3. ‘Bad Guy’ Formal
All black formalwear is awesome. Call it villain chic.
When everybody’s wearing the old-school white shirt and bowtie, stand out from the crowd in a black turtleneck under a badass dinner jacket.
The secret here is that this mock-neck “sweater” is actually a spandex-blend workout piece with Uniqlo’s “heattech technology”, probably meant for jogging outdoors.
Ironically, the fitted torso and fabric sheen make it look formal. It’s also super comfortable and keeps you cool and dry – perfect for a long night of drinking and dancing. Who knew a $9 shirt that comes in a ziplock bag could be so versatile?
Also, don’t forget the cummerbund! Even if you’re not wearing a traditional dinner shirt, it’s a sleek way to keep the waistline/gut in check.
Black plain-toe loafs are a great investment.
A pair like this can be worn for formal events, to the office, or on the weekend.
- Black chesterfield overcoat by Brooks Brothers Black Fleece
- Black fitted turtleneck by Uniqlo
- Black perforated velvet dinner jacket by Michael Andrews Bespoke (Cloth by Ariston C079/3)
- Watch by Montblanc Timewalker Automatic (42mm)
- Grosgrain cummerbund (vintage)
- Charcoal trousers (part of suit) by Michael Andrews Bespoke
- Black leather loafers by Bally
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Yours in style,
TSBmen
Photography by Alex Crawford.
Check out more of his work at alexcrawfordphotography.com.
23 Comments Add a comment
Look #3 needs some malevolent mustache twirling.
“Under armor” formalwear? You’re full of surprises, Dan.
2nd look is totally badass – need to get me some jewelry
The Paul Smith boots are sick, i see you wearing them in a few posts, but cant find them anywhere! Any ideas? Keep doing what you do , this is the only website I stay up on..
Hey Dan,
Any tips for cheap watches similar to your MontBlanc? It’s sweet but pretty steep for a college senior like me.
Thanks.
Hey Dan – long time reader, first time poster. Typically, I try to avoid black, even in winter months. I loved your posts on down vests, especially the burgundy coloured vest. I’ve been using these as layers under suit jackets, over jean jackets, etc and trying to limit the amount of time I wear my ‘boring’ black pea coat.
While I like the first two looks, I think the last look is a bit much. Is it just me or do the ‘lapels’ (I’m not sure if this is the correct term) on the tux look too pronounced? I love suits with a lapel with the width of 1.5-2″, so perhaps that’s my bias.
While I’m a huge fan of your kicks, in look 3 I wasn’t feeling ‘em. Maybe I’m going old school, but your bass dovers would’ve kicked ass instead.
My 0.02 as always. Keep inspiring men everywhere with you and your team’s work.
-Chris
Post 3: #DressToKill #Epic
Excellent. Folk think they can’t wear all black because it’s “boring,” but it’s a simple matter of varying the textures as you stated. I’d personally have fun using this concept with other colors too, not just full black–although black is a safe zone to experiment first (if that made sense).
Never would’ve guessed the shirt in look #3 was a workout piece. Creative.
This post was made for me. I wore a lot of dark colors in high school (not because I was in any sort of cliche, I just wore that), so I have so many black basic items. It actually worked out for me because black is a fantastic base to build from. You can either mix and match blacks (like this), or you can make that “pop of color” really jump out.
I also really liked the monochromatic post you did a while ago, because if I wasn’t wearing blacks, I was wearing browns and blues. My wardrobe has diversified greatly since then, but it’s good to know my simpler tastes won’t go to waste.
You can’t beat black. It is badass.
I have always loved the richness and sophistication of black, but I just don’t feel comfortable/confident in it. Stems from my lack of black footwear, which I can never seem to buy, black shoes just always look too strong for me. Now those black loafers have a more laid back vibe. Could be just the piece I need to get me “back in black” haha. Another killer post, great inspiration Dan!
I am in the exact same boat. Working with Dan and shooting this post has got me rethinking black. Now I’m on the prowl for some inexpensive black chelsea boots.
MI PIACE MOLTO I TOTAL BLACK
This is totally making me rethink black. Great job at showing the subtle shifts in tone and texture!
Dan,
You’re continuing to crush it. I love it. Please drop me an email, I run a bespoke shop in Boston and would love to do something together real soon.
Best,
Chris
Lately, I’m either wearing almost all black (with grey and sometimes a white shirt) or almost nothing black! I think I’ll steal my father’s black db jacket and it’s your fault!
I like that longer cardigan, it almost looks like a scarf on some shots!
Also, a uniqlo heattech turtleneck with black tie? Who would have guessed? Ultimate high/low (beats your previous dinner jacket/tank top). Plus, villain chic sounds awesome!
I really like look #1. That overcoat is beautiful.
In look no 1: is it ok to put a db coat on top of a db jacket? Aren’t there too many layers around the waist?
Yup. Not in my opinion – they’re both cut fairly trim.
Look #2 is so awesome. I always save the pics when you wear that lightweight topcoat. I really like it! In my head, the concept seems so strange—is it like a dark lab coat? Isn’t it silly looking? Feminine? But no, it clearly works really well.
haha thanks Kiel. One of my favorite pieces, I have the same one in navy.
Featured two years ago here: http://tsbmen.com/3092/tip-of-the-day-topcoat-it-all-off/4/
Cheers
Dan, I love the loafers in look #3.
What is the string on the jacket in that pic?
Thanks Tim.
I couldn’t find the toggle-button for the jacket (as describe here) so I just tied it with a silver chain.
Cheers.
Ha, based on your previous posts, I wore all black today.
Black suit, dress shirt,sweater vest,shoes, sox, undies and overcoat.
If I had a guitar people would call me Johnny Cash (I’m alot younger-btw).
I love the casual look.
I like wearing black sweaters with faded jeans and boots and my peacoat. Great look.
Thanks.