Quote:
Originally posted by Shape Shifter
Okay, this may be totally outable, but I live in Houston, and my gf lives in Austin. I am planning to move to Austin, but have not found suitable employment there yet. Nevertheless, I travel to Austin most weekends, and I am in Austin now.
We are attending some charity event, the Heart Ball (ball, heh) tomorrow night. I just found out that it is black tie. I did not bring a tux with me. I have a midnight blue Calvin Klein 3 button suit with me. I brought a red tie with a subtle pattern, thinking this would be Valentiney, but obviously it is not black.
Can I cure this by buying a more formal tie, like something silver or white (again, not black, but whatever) and monochromatic? Should I call the rental (gasp) places to see if they can do a same-day job? Should I stay at home and prepare for the Super Bowl? Are actual fashion questions discussed on this board?
|
I go to more of these things than I care to count. There are always a handful of people who for whatever reason don't wear black tie, and they always stand out. Do what bold'n'brazen suggests, but ONLY if you're totally comfortable with it. You have an iron clad excuse ("I live in another city, last minute invite") and you will be forgiven for the fashion error, but only to people who you explain it to. If you're going to be self-concious about it, skip the event and get ready for the Superbowl. That said, the Heart Ball generally is a lot of fun (I have a soft spot for cardiologists), and it'd be a shame to miss it if you're into that sort of thing.
Your girlfriend needs a reminder that you need warning on these things and/or that she needs to only accept invitations to visual art functions. Starving artists don't own/wear tuxes, so no one makes the artist events black tie.
Disease functions are always stuffy, though the silent auctions are generally good. Though if I recall correctly, the Heart Ball here in Houston always has some breathtaking red gowns, and the dancing is usually pretty fun. Disease functions are almost always black tie. Symphony, opera and ballet functions are almost always black tie. Theater functions could go either way depending on size and audience (TUTS blacktie, IBP probably not, Alley could go either way).
ETadd things in the above and A: Shelby Hodges has a nice guide for figuring out variuos party attires, and she points out that the Heart Ball (at least here) is a splashy event:
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory...shodge/2761847
