Men's Tuxedo /
Essential for a Black Tie Event !
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Index: 1. Details of a Men's Tuxedo Outfit 2. A Perfect Tuxedo Outfit consists of: 3. Fitting Advice for a Tuxedo 4. Fitting Advice for the Jacket 5. Fitting Advice for the Trouser 6. Shopping |
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The tuxedo
This section will tell you everything about what to look for in a men's tuxedo, including the most important details and the perfect fit.
Details of a Men's Tuxedo:
Men's tuxedos are available in both the single-breasted and double-breasted style..
The classical tuxedo has a shawl collar.
Tuxedo jacket:
Tuxedos can either be single- or double-breasted, and are usually dark blue or black.
If you prefer a single-breasted men's tuxedo, you could go for the classic style with a shawl collar.
Double-breasted tuxedos usually have a peak lapel collar.
The peak lapel collar and the shawl collar are outside with silk fabric.
The style you choose is mostly a matter of taste.
Taller men should go for the double-breasted style, as it is more flattering for fuller figures.
White men's tuxedo jackets (dinner jackets) have the same cut as a normal tuxedo, but should only be worn for outdoor events.
Tuxedo trouser:
Trousers should be black or dark blue, depending on the colour of your jacket, and they have a single silk stripe down each outside seam.
They should not have a turned-up hem.
Tuxedo shirt:
You should wear a white tuxedo shirt with turned-up cuffs.
The button panel is often covered, and the breast area is sometimes decorated with pleats.
Tie
As suggested by the dress code, you should wear a black tie (usually only waiters wear a tuxedo with a white tie).
Cummerbund:
A black cummerbund should cover the overlap of shirt and trouser and should be worn with the pleats open upside.
Shoes:
You should wear black knee-high wool or silk stockings combined with elegant patent leather shoes.
Accessories:
To give your outfit the finishing touch, you could add a white drape and cuff links.
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A Perfect Men's Tuxedo Outfit consists of:
- a single- or double-breasted tuxedo jacket in dark blue, black or white
- dark blue or black trousers, to match the colour of your jacket, with one silk stripe down each leg
- a white men's tuxedo shirt with turned up cuffs, often with the button panel covered
- cuff links
- a black bow tie
- a black cummerbund with pleats open upside
- elegant patent leather shoes with black knee high stockings
- a white breast pocket handkerchief
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Fitting Advice for a Men's Tuxedo:
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The most important element for a nice appearance in a man's tuxedo is the correct fit. |
A man with a small frame should wear a single-breasted tuxedo with a slender cutting shape, minor or no shoulder pads, a narrow shawl collar and a trouser cut close to the leg.
A man with broad shoulders and an atlethic frame should also wear a tuxedo without shoulder pads.
Double-breasted styles also fit very well with this frame.
A man with a burly frame should renounce on any extension or broadening by the cutting shape of the tuxedo.
A double-breasted style with a peak lapel could be a good choice because it is very flattering on this kind of frame.
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Fitting Advice for the Tuxedo Jacket:
Collar:
The tuxedo collar should end at the middle of the neck without standing away from it.
See that there is no fabric wrinkling up underneath the collar in the back part.
Shawl collar / Lapel:
The shawl collar or lapel should lay flat and roll smooth on the opening line (neckline) above the upper button.
If the shawl collar gapes open, the jacket is too small in the back part and in the chest.
Shoulders:
The shoulders should sit straight with no pulling and they should not stand off too much.
If there is any pulling or pressure on the shoulder, the jacket is too small.
Body part:
A men's tuxedo jacket should have a very good fit.
If the fit of the jacket is too tight, it creates horizontal lines on the back part, it pulls on the hips and opens the back vents.
When you try on the jacket, you should raise and lower your arms in order to see if the jacket moves back to the right fitting place without having to fix the fit position.
Make sure that the armhole is wide enough to move your arms comfortable.
(Please note that jackets with a good fitting shape are always not as comfortable as jackets with a bad fit!)
The curves on the waist of the jacket should fall smooth without making any pleats or crinkles.
Hem:
When you look at the hem from the side, it should be straight all around and fall in a nice round shape.
Make sure that there is no part standing off and that the hem line has a smooth run all around.
Sleeves:
When your hands hang at your side and your arm is slightly bent the sleeves should just cover your wrist bone.
Buttons:
If the jacket is fastened, you should be able to sit down comfortable.
If the jacket is too tight, the fabric will make pleats in the shape of an x pattern going out from the upper button.
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Fitting Advice for the Tuxedo Trouser
Waistband:
The waistband should make no gapes on your waistline and you should be able to put a finger between your body and the waistband.
There should be no pulling on the closure hook or button.
Try also to sit down and see if you feel comfortable.
Bottom:
Your trousers should not bag underneath your behind or be pulled up too tight.
Pockets:
Most of the different pocket styles should lie flat and be closed if you are standing.
The lining should be invisible and the shape of the pocket should run in a smooth, straight line.
Side seam:
The side seam is very important on a trousers look.
The side seam should run in a straight smooth line from the waistband to the hem.
There should be no puckering or pulling along the side seam.
Inside Seam:
The inside seam should also run in a straight, smooth line without any puckering or pulling.
The area of the crossing seam between your legs should especially feel comfortable without any pulling or pushing when you stand or sit.
Creases:
The front crease of your trousers should hang right down the middle of your leg.
If the crease line falls outside of the middle of your leg it looks unfavourable.
Take care that the intensity of the creases stays consistent all over the length of your trouser.
Hem:
The correct length of your trousers is also a very determining factor for a good appearance.
Make sure that you always wear the shoes you will most often wear with your trouser you try on.
A trouser which is a little bit too long is better than a too short one.
Walk around and also check the length from the back in a mirror while standing straight.
The hem should touch your instep in front and cover half of your heel on the back.
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Shopping
Find various styles of tuxedos and accessories for your evening attire!
| If you like to buy a tuxedo, click here! |
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