The Baftas: 3 Star Ways to Go Black Tie_car_001

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Amongst all the glitz and glamour at the Bafta Awards last night, it was pretty hard to miss a relaxation in attitude to the usually quite strict black tie dress code. We think it’s pretty safe to say gone are the days of legions of men turning up with a sensationally dressed woman on his arm, all in identical tuxedos, dress shirts and ties as tradition was waived for a bit of pure personalisation.

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There were many different combinations of suit, shirt and tie but we’ve pulled out the three best to illustrate this shift in attitude. First under the microscope is Tropic Thunder star, Robert Downey Jr. who shunned the shades he wore at the Golden Globes last month and instead plumped for a slim tux jacket over a high-breaking waistcoat and a standard, dangly tie. His knot was fairly neat and suit crisp so he pulled off his look, even if the waistcoat is a little atypical. Noel Clarke, leading actor of Kidulthood and winner of the Orange Rising Star Award, was treading the fine line between formality and informality with an open neck and loosely tied scarf. Where he did pick up points was with his coordination of the scarf with his pocket square; a detail which lifted his slick plain black suit. But it wasn’t all untraditional – take your eyes of Angelina for a minute and you’ll see Brad Pitt takes his tux very seriously indeed. His puffy bowtie was complemented by the soft black scarf which added more than a little Forties’ classicism, with the one button jacket keeping it all modern.

Other looks of note were Best Actor Award winner Mickey Rourke’s blatant disregard for tradition as he rocked chains and a white belt for a look that was more lounge lover than red carpet and Ron Howard’s wonky dickie bow that was more Richie Cunningham than perhaps he realised. Always overshadowed by the girls, the guys are showing they can mix it up a bit too. After all, why should they have all the fun?

Did you catch the Baftas? Thought Slumdog deserved all seven awards? And Who should have won a gong that didn’t? Get on your soapbox in the comments...

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