We have officially entered Black Tie Season if the number of customers coming to see us for tuxedos is anything to go by. For men, black tie is relatively straightforward - dinner jacket, dress trousers, white Marcella shirt and bow tie. For ladies, a disproportionate amount of time is spent on deciding what dress or gown to wear. In some cases, copying the guys and opting for a 'Le Smoking' style tuxedo is a fantastic option, but for most, it's all about the dress. Few give quite as much consideration to the coat. And why should they you say, the coat is worn for only a fraction of the time. But the mistake here is that the fraction one is talking about - the arriving at the venue - is without question the most important sliver of time of the whole evening. The arrival is where first impressions are made. It is that tentative moment of meeting and greeting, remembering names, offering handshakes and introductions. It is the moment where eyes scan and opinions are formed, and it is invariably the moment that you are wearing a coat.
