Presented for your amusement and amazement, Ten Looks to Get YOU Looks when everybody else is wearing a tux:

1) the Dark Suit.  Wear it with a colored bow tie, or with a solid (not black) four in hand and a white shirt. You are not trying to get by, you are elegant enough not to need a tuxedo and you feel just fine, thanks.
2) The Velvet Jacket.  Wear it with your tux pants and your formal shirt. People will want to touch you.
3) The Madras or Tartan jacket. If this has a shawl lapel, you will look delightfully archaic and people will assume the old Rolls out front is yours.  Again, stick with the black pants, etc.
4) The Velvet Suit. This is only for men who don't mind being touched all over.
5) The White Linen suit. Best in warm places and seasons, but you will have to be the judge.
6) Highland Dress, meaning The Kilt.   Easier to rent than you might think and  bound to get you noticed. Tell them it's the MacSpanky tartan and  be sure to learn all of the "what's under your kilt" lines from the outfitters.
7) The Nehru. No, not the Nashville I- wore-this-button-so-I-wouldn't- have- to- wear- a- tie collarless formal shirt. I am talking about  the Traditional Eastern coat with the upturned  collar, as favored by James Bond villains and Dr. Evil. Try to find one in gold brocade.
8) The Military uniform. Just be sure it is yours, especially the medals. Someone will know.
9) Pajamas. Hey, you weren't going to wear the velvet suit, either and you probably at least HAVE  some jammies. Go ahead, try it and see. People will line up to talk to you.  Just ask Hef.
10)  OF COURSE, the white dinner jacket. Wear any white jacket with a  black tie. Wear a really elegant double breasted shawl lapel one that you can claim came out of your grandfather's closet (even if you had to put it there first). Wear  a modern  peak lapel one made of nubby off-white silk.  Whatever you do, don't touch any trays, or people will think you are a waiter.

AND REMEMBER, a drunk in black tie  is at least a well-dressed drunk, but  people are likely to pay more attention to you when you are dressed up, so Let's Be Careful Out There.