THE POWER OF THE BROCADE JACKET: 4 DIFFERENT STYLES.

Donning a bespoke brocade dinner jacket, matching vests, classic tux pants, a tailor-made Gigi Burris hat, and deluxe sunglasses, Mahershala Ali dressed down the Oscars last year. When he took to the stage to accept his well-deserved academy award for Green Book, his acceptance speech was not the only statement he made that night. His luxurious sense of style, which came as no surprise really, made a sharper statement and met the party with sheer class.

Well, you could be Mahershala Ali this evening, or the next. Just that this time, your Oscars is an exotic invite-only cocktail party, a friend’s wedding dinner, an award ceremony, or a high-end dinner party in one of Nairobi’s finest hotels.

So you’ve singled out your sleek brocade dinner jacket, and it’s patiently hanging on your wardrobe awaiting its first or next adventure. Being a man whose style is bold, profound, and aesthetic, you are determined to score another point fashion-wise and you will. Fortunately, you are only a point away. You have everything you need, and there’s only one part remaining-styling. What are some ways you can wear and accessorize your brocade dinner jacket and shake up things at the dinner party as you always do?

1. Not Feeling the Dark Vibe? Go Blue Instead.

Show me what’s more stylish than a head-to-toe blue ensemble, worn by a gentleman who naturally exudes class and sophistication. Midnight blue, in particular, is a go-to red-carpet look for many A-list celebrities. But you are a celebrity in your own right, making the blue brocade dinner a winner.  Matched with a classic pair of blue, velvet loafers, brace yourself for some well-deserved stares from those sassy Nairobi ladies who will never admit they were looking in your direction.

If matching colors top-down is off the limits for you, then pair your sleek blue dinner jacket with stunning black tuxedo pants.  Maybe you are not like my friend Joe, who loves turning heads from the word go. We like to call him the life of the party, and he is. Pairing a blue dinner jacket with black pants will help you stand out, and remain low key at the same time.

Blue ranks high in formal wear, especially if you are aiming for a casual and relaxed vibe. This look is especially more befitting for relaxed dinner parties.

2. Black Brocade Jacket With Black Tie.

Every time I’m reading an event invitation and it reads wear formal attire with a black-tie, I get excited for a while, then I start thinking about my special attire. Let’s face it; black-tie events are the powerhouse of fashion and this is where men love to go all out. Usually, we reserve these events for exiting formal wear and maybe this evening is one such opportunity. You could be expecting to nab an award, or maybe you are going on a romantic skylarking with Mrs. Right. 

A black brocade jacket, black tie combo is perfect proof that you are not new to the fashion game. Pull out your most elegant ensemble this evening by experimenting with contrasting colors for your dinner jacket and pants. For example, go blue and black or maroon-black. 

For the bowtie, make sure it is black and tied perfectly as the black-tie rules dictate. This will help you achieve a dynamic, ravishing look. A touch of velvet slipper and winged-collar dress shirt should complete the look perfectly. Now there’s one more thing you need to wear and you’ll be no stranger to a royal look-Confidence.

3. Think Outside The Box: Accessorize Your Patterned Brocade Jacket With A Hat.

If you are anything like me, then you don’t mind expressing your bold and exciting personality through your style. If this is the case, then you probably have a penchant for patterns, prints, and bold, speaking accessories. 

Leave your signature on a traditional brocade dinner jacket by wearing a patterned style. This could mean a striped, printed, or checked jacket paired with plain or equally patterned pants.

Bold brocade colors like maroon or golden would be the perfect fit for the evening. For accessories, the not- so- elusive hat will be an accentuating trademark. Being the brocade jacket top dog, showing up in a Derby or fedora hat will not only win you fashion respect, but it will also win your hearts too. Just like Mahershala Ali, we’ll be talking about you even a year later.

4. The Shoe Game.

They say a man’s shoes speak for him, and I can profoundly uphold it as true. When it comes to brocade dinner jackets, sleek shoes will help to bring out your A-game, and please don’t screw it.  For formal wear evening events, one thing you should know is that your every-day office shoes are highly unwelcome. Remember, you want to make a sharp. The formal statement, while still retaining your off-the-office luxurious vibe.

For shoes, your options are quite a number. Loafers and velvet slippers are the ultimate choices for elegant brocade jackets, but you can always experiment. For something bold and patent, and if you are daring enough, throw fashion rules out of your closet window and pull out your trainers. 

Stay away from suede shoes, unless you want your shoes to appear dusty under lighting. For your socks, try not to stray away from the standard evening socks. If you don’t mind meeting the party with some exciting controversy, pull out colored socks, although this is usually reserved for masters.

If worn right, the brocade dinner jacket is one iconic fashion statement. Evening events are ideal for highlighting your favorite and most elegant looks, especially when this cool Nairobi weather complies. You can now unleash your exquisite brocade dinner jacket, pick your look for the evening, and allow everyone else to take fashion notes when you step out.