The invitations arrive while the Halloween decorations are up, and by the time Simbang Gabi starts, most calendars hold at least three nights that call for black tie. It ends at a New Year's Eve gala. Black tie is looser this year than it has been in a long time. The Oscars and Cannes red carpets were full of velvet, double-breasted jackets, and colors that would have raised eyebrows a decade ago. Here's a short guide on how to navigate the season's most formal occasions. Start with the lapel People notice the lapel before anything else. A shawl collar runs in one smooth curve of satin or grosgrain from the neck down to the button. It's the softer, more romantic option, and it suits men with broad shoulders. A peak lapel points up and out toward the shoulder, which widens the chest and sharpens a slim frame. The notch lapel belongs..
