Of those accessories that have been mainly linked to stylish menswear garments, the dinner jacket – also known as tuxedo – has due to its cut and use of luxurious materials. It was manufactured from black or midnight blue wool and has either satin/grosgrain collar. Dinner jacket has now been associated with class and sophistication to those putting on the outfit. Today’s it is widely accepted as a part of black-tie dress code, the dinner jacket goes back more than a century of how formal wear has been styled.
Past and Origin of Dinner Jackets
The coat that one would associate with the dinner was first seen in Britain in 19th century but as a less formal piece of garment than the tailcoat. The previous Prince of Wales Edward VII ordered something less formal for his official restaurant for personal entertaining. He make a short black jacket with silk facings in order to have a removal from the formal tailcoats. It was taken up by the British aristocracy as soon as it came to the marketplace.
It crossed over to America towards the eve of the twentieth century and became particularly popular in Tuxedo Park, New York whence it derives its name. In the early part of the 1900s it come of age as a favored style amongst the aristocracy and celebrities of the day such as Hollywood legends Cary Grant and it became institutionally accepted in the required style of men’s suits.
How to Wear a Dinner Jacket
Wearing a dinner jacket involves several details:
- Fit: The jacket should fit closely, with an accentuated shoulder line, though always displaying clean-cut lines.
- Shirt: The white dress shirt is classic and can have a pleated front or piqué, usually with a wingtip collar.
- Bow Tie: The traditional bow tie would normally be black for a smart finish.
- Trousers: It was expected that trousers should be made of the same fabric as jacket, and mostly in the same color as the jacket. There is a satin stripe that goes up near the out seam of each leg.
- Shoes: Black patent leather shoes or polished Oxfords complete the outfit and maintain the ensemble formal.
What Made Dinner Jackets Popular
The dinner jacket has grown synonymous with a suave and debonair image courtesy of stars such as Humphrey Bogart and James Bond played by Sean Connery and Daniel Craig. Its continued use in classic and modern films has managed to make it an eternal style icon. Celebrities wearing dinner jackets to events like the Oscars and Met Gala keep the tradition going strong, adapting it yet keeping the quintessential elegance of it alive.
Dinner Jackets Used in Portraying a Particular Image
It does not only refer to a material object, worn by people, it stands for nobility and exquisite taste. A dinner jacket impart a spirit of neat workmanship and adherence to etiquette and protocol. It is usually worn on those occasions that are very formal, in which the wearers establish the right mood of sophistication and style that they consider is important. Still, the dinner jacket is now worn in modern contexts, and people design it with velvet materials and other different patterns.
What to Wear with Dinner Jackets
It is very much important that these are complemented with accessories that go along with the dinner jacket, including:
- Vest or Cummerbund: These smoothen the transition from jacket to trousers, adding that extra layer of formality.
- Pocket Square: A white pocket square provides a classic touch that is balanced by subtle pattern work that can bring in personal style.
- Cufflinks: Cufflinks add that touch of sophistication, hence completing the elegant look.
Wrapping Up
The mens dinner jacket remains an ageless creation by merging tradition with modern elegance. From the aristocracy of Britain to Hollywood’s red carpet, it must surely be a staple of style across the ages. Worn traditionally or put with a modern twist, the dinner jacket is one of those choices to exude class and sophistication-proving true style never fades.
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