I’m going to call that a success. On Wednesday this week we organised Christmas drinks for friends and readers, closing down the Piccadilly Arcade, and everyone seemed to have a grand old time.

We hosted together with Budd, Yard O Led, New & Lingwood and Edward Green, with drinks from Justerini & Brooks and Lagavulin. The 26-year-old Lagavulin and mulled wine went down particularly well.

The idea was to hold an event where everyone had an excuse to bring out their eveningwear, whether black tie, cocktail attire or just elegant tailoring: to put it in a welcoming setting and to celebrate its rich, beautiful variety.

People really made an effort. I estimate 75% wore black tie in some form, and most of the rest were in great tailoring. It felt like a real celebration.

Below are some of the outfits we liked in particular. There was lovely straight black tie of course, but also some great variations - jewel-coloured velvet jackets, western influences, tartan and black watch.

I’d say the main ways people varied black tie effectively were:

  • Using velvet smoking jackets to bring in strong colour
  • Using silk jackets for pattern
  • Drawing on regional dress, such as Western, Scottish or Indian clothing
  • Wearing black outerwear in materials such as suede or shearling
  • Using accessories like silk scarves, hats or jewellery for small touches
  • Wearing all black, and concentrating on textural variation

I have to say I really enjoyed it all, particularly when I overheard people swapping notes on cloths, tailors or other makers.

Thank you to all our partners, and to everyone that came out on a drizzly evening to celebrate with us.

Cheers!