Ghost of a flea: Le Smoking

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December 19, 2006

Le Smoking

Writing for the Associated Press, Samantha Critchell argues the merits of tuxedos for women.

Special occasions require special-occasion clothes - and many people treat New Year's Eve as if it's the biggest, most important night of the year. So, if there's ever an evening to pluck the tuxedo from the back of your closet, this is probably it.

That means women, too.

Tuxedos, or at least "tuxedo- inspired" pieces, have been all over the runways and red carpets as black-tie fashion took a 180-degree turn from embellished glittery gowns to, well, black ties. Kate Moss and Kate Winslet are among the celebrities photographed in tux looks this year. It's a style that sees ebbs and flows in popularity but hasn't really completely fallen out of favor since Yves Saint Laurent introduced Le Smoking tuxedo in 1966.

Let's face facts. A woman of sufficient beauty and grace can wear anything and be mesmerizing; even in as masculine a garment as a tuxedo. Certainly, Kate Moss made the look look effortless in her recent Vanity Fair shoot. But Critchell is understating the effect with even so grand a pedigree as Le Smoking... for the real classic we have to set the wayback machine to Marlene Dietrich.

In related news: Daniel Craig's Bond tuxedo raised £12,000 for a children's charity. Bless.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at December 19, 2006 07:04 AM

Comments

When women resort to the Tuxedo, then that's the time for the right man to resort to the bonnie prince charlie coatee, jabot shirt, waistcoat, appropriate sporran, shoes & hose and of course the modernized Plaide.

Which reminds me, I shall have to forgo my Victorian English frippery for some of my Victorian themed scottish frippery when I attend the ballet this christmas season with the above appropriate clothes. Naturally, the Kilt is a Graham as opposed to Connery's above MacClean of Duart plaid.

Posted by: Montieth at December 19, 2006 11:20 AM

An excellent plan even if kilts and such are off the table for me. My plan would be to go more Flea than Flea. The full-on Deadwood look may not be more formal than an woman in a tux but being displaced in time the preterite wonder of eldritch gulfs and non-Euclidean space would once again work to my favour. Also, Liberty cufflinks.

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at December 19, 2006 11:53 AM

Why cannot the Flea wear a kilt? There are a great many scots what settled in Canada and there are several stores in Canada that I saw had kilts for sale at reasonable prices. A surplus Gordon Highlander's kilt and other accessories would serve you well I think. What's the big surplus store there on Younge (Central Surplus I think)? They had several kilts there when I was in last (admittedly several years ago).

Posted by: Montieth at December 19, 2006 07:54 PM

Due to not being a Scot much as I love the bagpipes and Auchentoshan. Excellent shock troops too so cheers for that part especially. Now, where did my valet get to; these boots won't shine themselves! (Adjusts monocle.)

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at December 19, 2006 07:59 PM

I would love to get my hands on Daniel Craig's pants . . . while he's in them, that is. ;-)

Posted by: agent bedhead at December 19, 2006 08:35 PM

Lowering the tone!!

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at December 19, 2006 10:59 PM

Eons ago, in the early seventies, I remember Jane Birkin doing a photo shoot for Yves St-Laurent's (I think) most recent menswear collection. She forever changed my perception. I now believe that anything we can wear, women can wear better. I wish I had photos to share but Google yielded nothing.

Posted by: Elvis at December 20, 2006 03:49 AM

Surely you qualify for the use of the tartan of the nation of Ontarianada: http://www.scotlandshop.net/designertartanclothing/ontariotartan.php

Posted by: Alan McLeod at December 20, 2006 10:01 AM

I have been showing iron discipline with this kilt business thus far but if you gentlemen keep pushing it I am bound to fail one of these Willpower rolls...

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at December 20, 2006 10:10 AM

Think of the highland-y accessories! If you need a clean conscience on such matters, I can put a word in with the chief to have clan MacFlea recognized as a sept of one.

Posted by: Alan McLeod at December 20, 2006 12:06 PM

If I get my own sept it is a whole new story... Or just possibly my own Flea-ish tartan.

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at December 20, 2006 12:13 PM