Creative Formal...??? - Christopher's Custom

What the heck does this mean?

I have blogged about formal attire for weddings in the morning, afternoon, evening…but not “creative formal”.

In fact, this might be a new term…but I find myself faced with hosting a party where the birthday girl wants to wear a “pretty, summery, dress”. So…the dress attire code “creative formal” was chosen.

Women may wear cocktial dresses, silk pants with white or colorful halter tops, etc…women just don’t need help with what to wear…so…

Guys…here are my recommendations…

Black tie is for socializing. It is for relaxing, having a good time, drinking, dancing, and otherwise making merry with friends. It is NOT for work or business. (Props to the Style Forum for having posted this neat description.) hcttp://www.styleforum.net/t/309735/black-tie-casual

Let’s start with some basic building blocks and morph forward. “Formal” typically involves a black or midnight blue tuxedo, white shirt, black tie…or white dinner jacket. Creative Formal does NOT mean you have to wear a tux!

Let’s get creative and qualify that the party is on a summer, Saturday night at a home in the woods. If we just remember black/white…we can’t go wrong…from dark jeans/white shirt worn out over jeans to white jeans/black shirt…one will be dressed appropriately. If, on the other hand, a guy wants to step it up…

One can’t go wrong with a tux jacket…but I’d dress down the tux jacket by going sans tie. Try a pair of lighter jeans…or white jeans…or shorts…this is a fun, summer party!

This elegant tux jacket looks pretty good over those tattered jeans! Lose the tie or go with white tee! No socks…very cool outfit!

I don’t care for Kanye’s act but this is a cool outfit!

Now, for those without a white or black tux jacket:

Have a linen or seersucker suit or jacket? This would be a great alternative…roll up the sleeves and pick an idea from below.

My good friend, Jeffrey Ammeen rocks out in a seersucker (Haspel of course) and a pair of indigo jeans with white shirt…simple!

if interested, try a thrift shop…might be able to find a used tux jacket for <$10.

if not, do you have a sport coat? If yes, dress it , with old tux pants, black pants/jeans, or shorts. White shirt/bow tie…or black tee shirt ala Giorgio Armani works too…

For a “creative Formal” event, pair your sport coat with a white shirt or tee, dark jeans…and you can’t miss!

No jacket or jacket not your style?

Black pants with white shirt or white jeans with black shirt…shirt can be long sleeve, short sleeve, polo, or nicer tee. Jeans with a white collared shirt would be great…darker seems better for this occasion than worn or lighter blue. Use the torn, faded jeans with something dressier like a tux jacket or favorite sport coat!

This dark jean/ white shirt provides a basic look for “Creative Formal” .

Shoes…have fun! The funkier the better…sneakers with tux jacket! No real rules here but I’D stay from boots…sandals with tux jacket? Why not?

So…”Creative Formal” to me is an opportunity for guys to dress up a little or a lot…but keep it funky…here are a few more ways to take a tux jacket and funk it up!