Tuxedo Tips

Since a tuxedo isn’t something most people wear every day, here are a few tips to understand the right way to wear various items.

Cummerbund vs. Vest – it’s an either or proposition, never both.  If you do wear a cummerbund, be sure that the pleats or folds are facing up.  There are a few theories on the practical origins of this – one is that it was designed to catch the crumbs from dinner, the other is that it created a handy place to hold opera tickets.

Wing Collar Shirts – be sure the wings are positioned behind the bow-tie (not on top or in front of), much like a more conventional laydown collar you’d see on a dress shirt.

Shoes – Black shiny patent leather shoes are traditionally paired with a black tuxedo.  If you’re wearing other colors, the rule of thumb is to match the color or go darker with the shoe color – never lighter.

Buttons – On single breasted coats, often times the coat is open to display the vest color (if you’re wearing one).  If you do button it, it should be buttoned when you’re standing and open when sitting. Be sure to leave the bottom button unbuttoned on any single breasted coat.  Double breasted coats are less commonly seen, but are always buttoned.  If you have a single button model, it should always be buttoned as well.

Suspenders – formal pants don’t come with belt loops, so if you need assistance keeping things at the proper height, suspenders are the way to go.  Be sure to put the suspenders on when doing your fitting.  Otherwise you may find the bottom of your pants are too short for comfort with the suspenders holding your pants up at the proper height.

Flowers – a boutonniere should be worn on the left lapel and tilted slightly outward.

White Dinner Jacket – a cool but still elegant look, generally reserved for spring and summer events between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  An exception to this is if you are going on a cruise in a tropical climate.

As always, if you have questions about tuxedos, formal wear or the etiquette surrounding them, stop by for a visit or drop us a note, we’d be delighted to chat with you about your event.