Best shirt for black tie event?

[kingandrew]

I second the advice to consult the Black Tie Guide website, which has excellent and thorough information on all aspects of dressing up for men.

Here's the URL: www.blacktieguide.com

I also heartily concur that you want a tie you tied yourself. Beau Ties of Vermont has a good selection of Christmas themed ties.

At the moment I wear a fairly standard formal shirt from Jos. A Bank, with my mother o' pearl studs. Sometime I will go all out and order one of those washable stiff-bib shirts with the detachable wing collars from Darcy Clothing.

http://www.darcyclothing.com/shop/sh2291.html

With your Prince Charlie and kilt you will look smashing at any formal affair.

Have a great time!

Andrew

[Taskr]

I concur on the fold down collar. Practically, they can also be more comfortable. I have onyx/MOP reversible studs and usually choose which to turn out on a whim rather than any real choice. I do find the onyx looks a bit sharper.

[Jack Daw]

I prefer a pleated front, fold-down collar, and requiring studs/cufflinks. It's old-fashioned as I am.

[figheadair]

Fold down col,ar with Marcella front is the preferred version for ma y here in the UK.

[Zardoz]

Most highland wear sources I'm familiar with recommend a plain front shirt, which I like better than pleated anyway. Collar is personal choice, I prefer the 'victorian' style to the modern wingtip or fall collars. I also prefer plain plackets, no visible buttons.

Sorry I don't have a clearer pic of the collar area

[Steve Ashton]

I'm going to agree here.

Black Tie on the invitation means Tuxedo or tuxedo equivalent. That means you wear a Prince Charlie Coatee with 3 button vest or cummerbund.

The only shirt is a tux shirt. The difference between a tux shirt and dress shirt is that a tux shirt does not have buttons in the front or at the cuffs. You use studs and cufflinks. Most guides say that the studs and cufflinks should be the same. (Leave the fancy cufflinks for your French or rolled cuff dress shirts.)

There are basically three different collars on tux shirts. Stand-and-Fall like a dress shirt - Wing - and removable. Which you choose is personal preference.

And today the pleated front shirts are gone. Never mind the ruffled shirts of the 70's.

For a really formal look the front of the shirt will have a placket starched board stiff.

And I would not use a red bow tie to a black tie invitation event. If I wanted to add a holiday theme to my tux I would use a red satin or silk cummerbund. With the pleats pointing up to hold your tickets.

[ThistleDown]

In the UK a tuxedo is referred to as a dinner suit. The appropriate shirt today is a Marcello, worn with studs as Steve says. The tie is always a black bow. If a cummerbund is worn then that replaces a waistcoat.