Staff Picks: Event Dressing
Raymond Moseley, Clothing Advisor & Brand Specialist, talks us through his favourite new cocktail jackets and tuxedos deserving of the season’s most special events.
Throughout the calendar year, there are many special events one may attend, from black-tie galas to NYE bashes and beyond. And, whether you’re planning your dream wedding reception or hosting the ultimate TV show series finale, the life moments most important to you are always worth dressing up for.
Whatever you’ve got on your agenda, we always recommend speaking to Raymond, one of our most seasoned eventwear specialists, for his advice on what to wear when it’s time to look your best. Here, Raymond highlights a few of his favourite cocktail jackets and tuxedos.
Kent Shantung Silk Cocktail Jacket, Ralph Lauren Purple Label
I love a white cocktail jacket because they’ve got a certain timelessness about them. I remember when I was 16 my parents took me to Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados for New Years Eve, where there was live music and everyone dressed up — this was a big deal. My Dad wore a white dinner jacket (similar to this 100% Shantung silk one from Ralph Lauren) and I couldn’t imagine anything more elegant at the time.
New Plume Satin Lapel Virgin Wool Tuxedo, Brioni
Speaking of that night at the Sandy Lane Hotel, I also remember seeing actress Claudette Colbert dancing with a gentleman wearing a full tuxedo under the stars. It was truly amazing, like a movie, and that image has stayed with me since. This dark blue virgin wool tuxedo from Brioni gives me instant nostalgia for that night. The classic contrasting satin lapels and single-button closure will never go out of style, which means you’ll be able to create your own fond memories wearing this tuxedo for decades to come.
Shelton Velvet Cocktail Jacket, TOM FORD
Any garment made by TOM FORD will be designed with a hefty sense of the dramatic, and the bold designer always takes it one elegant step further with eventwear. The Shelton fit is a favourite for tuxedos and cocktail jackets, like this timeless velvet shawl-collared piece, which offers a flatteringly tailored slim cut. I particularly like the mid blue colour of this velvet jacket because it often appears darker than black in photographs (although we do have something similar in black too, if that’s more your style).
Shelton Wool-Mohair Tuxedo Jacket, TOM FORD
Also offered in the Shelton fit is this beautiful wool-mohair-blend tuxedo jacket in an elegant ivory colour. As you can tell, I’m a big fan of off-white eventwear because it simply never goes out of style. Wear this single-button, shawl-collared number pretty much anywhere and you’re guaranteed to steal the room. Match the colour with your trousers or contrast with a pair of black or midnight blue ones; either way, this look’s a winner.
Cashmere Silk Tuxedo Jacket, ZEGNA
For something slightly more modern, I’d recommend this cashmere-silk-blend cocktail jacket from ZEGNA. The dark blue has a subtle colour-changing effect that can almost appear dark green in certain lights (and looks nonetheless incredibly rich). The contrasting black peak lapels and semi-canvassed construction give this jacket a masculine character offset by the super-soft hand of this truly luxurious item.