You must have come across men wearing tuxedos, the black tux particularly. Tuxedo is a formal evening outfit to wear on most formal events like a wedding ceremony or a promenade night or formal dinner. Generally the tuxedo includes a black tuxedo jacket, white dress shirt, matching tuxedo pants, a black bow tie, a cummerbund and black dress shoes; Belgian or tassel loafer shoes, black oxfords, black derby.
Tuxedo event calls for a strict dress code which is uniform for all male guests. Most invitation cards also enumerate the dress code. You need to comply the instructions to attend the occasion, to earn respect and honour the host.
What Is Evening Dinner ?
While the term dinner can be perplexing it is important to know that a formal dinner is a gathering of men wearing a tuxedo jacket and a bow tie and cummerbund. Other than this red carpet occasions and weddings are some special situations calling for a tuxedo. You will wear more casual outfits to other dinners such as-
A sports jacket with denim to a date dinner.
- Casual dinner with friends and relatives.
- A blazer and chino at a business dinner bash.
Tuxedo Parts
Predominantly the dressiest shawl lapel characterizes a tuxedo jacket. Although one may also pick a peak or notch lapel too but because a notch lapel carries least formality, a peak lapel instead, is a better option.
One button single–breasted tuxedo with shawl lapel is the key element you need to be eligible for a black tie event. A shawl lapel is the centerpiece of a dinner jacket, specifically silk or velvet. Shawl lapel includes the collar, therefore has no joints, and gives men sleeker appearance. Silk or velvet lapel works like a charm for you, ensure it is nicely creased.
Wedding is another occasion when you can wear a tuxedos. But you need to make sure the dress code is especially a black tie else you will stand out oddly.
Tuxedo Shirt
Not fancy but a plain white shirt with either a wing collar or a turn-down collar makes a perfect piece to wear underneath a tuxedo jacket, buttons either neutral or contrasting black colour is a little detail that can make a difference. Ensure the shirt does not have any blemishes and the placket meets the middle of the pants.
For you generally wear French cuffs with a dinner jacket cufflinks replace ordinary buttons.
Black Bow Tie
Traditionally men would wear a bow tie with a dinner jacket. It is not appropriate for a business suit but with a tuxedo it is the most befitting neck accessory to wear. Men not familiar with tying it should learn how to tie a bow tie.
Tuxedo Pants
Tuxedo pants are simple and elegant only to be worn with a formal dinner jacket. Generally pants break have medium break or quarter break. When men wear loafers break becomes significant for the neat display of shoes and socks.
Tuxedo trousers have no loops since you are not going to wear a belt but a cummerbund or vest.
Cummerbund Or Vest What To Wear?
It is important to note that waist part of a dinner jacket is vital and plays key role is making the outfit more modern and elegant. Cummerbund is a wide piece of clothing accessory specially invented to be worn during a black tie occasion. A cummerbund is the extension of trousers above waist and elongates the front of men visually.
A cummerbund must coordinate in colour and fabric with the tuxedo for a systematic appearance.
Men can alternatively wear a vest to replace a cummerbund. It also adds some weight to the upper portion and remains concealed with only lower part visible.
Tuxedo Shoes And Dress Socks
Shoes are the foundation of a tuxedo and should be matched carefully. Black polished loafers or black lace-up shoes are best choices if you want to look classy. No other casual shoes like wingtip brogues should be picked for this serious formal occasion. Wrong shoes will immediately put you at risk of losing your social ranking.
Penny or tassel loafers are equivalent to men’s black oxford shoes with black tie attire. Velvet loafer shoes are also a welcome alternative to leather loafers. Choose silk or high quality socks to look sophisticated.
Difference Between A Tuxedo And A Suit
Starting with the biggest difference and that is- suit belongs to the workplace and is also a business class outfits whereas a tuxedo ranks higher in formality and should exclusively be worn at a black tie situation.
A suit comes in many colours from black to grey to navy or khaki or blue. Black is the only colour acceptable in a dinner jacket and its trousers.
Generally a suit is accessorized with a belt, flashy pocket squares and formal neckties. There is no option for a belt in tuxedo pants due to the absence of belt loops. Moreover, men can wear only a white square with a dressier fold and a bow tie particularly with tuxedo jacket.
Men’s suit lapels are plain while a dinner jacket will have additional layer of silky material to further improve formality of the outfit.
Dress shirts with a suit can range from white to blue, grey to pink but tuxedo shirts are only white. Suit shirts also have spread collar, point collar or cutaway collar but in case of tuxedo a wing collar or turn down collar will work.
Tuxedo is an evening dress but men have freedom to put on a suit any hour of the day.
