I am glad you asked me that.


Actually I have a couple blue DJs, one with black facings one with blue.

I had a bow tie and a cummerbund made up in the same midnight blue silk fabric. You really cannot wear a black bowtie with the midnight blue facings, looks really bad. You may not want a cummerbund, but get at least one and maybe two bowties made. Also, I shouldve gotten a vest made of the silk facing material. if you dont go that route and get a 3 piece dinner jacket, then make sure the lapels of the vest are in the matching silk.

I dont know whos making the DJ for you but  please make sure or have the silk people receive a swatch of the wool in order to match the facings from the proper fabric lot. My midnight blue silk matches the wool of the jacket perfectly. Yours should also match perfectly.

One other item. To be honest, i prefer black facings on midnight blue DJs, after all if the facings in midnight blue match perfectly, and they must, who's going to know its blue? Contrary to popular misconception, you want people to know your DJ is blue. All that straining to prove midnight blue looks black is the purview of the compulsive neurotic. However, if you like the all blue its fine. it will look blue and that should be a source of well dressed enjoyment not worry that someone wont think its black.

A couple of guys in my family have midnight blue tuxes (er...dinner jackets), but I don't.  Though I've got an older Brooks 1 buttton peak model (though I dig the shawl), that would make Harris's world spin.  It was probably made before he was in college and it has.....forward pleated trousers, and, if I recall correctly, darts.

Since this thread is up I wanted to get all y'all's opinion on two things:  first, do you agree that the cumberbund is superfluous?  I usually don't wear one.  Just keep the jacket closed.  Though I'd love to get one of Budd's proper wrap-around cumberbunds.   The old school owner of the Andover Shop used to say that there was no need for the cumberbund, and I still agree.  If I'm going to wear something in its stead, I'd go with a formal black waistcoat.  Second, what do you think about calf v. patent leather pumps for black-tie.  I remember there was much debate previously about this.  I reckon that box calf preceded patent leather, but I still rather fancy the patents.  What say ye?

Last edited by Horace (2006-06-03 01:21:29)

Hermes scarves are also very nice. I have several sets of scarves tucked away for various jacket projects. I do want to mention that the jacket material should be very soft so as not to fight the scarves. A flannel with cashmere or worsted cashmere is ideal. The barathea is an exception because, although soft but quite soft enough, it is worn infrequently and the fighting is not a concern.

Last edited by The_Shooman (2006-06-05 00:14:03)

Incredible tuxedo, just stunning.

FNB, do you wear a black tie with the blue dj with black facings?

Last edited by Coolidge (2006-07-05 14:35:38)

I've never really noticed that midnight blue looks "blacker than black" in artifical light.  Who was the first to assert such in print?  (and from whom everone forever after has parroted?)