A Official Guide to Wedding Tuxedos for Grooms, Groomsmen, and Friends

Tuxedos have always been hailed as appearances that evoke the most politeness. Since the late 1800s, these dark and have been reserved for the most exclusive of occasions, celebratory events, and esteemed cultural gatherings—and it’s not hard to see why: they’re polished and put up with full efficiency.

With that in mind, it’s no wonder so many people opt to go to a wedding, especially since there are so many different upscale shapes and designs to choose from. Tuxedos are a far cry from the reputation of black and white penguins in the modern era, according to artist and graphic expert. A suit, in my opinion, embodies luxury and elegance. Not that a fit the n’t, but there is a reason why differences between tuxedos and suits have endured for hundreds of years.

We’ve put together a proper guide to help those who are engaged in sporting this super chic outfit, whether they are the groom, groomsman, or guest. Away, consider an A- to- Z dictionary of all related to.

How to Determine When You Should Don a Tuxedo

In the end, choosing a suit boils down to the fundamental formality of the day. ” If the general feeling of the wedding is elegant and you’re providing a’ dark tie’ or ‘ black tie preferred’ on your invitation, then it’s most suitable for you ( and every guest who’d been attending in a suited look ) to use a dark- tie, tuxedo look”, explains Baldwin. Of course, certain circumstances might prompt greater consideration, but by and large, tuxedos align with a more formal style direction.

What Makes Suits and Tuxedos Different From One Another?

The lapel facings are the biggest difference between a suit and a tux, which you’ll notice most. To give it its distinctive V-style, tuxedo lapels are made of pure silk, smooth satin, or textured grosgrain, while suit lapels are made of the same material as suit jackets. What’s more, the buttons of a tuxedo jacket will be covered in the same fabric as the lapels—likewise for tuxedo pants, which may ( but do n’t always ) come with a stripe of the same fabric down the side.

Another important hallmark of the tux is the absence of a belt, pants do n’t even have belt loops, rather, they’re held up with suspenders. Lastly, tuxes are worn with a, a wingtip dress shirt, or a pleated dress shirt, while suits are typically just styled with a traditional dress shirt or t- shirt, depending on the event’s level of formality.

” This is the most traditional form of a tuxedo: black with satin lapels, a crisp white tuxedo shirt, a self- tie, cufflinks and a stud set, proper tuxedo trousers, and elegant tuxedo footwear”, adds Baldwin. ” Some additional elements might include a waistcoat ( a vest, more plainly ) or a cummerbund, but never both, along with other distinguished toppers like dinner jackets in white or ivory”.

The Unique Elements of a Tuxedo

Here, we break down a few elements that make a tuxedo unique.

Colors and Prints

This may come as a surprise, but tuxedos do n’t only come in a standard black- and- white colorway. Every formalwear rental agency and atelier has tuxedos in a wide range of hues, including black to graphite, gray to charcoal, crimson red to midnight blue, and Spectre-style Daniel Craig in white. Having said that, consideration should be given to the rest of the wedding party and the couple themselves when choosing something other than the traditional black palette.

” If wearing a will be distracting or ill- suited for the wedding setting, I tell my grooms to reconsider. This is especially true if their partner’s look is a bit more subdued”, cautions Baldwin. After all, they are the guests of honor for the day, so I’m not going to style a groom in a super bold look that attracts more singular attention than what should be attracted to the couple together.

Shirt Collars

Tuxedo shirts come with a special set of collars unlike those on dress shirts. For instance, a wingtip collar has a small standing collar with points pressed down so they extend horizontally in the same vein as wings, for decades.

Another option? Spread collars, which are a bit less rigid, literally and figuratively. They come in a myriad of points and angles ( the traditional or forward point collar is used for tuxedo styling because it nicely hides the band of a bow tie ). Lastly, the more casual option is a cutaway collar, which can also be styled with suits.

Lapels 

As previously mentioned, lapels—the collar portion of a tuxedo jacket—and their fabrication are what make tuxedos unique. There are three main types: Shawl, peak, and notch.

Shawl lapels, the most formal of the three, are designed for people with special tastes. You have to be especially self-assured wearing this lapel because it’s undoubtedly a departure from the expected and thus likely to be noticed. Not everyone can pull off this old-school, smoking jacket feel reminiscent of James Bond or a Rat Pack- esque gentleman of style, according to Baldwin.

A peak lapel is a great choice for higher- end dress codes because it is typically required for this ultra-classical and exceptionally debonair detailing, similar to a shawl lapel ( though a little less formal ). Here, there are edges that’ peak’ upward toward the face to “give the appearance of broader shoulders and a slimmer waistline”, says Baldwin.

Lastly, a notch lapel is a less formal and more streamlined option. According to Aldwin,” they seem to be widely accepted because they are as close to a business suit as any other lapel option.” As such, they’re arguably the most common lapels to be found on off- the- rack tuxedos.

Ties

While there is a multitude of options for tuxedo shirts, lapels, and even colors, when ties are considered, there are only two types that can be worn with a tux: bow ties or neckties. Bow ties have always been preferred with tuxedos over tuxedos because they are particularly diplomatic and buttoned up, but with the advent of creative styling liberties and personalizing wedding looks, the interest in neckties has definitely increased.

Which should you wear to your wedding, and how? If you do n’t want to rock a necktie or really give your look a little personality, bow ties should be your first option. However, Baldwin only advises that “if you choose a necktie for your nuptials, you should explore one in silk or a complementary texture that feels elegant and on par with the tuxedo.”