New Years Black Tie on the Semi Cheap

**S Mitchell** · 18th January 14, 09:58 PM

This year (last year?) my wife and I dressed up for a New Year's Eve party.

I'd previously purchased my 8yrd kilt from USA Kilts around Thanksgiving, and I had a pair of solid, claret hose and my Air Force issue Oxfords. And I'd also bought the hunting sporran and the belt buckle from USA Kilts.

But I didn't have a jacket or a tie or a formal shirt.

So, I crawled ebay.

I'd read of a couple of members here wearing mess jackets and I found one in my size, an Air Force officer's mess jacket, for 40 dollars and I snatched it up. I had to have the silver cuff braids removed and I had some vintage cloth buttons from etsy put on in place of the USAF pewter buttons. The tailor was supposed to remove the shoulder board loops too, but she didn't. No one at the party even noticed them. The jacket is Midnight blue. I decided not to go with a vest since I was already pushing the formality level of the party I'd be attending.

I bought a black, silk self-tie bow tie on Amazon for 15 dollars. Then I went on google and learned to tie it. It's not as tricky as you might think.

The tuxedo shirt I got for 99 cents on ebay! It's a Michelson's of London; the collar is a bit too big, but hey, 99 cents. Next year I'll get a better fitting shirt.

The studs and cufflinks are carbon fiber and were a gift from my wife. I love them.

Here's the whole outfit:

Click image for larger version.

Name: blacktie.jpg
Views: 88
Size: 65.1 KB
ID: 16396

Here's my wife and I before heading out:

Click image for larger version.

Name: blacktie2.jpg
Views: 105
Size: 126.2 KB
ID: 16397

As I said in another post, we were definitely overdressed, but we knew the hosts and knew they would enjoy it and be happy we made the effort. It was a great evening.

**ASinclair** · 18th January 14, 10:15 PM

Very smart outfit, Steve! And that's a great picture of you and your lovely wife. Thanks for sharing.

**S Mitchell** · 18th January 14, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by ASinclair

Very smart outfit, Steve! And that's a great picture of you and your lovely wife. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you, Allen and you're welcome!

Half the fun of dressing up to go out is sharing the experience with my wife. I'm a lucky man.

**McMurdo** · 18th January 14, 10:33 PM

Great looking outfit, well done. The best accessory is your lovely wife in the 2nd photo.

**mookien** · 18th January 14, 11:12 PM

Steve: Nice job tying that bow tie, and what a great looking shirt at any price. Your entire outfit looks great! And so does your lovely wife. Congratulations!

John

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 19th January 14, 12:57 AM

Steve, I have to give you 10 out of 10 for your exceptionally well done "budget black tie outfit". It just proves that a guy doesn't have to be made of money to look smart and dress well.

**Downunder Kilt** · 19th January 14, 01:11 AM

You have achieved an excellent result on a budget. I cannot tell from your pics that the shirt collar was a tad large, in fact, nothing worse than a collar a tad small that you are tugging at all night. Really well done.