subject: Summer Style In Black Tie [print this page] Formal men's fashion is rarely synonymous with comfort; the typical black tie formal ensemble is hardly wearable during the summer months and in warmer climes. But the rising mercury is no reason for you to choose between style and comfort, especially when you can get both in one fell swoop. A couple of the rules in men's fashion might have to get bent, yes, but you can bet that the tenets of good style will remain fully intact for you.
Do Some Deviation
The key to creating some breathing room in stuffy black tie without offending your host lies in sticking to the prescribed dress code as closely as possible, and then changing one or two small details in your outfit. Your modifications need not be so large or grandiose, but they can matter a lot if all you want is a little added comfort in the heat.
Start with the typical tux and shirt combo, only this time leave the bow tie out of the mix. Maintain the pocket square, a true sartorial status symbol, and aim for a tuxedo shirt with contrast buttons so that there's a pop of color in your outfit. Leave the button at the collar open so you'll be just a tiny bit more sweat-proof than the other men in attendance.
Alternatively, you could also take the route of suit separates and stray away from the oft taken path of pants that match your tux jacket. Black tuxedos can work equally well in the summer when worn with pants in gray or dark, dark black that's just a few shades off. Cotton or denim give you some added comfort throughout the program, as well as a bit of a rakish edge that suddenly becomes permissible, even cool, at warmer weather events.
Color It Cool
Runway men's fashion for spring and summer is often marked by more generous use of color. You can use that same style philosophy to keep a less formal black tie outfit from seeming too casual to be at the event. It's a crucial element that helps the host to overlook the fact that you're violating some of the more traditional aspects of black tie fashion.
Black isn't the only color available for tuxedo jackets. White, in fact, is often seen as one of the most appropriate hues for warm-weather fetes. If you want to add a more modern edge to your outfit, bypass the white and reach for a jacket in near-white shades of pale blue or pink. Worn with equally modern (read: slim cut) pants, a solid shirt and no bow tie, it makes for a more comfortable and extremely subtle style statement.
Conventional wisdom in men's fashion demands a monochromatic palette when dressing for black tie. Warmer weather, on the other hand, suggests something brighter and lighter than somber old black and white. For starters, swap out your plain white tux shirt for one with a little color, such as light or pale powder blue. Match it with a pocket square that's a bit bolder with the color and you have a sartorially cool and colorful combination.
White shirts are not obsolete at black tie events, though. You could also change the titular black tie for one that's a little happier and upbeat, such as a checked or printed bow tie. As long as you keep away from the novelty bow ties, smiley faces are a crime against fashion regardless of the temperature, you will look crisp, not colorblind.
Accessories for the event should be just as non-conformist as you are. Though you could stick with the usual black tie standard of noir patent lace-ups, the same shoes in white are also allowable, especially with a white tux jacket. More comfortable shoe options like boat shoes and loafers are also appropriate for the weather.
Dress codes are dress codes, however, and the admissibility of your outfit will change from case to case. Whenever you are going to change something about the typical black tie ensemble, be sure to check with your host first if it'll be okay for you to loosen things up a bit.
