[David Myers]

Please advise about the appropriate lapel color for a bespoke midnight blue tuxedo. If the "facings" are midnight blue (and the jetted pocket edges, and the buttons), does one have to find or have made an identically colored cummerbund and tie, or will a black silk bow tie "work"? Even with a black silk bowtie, would not a black cummerbund appear slightly mismatched next to midnight blue facings?

True midnight blue is so close to black, and the facings provide a different sheen, that perhaps black facings would work equally well. In that case it would seem reasonable to wear a black silk cummerbund with a black silk bowtie, and these are far more available.

I thank you for your advice in advance.

D. Myers

P.S. Does anyone know what color the Prince of Wales used for his facings when he first tried midnight blue for his dinner jacket?

 

[joshuagb]

Anyone?

I actually have the very same question. Anyone care to elaborate? Do midnight blue tuxedos get black facings? Do you wear a black tie with it? Are the button facings black? What about shoes? Can I wear some midnight blue shoes (just kidding)?

 

[harrybee]

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[Will]

Midnight blue dinner jackets should have black lapels and be worn with a black tie.

 

[manton]

Actually, you could go either way. However, good luck finding midnight blue facings in this day and age. I hear it's not impossible, but I can't remember the last time I saw any.

 

[Will]

If you get blue facings either your tie won't match your facings or you won't be wearing a black tie.

A small thing perhaps, but that's what this stuff is all about.

 

[manton]

Get a midnight blue tie. But, again, good luck finding one.

(And, FWIW, I am not such a stickler about ties precisely matching facings. Because they are inevitably made from different silks, there is bound to be some variation between the two no matter what.)

 

[joshuagb]

Actually, you could go either way. However, good luck finding midnight blue facings in this day and age. I hear it's not impossible, but I can't remember the last time I saw any.

I was researching fabrics for a made-to-measure dinner suit, and my clothier presented me with a silk grosgrain fabric that was thought to be black. Upon closer inspection in natural light, I discovered it was actually midnight blue.

 

[joshuagb]

Get a midnight blue tie. But, again, good luck finding one.

(And, FWIW, I am not such a stickler about ties precisely matching facings. Because they are inevitably made from different silks, there is bound to be some variation between the two no matter what.)

I think Thomas Pink sells a midnight blue tie, and I seem to remember seeing a Jack Spade one too in a magazine last December (GQ maybe?). The tough part here would be finding the cummerbund. But I suppose you could just have a vest/waistcoat made instead in the midnight blue.

 

[suds-okeefe]

I actually have the very same question. Anyone care to elaborate? Do midnight blue tuxedos get black facings? Do you wear a black tie with it? Are the button facings black? What about shoes? Can I wear some midnight blue shoes (just kidding)?

This thread inspired my own choice of mid-night blue. It could shed some light on your Qs.

 

[southbound35]

This thread inspired my own choice of mid-night blue. It could shed some light on your Qs.

I always wondered what became of the venerable, yet highly controversial FNB.

 

[iammatt]

Midnight blue dinner jackets should have black lapels and be worn with a black tie.

This is what I just ordered for my DJ. I was between black and blue facings with black tie but decided that black would be better.

 

[joshuagb]

Preference, black or blue?

So what is everyone's preference?

1. Black with black facings?
2. Blue with black facings?
3. Blue with blue facings?

And most important, what would the real James Bond wear? j/k

Seriously, I really wish I could see each one of these in the same photo under the evening light to judge which looks best.

 

[Will]

If it's your first one, personally I'd get black peak lapel with waistcoat. You can use the trousers with a smoking jacket or with a white jacket should you have reason to wear one in warm weather.

A blue DB with black facings makes a good second jacket. The trousers are somewhat less useful, in my opinion.