Funny this about black tie events, wearing the black tie always seems to give one a headache the morning after!!
It is noticeable that among all the changes that have taken place in the variety of menswear that's available and men's changing attitudes towards their clothing, some things remain constant. Men's jackets still button the opposite way to women's but there's more to it than that.
When a couple are going to a formal evening social event it's still so much easier for the man than the woman. She will agonise, probably for hours, over what dress to wear and then over the appropriate accessories. She'll ask her partner for his opinion at various stages and he'll probably give carefully non-committal replies. If the lady has a fairly extensive wardrobe she'll change her mind several times.
How different it is for the man! He knows as soon as he sees the words, "Black Tie" or, "Dress, Formal" on the ticket or invitation, exactly what he's going to wear. The dinner jacket and it's traditional accompaniments are still with us albeit changed a bit here and there in style. It's still the uniform for the man going to a "bit of a do".
So much for a formal occasion but what about all the rest of the time when a man needs less formal attire. Then the choices in menswear are all there for him to express himself in whatever way he wishes so he will have decisions to make.
We don't only have to dress for our social lives of course. What about work? Well here again we men have it much easier than our female counterparts especially in offices. A woman will find it necessary to wear a different ensemble to the office, if not every day, at least pretty frequently and certainly vary according to the season. A man will wear the same suit or trousers to work day in day out changing only his shirt, and think nothing of it and neither will anyone else. If he has to wear a tie he may change that frequently but that's it!
Having said all that obviously styles and fashions in menswear do change quite a lot each year but the basic principles stay the same. Waistcoats come and go and colours change in popularity. Ties are rapidly going out of favour just now and so on. Trousers, shirts and jackets change style and cut but we still wear them.
With the range of menswear available you really want to find somewhere where it's all there in one place if you can. After all most men hate shopping anyway. Well there is such a place and it's in your home. It's your computer. Use it to go on to the internet and it's all there for you. You can find and buy what you want and enjoy a cold beer at the same time.
Being the helpful sort of people we are we've gathered together a few sites here to help make it easier still. Just use the links and Bob's your uncle!
Burtons are still there at www.burton.co.uk or how about www.designermenswear.com . www.bagitup.co.uk is another. Why not have a look at www.premierman.com if you're a big chap or www.jacamo.com .
www.chums.co.uk might suit you or www.chukkaclothing.com .
It's a great way to buy stuff and it doesn't feel like shopping at all really! Go for it and make the most of it!