What to wear for every event this season, from Thursday night drinks to black tie occasions …
Featured Image; George Clooney (wearing Giorgio Armani) and Amal Clooney (wearing Atelier Versace) brought glamour to the Clooney Foundation For Justice Inaugural Albie Awards.
What does “evening attire” mean in 2022? With Thursday night drinks at one end of the scale and glitzy black tie galas on the other, the rules and sartorial faux pas possibilities around evening dress codes can be daunting. Generally, a jacket is a must. If you’re breaking up a suit, you’ll need trousers that hold their own in the style stakes. Jeans, if they are well cut and inky blue, work with a smart belt. A fi ne knit and a pair of suede Derby or Chelsea boots will ensure you are reception ready. For a formal affair, a tuxedo is an investment piece that should last for ten years, if not longer. A carefully selected black dinner suit is an important purchase to get right. If you don’t want to spend too much, check out Zara Man’s online offering, it’s better than in-store. I recommend their black evening and tuxedo jackets, from €69.95, and bib-front cotton shirts, €39.95. Leave the pocket square at home.
Grey herringbone tweed blazer, €219, at Massimo Dutti, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 16.
Grey doublebreasted wool blazer, €1,400; www.loewe.com.
CUSTOM FIT Never underestimate the power of a made-to-measure suit. Arnotts has unveiled a new Magee 1866 menswear space with a dedicated made-to-measure area. This means customers have the opportunity to fully customise their chosen suit, in a luxury fabric and have it expertly altered by a tailor to fit perfectly. www.magee1866.com; www.arnotts.ie.
Grey check oversized wool-blend coat, €99.99, at H&M.
Indigo slim-fi t dry selvedge denim jeans, €160; www.apcstore.com.
Black Craftsman suede Chelsea boots, RM Williams, €480; www.mrporter.com.
DRESS SHOES Louis Copeland’s online shoe edit is impressive, from Magnanni’s leather lace-ups to Stemar’s smart monk shoes. Wear mid-calf or knee-length black socks with dress shoes as you don’t want a flash of fl esh when dressed up. www.louiscopeland.com.
Cartier Ballon Bleu, €6,725; www.weirandsons.ie.
DRESS WATCHES Sleek and minimally styled, a dress watch should never hog the spotlight. In general, they have a smaller, thinner case than other timepieces, so that they slide under the cuffs of a dress shirt. That means no diver bezels. Classic dress watches also have a leather strap, although some dress watches get away with a metal bracelet. Consider the Cartier Ballon Bleu. Cartier’s watchmakers are always at pains to explain they were jewellers before they were watchmakers. It is not about complications – design comes first. www.weirandsons.ie.
BOW TIES A classic bow tie is guaranteed to add gravitas to formal occasions. Forget pre-tied, it’s all about the hand tie. There are plenty of online tutorials to watch, then practice. Match your tie to the facing of the suit – satin with satin, silk with silk. Don’t be afraid to try velvet.
EVENING DRESS
Black slim-fit double-breasted blazer, €79.95; Zara.
Black shawl-collar blazer, €99.95; Zara.
White Marcella non-iron, slim-fit shirt, £95; www.smythandgibson.com.
Merlot braces, €25.95, at Zara.
Black silk bow tie, €20, at Marks & Spencer.
Black Finest No 6 merino wool and silk socks, €45; www.falke.com.
