Formal occasions call for formal dress. Whether it's a slim tuxedo or just a simple nice shirt and tie, there's a variety of options for such gatherings. While choosing your attire can be a daunting task on its own, I struggled with another decision this past weekend when I prepared to attend a friend's wedding. The question, simply, was this: "Which pipe do I bring?" Here's a handful of options to consider for your own special occasion.
Dunhill Dress
Perhaps the most popular and traditional pipe for formal events, this series from which we derive the commonly used term "dress finish." Much like a tuxedo, it focuses on elegance and minimalism sans any bold or distracting colors: a solid, jet-black smooth polish paired with a gleaming sterling silver band.
Castello Perla Nera
Similar in style to the Dunhill Dress, yet representing the Italian, rather than the English classic school, this line is also a wonderfully refined choice. The accents used for this series also vary a bit more than the standard sterling bands that appear on Dunhill's formal pipes, ranging from no accent to a bamboo-carved silver ring.
Peterson Cara
Who says your dress pipes have to be smooth-finished? Sandblasted pipes can be just as handsome and elegant — something Bruce Weaver obviously understands judging by the bent Billiard above. Peterson's Cara line is another great example, offering both a smooth-polished ebony and extra-dark sandblasted variation of some of the marque's classic shapes. The result is a pretty stimulating texture, while still retaining that "dressy" look.
L'Anatra Pettinate
While rustication tends to come off more organic and rugged, there are some styles that suit these formal occasions rather well. L'Anatra's Pettinate line, for example, offers a unique, finely striated, glossy jet-black finish that just looks downright classy, especially when paired with the marque's smart silverwork.
Tsuge's Urushi Sakura
Of course, there will be times when the occasion calls for something that makes a bit more of a statement. While still quite elegant in its jet-black lacquered bowl, likewise jet-black bamboo extension, and refined brass accents, Tsuge's take on the dress finish also sports a bit of color in its hand-painted maki-e floral patterns.
These are just a handful of examples of the vast number of possibilities you have to work with. Which one suits the occasion, and your style more? Well that's a matter of personal preference. Though I will say, I decided to bring my trusty, jet-black Jacono to the wedding, and I did receive a fair amount of compliments... and a fair amount of curious looks. I was the only man with a pipe in the whole place, after all.
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Comments
Thanks for the thoughtful review of dress pipes in particular and alternative touches in general. I recently began dabbling in the process of dressing up originally regular smooth pipes, and my fourth endeavor got it just right. While I was trying to determine the supplies I would need, one pipe smokers forum friend suggested that whatever Castello uses for its Perla Nera would be a good idea, but he had no idea. My research into common practice led me to Fiebing's black aniline stain and Orange flake shellac rather than jet-black lacquer, but maybe I'll try that the next time. I'm writing the first of my four experiences so far for a series of blogs on Steve Laug's Reborn Pipes and found this concise, well-done proposition at the last minute.