Men at a masquerade ball.

[Guest]

I need some help. I have to go to a charity gala that is masquerade ball themed. What would a man wear to be on theme?  Any suggestions?  Google isn’t being helpful so I’m hoping someone here has a suggestion/solution. I’m responsible for doing the financial ask for the charity so I’d like to try and knock it out of the park. Thanks in advance. 

[+ jrhoutex]

GQ.com’s advice is that masquerades balls are dressy affairs often involving historical dress-up clothes and hopefully involving naughty décolleté dresses.  It’s not a masquerade without a mask, like the traditional Venetian mask with the big schnozzola. 

Pinterest has lot of ideas for Masquerade men attire - https://www.pinterest.com/toppdogg93/masquerade-men/

Since it’s a charity ball, you may consider a Tux or Dinner Jacket with a colorful vest/tie and unique face mask.  You can’t go wrong with an elegant Tux and just accessorize it for the masquerade theme event.  The mask itself can make or break the look.  Here are some ideas on face masks. https://www.ilovemasks.com/categories/men.html

You may get some ideas from Dallas Vintage Shop.com - https://dallasvintageshop.com/accessories/masquerade-masks-accessories/

Good luck and have fun!

[wsc]

1 hour ago, jrhoutex said:

 

GQ.com’s advice is that masquerades balls are dressy affairs often involving historical dress-up clothes and hopefully involving naughty décolleté dresses.  It’s not a masquerade without a mask, like the traditional Venetian mask with the big schnozzola. 

Pinterest has lot of ideas for Masquerade men attire - https://www.pinterest.com/toppdogg93/masquerade-men/

Since it’s a charity ball, you may consider a Tux or Dinner Jacket with a colorful vest/tie and unique face mask.  You can’t go wrong with an elegant Tux and just accessorize it for the masquerade theme event.  The mask itself can make or break the look.  Here are some ideas on face masks. https://www.ilovemasks.com/categories/men.html

You may get some ideas from Dallas Vintage Shop.com - https://dallasvintageshop.com/accessories/masquerade-masks-accessories/

Good luck and have fun!

Seriously impressed with the detailed and informed response. Well done!

[+ nycman]

The mask is everything. Many "look cheap" like they were made with items from the local craft store. Also be careful of "too large". Bigger isn’t always better. I always thought Mia Farrow’s look at Truman Capote’s Black and White Masquerade Ball was simple and perfect. Most importantly it has to be a mask you feel comfortable and confidant wearing. A masquerade ball is performance art and you have to sell the look. You can’t do that in a mask you’re constantly adjusting or feel silly wearing.

I think your best bet is something unique and handmade, preferably in leather, from an Etsy designer. 

I agree a tux is an elegant and relatively easy solution, but if you’re going full Venetian fantasy mask, consider going the whole nine yards with an over-the-top period or steampunk outfit to match. At a benefit where I was asking for a donation though, I’d stick with a tux. After all, if it was good enough for Sinatra, it’s good enough for you.  
 

 

[Luv2play]

I think in your role as a fundraiser for this event you should go with a personality in American history who has stature and gravitas. Benjamin Franklin comes to mind as he is one of the most illustrious of the nation's founders and his face is on the ubiquitous 100 dollar bill.

You should be able to get a face mask easily on the Internet (I checked a few sources). If you want, rather than a dinner jacket, you could opt to go the historical garb route as there are many depictions of him in 18th century clothes.

You will be playing on people's patriotism and chartitable instincts combined and should elicit a favourable response when they open up their wallets.

You may want to consider pinning a c-note to your lapel with Ben's face showing to remind folks that you are the fundraiser as you walk around the party. 

Edited October 10, 2022 by Luv2play

[+ azdr0710]

The exceedingly wide range of knowledge, creativity, and practical ideas this board exhibits continues to astound me!

Edited October 10, 2022 by azdr0710

[+ nycman]

8 hours ago, Luv2play said:

Benjamin Franklin comes to mind….

Just a reminder that a "masquerade ball" is not a "costume party".

There is a very distinct difference. 

Dressing up as a specific historical character (or even Batman for that matter) 
would be appropriate at the former, but not the latter. In general, masquerade
balls are more formal and upscale events. Elegant, whimsical, restraint is the key.

[Luv2play]

22 minutes ago, nycman said:

Just a reminder that a "masquerade ball" is not a "costume party".

There is a very distinct difference. 

Dressing up as a specific historical character (or even Batman for that matter) 
would be appropriate at the former, but not the latter. In general, masquerade
balls are more formal and upscale events. Elegant, whimsical, restraint is the key.

Good point. I wonder what kind of charity this ball is in aid of. That might suggest better the tenor of the event.  

Truman Capote's famour Black and White Ball, which Sinatra and Mia Farrow attended, was a society event not dedicated to any fundraising as I understand. The op said this ball was to raise money. The question is how is this to be done.

I have done a fair bit of fundraising in my time and this has usually been formal sit down dinners with high ticket prices, live and silent auctions and door prizes through ticket sales. This can raise tens of thousands of dollars in an evening. I've been to some that raised hundreds of thousands but these were in wealthy communities like Geneva, Switzerland, where I once lived.  

The guest list is the most important thing to having a successful fundraising event. People who just latch on with no history of giving are pretty to look at but do not a successful evening make. You want the deep pockets who like and support your cause or you.

[+ Oliver]

You could add a Domino, which is a loose cloak, worn with a mask for the upper part of the face at masquerades.

[Guest]

You guys are amazing and can’t thank you enough. I found a super hot mask from that website and am excited to attend now. 

[+ purplekow]

Might I suggest the combining a costume with a masquerade, you could attend as Mr. Moneybags from Monopoly.  He wears a morning coat and a top hat as you are fundraising, Mr. Moneybags would be an appropriate statement.  Note White mustache. Cane. Red bow tie.  Grey trousers.   No Monocle.  He is commonly thought to wear a monocle but he does not.  However, as it is commonly believed he does, you might want to keep one in the pocket of the morning coat.  I would add a pocket watch and chain, only because I have several and very few reasons to wear them.  

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=monopoloy+man+image&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Addendum. If you have time to grow the mustache you could dye it.  You can still use any type of eye cover mask and the white mustache might hide your identity a bit.  

Edited October 21, 2022 by purplekow

[+ purplekow]

Might I suggest the combining a costume with a masquerade, you could attend as Mr. Moneybags from Monopoly.  He wears a morning coat and a top hat as you are fundraising, Mr. Moneybags would be an appropriate statement.  

 

[Trick]

On 10/10/2022 at 5:26 PM, nycman said:

Dressing up as a specific historical character (or even Batman for that matter) ...

Speaking of Batman, I remember a masquerade ball in a Batman movie. The one with Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer.  Perhaps you can get some ideas from Gotham’s elite.

Edited October 21, 2022 by Trick

[+ purplekow]

1 hour ago, Trick said:

Speaking of Batman, I remember a masquerade ball in a Batman movie. The one with Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer.  Perhaps you can get some ideas from Gotham’s elite.

Did they do the Batusi?  https://www.bing.com/videos/search?&q=batusi&docid=608031137565068090&mid=B4314E20146D64A578E9B4314E20146D64A578E9&view=detail&form=VDQVAP&rvsmid=BCAC83DB727472E64F5ABCAC83DB727472E64F5A&ajaxhist=0

Edited October 22, 2022 by purplekow

[+ nycman]

1 hour ago, purplekow said:

Did they do the Batusi?

Wow, I never knew Travolta’s dance moves in Pul0 Fiction were inspired by the Batusi!

You learn something new every day!