Welcome to Tuxedo Talk!
At tuxedo talk, we'll post answers to questions we frequently get regarding tuxedos, tuxedo accessories, formalwear, and men's suits. We'll also post news about the world of men's fashions and the latest trends regarding tuxedos for weddings, proms.
Most importantly, we at eTuxedo hope to use this blog as a means to communicate with the general public so we can learn about what they need and how we can meet those needs. We welcome your comments, tuxedos stories, questions and pleas for advice.
My name is Zach. I'm the web designer for eTuxedo and its corresponding websites, esuit, eblazer and ecufflink. I look forward to building this blog into something useful for both the staff and customers here at eTuxedo.
Zach
posted by Zach @ 2:25 PM
72 comments
72 Comments:
Hi - my husband and I are going to a black-tie evening wedding at a fancy hotel in Manhattan. We're in our thirties and he's never worn a tux. I'd love any advice about helping him pick out something to wear, but especially: how much of a faux-pas would it be to wear a vest and ascot/cravat instead of a bow tie? If you wear a mandarin collar jacket, should you wear a mandarin collar shirt too? Are mandarin collars hopelessly out these days? Thank you!
Dear Emmylou,
Mandarin collar tuxedos are very hot right now - although this style is trending young. If you go this direction, a vest and ascot are a richer look than bowtie. Either way, you cannot wear it with a manadarin collar shirt. Mandarin collar shirts require a button cover rather than a tie of any type.
Other particularly sharp fashion styles right now, and perhaps a touch more mature, include the Jaguar (tone-on-tone black stripe), the Trilogy tuxedos, and although a bit more conservative, consider the Lauren 2-button peak lapel tuxedo.
These can all be worn with a vest and long tie (4-in-hand) or just a solid black tie (no vest) for a sophisticated look.
As for me I only wear a Tuxedo 2 or 3 times a year and not always at the same time of day and not in the same type of event. I will not turn to any other place to buy as your info is so very helpful.
Hello - I'm attending a wedding of a woman who works for me and the tux I own was purchased in 1989. It's a double breasted Hugo Boss with traditional lapel collars. Here's my question - is this tux hideously out of date, or with a good tie and shirt combo, will it pass? Thanks for your feedback - candidly, I'm more amazed I can still wear it...
JG
Sure, put the salesman in the “bad guy” position of having to tell you to buy a new tuxedo. OK, I’m up to the challenge.
Here’s the full story. The tuxedo is OUT OF DATE but not hideously out of date. That is, you need a signed note from your fashion expert to buy a double breasted tuxedo OR you have to really look outstanding in one to continue wearing it today. Mainstream models (as opposed to high fashion which lives by different rules) are 1, 2, and 3 button notch lapels, 1 & 2 button peak lapels, and 1 button shawl collar styles.
Your options are to rent (where did that pair of slacks spend last Saturday night???) at about $100 a night or buy. While we would certainly enjoy selling you a new Hugo Boss tuxedo, you might review a few of the other options as well. The Boss tuxedo is a sophisticated garment. It is a long, lean (although not tight) profile. You might also consider the Ralph Lauren Park Avenue tuxedo (particularly good value in a package on our home page) or the Imperial tuxedo (1 or 3 button). Of course, if you really want to “dress to impress” and budget is no object, consider the Corneliani tuxedo. Its styling is very crisp, very clean (and very 007). Just a note of caution, for this tuxedo to fit like a glove, you need to be in pretty good shape.
Regards,
David
Hello there,
I'm in a wedding where the groom really has his heart set on dark chocolate brown tuxedos. They've only located a company in Boston that hasn't sent them a photo after delaying them several weeks. Do you happen to stock those, or know of a company that does? We'd really appreciate if you had any information on this, as it's driving the bride and bridal side a little nuts trying to locate those.
Thanks!
:) Teresa
I am getting married in August and my wish is to have chocolate brown tuxedos also. I have searched everywhere i have not had any Luck so far but I did find a brown chocolate tuxedo by FUBU and Tyson Chandler of the Chicago Bulls groomsmen also wore brown tuxedos. The article is the Feb. issue of Ebony. So if you or anyone else find anything out let me know.
We do not currently have any brown tuxedos in stock. I'll certainly keep my ears open and post it if I hear anything, but brown tuxedos are rare because there just isn't a very high demand for them.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Zach
Hi, our wedding colors are going to be pink, brown, and ivory. Any suggestions on what color the groom should wear? Would all black be okay, or should we add a pink or ivory tie?
It's a matter of personal preference. All black would be perfectly acceptable. You could aslo have the groom wear a pink or ivory boutonniere instead of a colored tie. But a colored tie would be okay also.
Zach
Hello,
I notice that someone remarked that you can NOT wear a mandarin style shirt with a mandarin collar tux (i.e. Jean Yves Mirage).
Why not? Thanks.
Hoping for a Quick Reply in NYC
I think you misread comment number 3. We were talking about accessories that could be worn with a mandarian collar shirt and noted that an ascot is a richer look than a bowtie. It's the ascot and the bowtie that can't be worn with a mandarian collar shirt. There is nothing fahionably inappropriate about wearing a mandarin collar shirt and a mandarin collar tuxedo.
Sorry about the confusion.
Zach
I see that several other people were looking for chocolate brown tuxedos... we would also very much like to find them, or chocalate brown suits to rent.
Any new info on where?
Thanks
We're looking into the brown tuxedo issue now. They're in high demand, but none of our manufacturers seem to be making them yet. We're hoping if we bug them enough, they'll decide to make a cutting. We'll announce it here as soon as we get any new information.
Zach
Who says there is not a demand for Choclate brown tuxes? I've seen countless wedding parties on the internet searching for them. My daughter is doing the same. Brown would look great with pink, blue, celery green, purple and definetly rust or burnt orange for fall. If they made them I bet they'd sell a lot.
Where do the studs go?
Studs are slid through holes in the formal shirt that are either right next to or in place of standard buttons. They are simply a replacement for shirt buttons.
Zach
So is super 100's wool or not? Where is this explained? Why don't you have a FAQ link at the bottom of each page?
99 Times out of 100, the term Super 100's refers to wool. We do carry one Super 150's Microfiber Tuxedo, but the Super system of fabric grading almost always refers to wool.
"Super ____" refers to the width of the yarn used to make the fabric. This yarn could be wool or polyester.
For more information on the "Super" grading system, go to http://www.etuxedo.com/super100s.htm
Zach
Have you guys had any luck with the brown tuxedo search?
Brown Tuxedos still are not available from any manufacturer. This seems to be a case of the industry being behind the fashion curve.
We've been told by one tuxedo maker that they expect to have brown tuxedos available by January, but this is a tentative cut date and is subject to change.
Sorry I can't give you better news on this one. As soon as something changes, I'll post it here.
Zach
The father of the bride and the groom are not necessarily part of the wedding party and they can dress differently from the groom and ushers. You can wear your embroidered shirt and any cufflinks and studs you like.
Zach
I am trying to give our wedding an "old hollywood" feel. It's in October so I'd like to use fall colors like brown and gold. Would like the groom and groomsmen to wear ivory dinner jackets. Have you ever seen brown slacks, vests, cumberbunds used?
The rule of thumb is that ivory and white are only worn in the summer. Finding brown tuxedo trousers will be very difficult. However, rules are made to be broken and no one will arrest you for wearing Ivory in the fall, just know that you are breaking tradition. Brown vests or cummerbunds (don’t wear both) are difficult to find as well, but not as hard as brown tuxedo pants.
Zach
I am looking for dark brown tuxedos as well! My colors are dark pink and orange and we thought brown would look sharp and maybe a little less harsh than the black tuxedos. Fubu is the only tux I can find as of now but it has a tone on tone stripe. I sure hope they start to come out!!
More requests for dark brown tuxedos and / or brown suit for groom and brown blazers for the groomsmen.
Are cumberbunds in or out of fashion? Can I wear my tux (purchased from eTuxedo) without a cumberbund or vest? Or is that a fashion no no.
Also can I wear suspenders instead of a cumberbund and no vest?
Thanks!
Anyone had luck finding brown tuxes?! Whats up with the Tuxedo industry? They seem to be a little behind times in the fashion department! :)
There are a few manufacturers making brown tuxedos, but when they cut them, they do it only in small quantities. They have quite the backlog and we don't want to put something on our site now that won't be available until next year.
We are looking at a black tuxedo with brown stripes right now. I know it's not the same thing as a solid brown, but the availability on them will be a lot better.
Be loking for that to come out in the next few weeks.
Zach
Cummerbunds never go out of style. They are the classic tuxedo look.
That said, vests are more popular right now.
As for wearing a tuxedo without either a vest or a cummerbund, it is being done. If you watch any given awards show, the young attendees will always come up with some new way to wear a tuxedo.
You'll certainly never see Harrison Ford show up at the Academy Awards in a tuxedo without a vest or bowtie, though.
It's all a matter of age and taste (or lack therof, in some cases.)
Zach
what about just suspenders and a bowtie? i am a shorter young male and feel the cumberbund to be slightly restrictive and make me look shorter. any ideas on this?
What is the hierarchy for tuxedo shirts? Spread collar, wing collar,etc. In terms of formality. Do the wings always go above and in front of the tie? It also seems like a wing collar demands a self tying bow tie as the holder, etc. would be seen otherwise. What say you?
Have you, guys, seen James Bond in Casino Royale?. I think he wears the tux without vest or cummerbund. Only suspenders and bowtie. Is it the new trend? Thanks.
Carlos, Caracas
We've seen this a lot at awards shows as well, but it's unusual to see James Bond wearing anything other than a contemporary classic tuxedo outfit.
If you are going with the latest trend of not wearing a cummerbund or a vest, make sure you wear a long tie. We suggest one of out striped ties.
I'm a professional opera singer and am looking for an alternative to the traditional white piquet shirt and bowtie with my tails jacket. I've thought about a Mandarin style jacket. Do you know of any other styles that might still present a professional look but offer an open neck like the Mandarin?
Hello!!! I HAVE FOUND CHOC BROWN TUXS! They are at a store in Walpole, MA called Delux Tux. The maker is Jims formalwear and the tux is called Chocolate Parisian. They have to be shipped from New York so give yourself a week advance!
Just wanted you all to know!
I like your blog on tuxedos "I like tuxedo T-Shirts because they say I want to be formal, but I'm here to party" www.tuxedo-t-shirts.com Thought that was just so funny and had to share it with you all.
is it appropriate for an ascot to be worn without a vest with a tuxedo for prom night?
Hi ,
My daughter's wedding is at 5:30
the groom is wearing a black paul smith tuxedo with an Ivory tie to match the brides ivory dress
should he waer an ivory shirt
the grooms men are wearing tuxes with a narrow black silk tie ...should they wear ivory shirts
3rd question ..can the father of the bride wear striped pants with tux jacket
bridesmaids are in chocolate brown ...lavender is the accent
so ccould the father of the bride wear a lavender tie ???
thanks
Hello there,
The question is simple: Is it permissible to wear a vest and bow tie with a double-breasted (ivory) dinner jacket?
I'm already flouting tradition by wearing an ivory dinner jacket as the groom in a February wedding, I'm wondering how much else I can get away with...
Cheers.
Double breasted jackets, whether ivory or black, do not require either a vest or cummerbund. Just wear a bowtie.
Hello: I have a nice tuxedo and a few sets of cummerbund and matching tie, but I also have a vest with a subtle pattern with no matching tie. To wear the vest I plan to wear a black tie. Do I need the studs in the shirt as well? It looks a little odd this way. I also plan to wear a regular collar shirt. Any advice?
Thanks
Alan
I am looking for dark pink/cranberry/some deeper shade of pink tuxedo shirt for the groomsmen in my wedding. Our colors are black & white, with accents of shades of pink. My fiancee thought that having the guys wear dark pink shirts with the tuxs would look cool, and so do i, but I have yet to be able to find any that arent baby pink! Any help/suggestions??
QUESTION: If you opt to wear the tuxedo with a necktie instead of a bowtie WITHOUT a vest (hey, it's hot in April in Georgia) what keeps the tie from flapping around?
My son will be attending prom and since he will be dancing, we need to solve this problem. I know nothing about tuxedos and this is all new to me -- so all helpful answers are appreciated.
THANKS! EMAIL ANSWERS TO: ellenfix1@gmail.com
I am also desperately lookinf for a brown tuxedo in Georgia. After Six makes a brown tuxedo, but no one carries it in Georgia. Still no luck?
Im getting married in August and hot pink and black is the color of the bridesmaids dresses....what should i do for the groom and groomsmen..i also want to ensure the groom stands out from the grooms men...can the groom wear a black tux with hot pink shirt? would that be to gaudy?..we were thinking that and then the groomsmen with white tux's...I dont know..help!
HI - Not sure if this blog is still active or not...But I too am in search of brown tuxedos, but with one more twist...A mandarin collar. If we cannot find these in brown, would it look bad to have black tuxedos with brown accents with my bridesmaids dressed in brown? Would we be better of to go with ivory tuxedos? We are getting married Nov 1.
Hi,
I have an october wedding coming up. My dress is ivory, my bridesmaid will wear a chocolate brown and i'll have orange flowers. What color tux should the groom and best man wear?
hi my husband is wearing black pants, a black vest and a black tie, with a white shirt and i ivory jacket..we have a wedding and i need to buy him a boutneir but i dont know what color to get..please help..thank you
please send the answer to the last question..above this blg to agk90@aol.com thank you
Any comments/suggestions on microfibre tuexdos? Are they good for summer weddings? And does the tie HAVE TO match the color or the vest?
I posted an order with Marc Richards and esuit.com but they charge extra $100 for international shipping and it takes them 2-3 weeks to even buy the product from their USA wholesler. Thus you wait a long time!! Execstyle.com has same suits cheaper but I found them both one man bands and useless. Marc wanted me to fax scan of credit card statement for a VISA card on an European checking account and was incredibley rude and unhelpful and a bit dumb it must be said.
I have noticed some hollywood types going sans cumberbund or vest with their tux. Is this a look that can be pulled off? I have two black-tie events next week where I will see some of the same people, I am trying to change up my look.
Thanks!
Neither my fiance nor I are crazy about tuxedos with vests for our August '09 wedding. Ourgroomsmen's tuxes are black, two button, normal cut. I'm considering just purchasing long ties that match our color scheme and tying four-in-one or half windsor knots. Do regular long ties sans vests or cummerbunds work with tuxes?
I have been a professional photographer for 25 years, although I'm only 40! I have photographed over 900 weddings and I have never not had a negative issue with men and their tuxedos! I have been on a mission to find out the "rules and guidelines" of The Tuxedo! I do not understand why "instructions" aren't given when the guys get fitted or pick up the tuxedos but, the guys have no idea what to button not button - how to straighten their shirts from the pant hole in the pocket ( I would love to know the appropriate name for that hole).
It makes my job so much easier to say " Guys Always, Sometimes, Never"! But my job would be even easier if the guys were already told button instructions. I could create more photos instead of fixing the guys tuxedos. I could also have an additional hour creating photos/memories if bridal stores would give brides instructions on how to bustle the wedding gown and ways to keep the bustle from ripping an hour into the reception - but that's not your expertise.
So, I'm looking for a list of simple rules and guidelines I can share with the guys to make the day less stressful and more fun for everyone.
Is there anybody out there with ideas?
Can someone wear studs and no cummerbund with their tux? I'm concerned because there are 4 studs and 5 button holes showing. The last being a regular button and not a stud.
Hi, I am attending a work Christmas party and although the dress code is not black tie I want to wear tuxedo trousers but without the jacket, is this a huge faux pas? I am planning to wear them with a fitted shirt and crystal studded black tie. I'm 23, with 36" chest, 28" waist and about 5'10". Opinions please. Thankyou.
What words... super, a remarkable phrase
Hi-
my fiance` just purchased a stunning Hugo Boss Tux for an amazing deal but I'm concerned it didn't come with a vest. It's a 3 button tux with a slimmer cut to it. Is it acceptable now to not wear a vest? I'm only concerned for the reception if he wants to take the jacket off. And should he wear a belt in that case? He's wearing a beautiful textured white Boss shirt with an Ivory tie. Thank you!
I'm getting married in September of this year. However, I'm trying to get a rust color vest and tie for our groomsmen. I can't seem to find the anywhere. I would really love the tie and vest to match the girls bridesmaids dress from Twobirds Bridesmaid. PLEASE HELP!!!!
I just purchased a tuxedo and wear a cumberbund. They all seem to curl. I am in search of a cumberbund that is an even width all the way around. I worn on of these years ago when I was a waiter in a formal dining room. Where do I purchase this style and what is it called, HELP.
NEED HELP-
All I am getting married this summer and just realized this dilemma. I am 6-4/6-5 and will be wearing a tux, suspenders, no cumber bun and bow tie.
The problem lies in that being so tall, more buttons of my formal shirt are exposed, 6 buttons (not including the top covered by the bow tie). The issue here is every stud set only comes with 4 studs and 2 cufflinks. I feel it would look ridiculous to have 4 studs and then 2 buttons on the bottom of the shirt exposed when the jacket comes off during the evening.
Am I correct in this assumption? Does anyone know where to find custom cufflink sets to fit tall individuals or otherwise? Or is it best to buy multiple sets and just throw extras away?
Help! Thanks.
Taylor
I will not wear a cumber bun as this is not 1986
Hi Tyler,
Extra studs won't solve the problem because your formal shirt does not allow for studs in the bottom holes.
Your best bet is to wear a vest which would cover the bottom buttons. Alternatively, swap the bowtie for a long tie - it, too, will cover the bottom 2 buttons.
I have a single breasted 3 button tuxedo jacket notched lapel. Do I need a cummerbund or vest with the bow tie?
Hello R Hamlin,
A 3-button tuxedo will work equally well with matching bowtie and cummerbund set or matching bowtie and vest set. It is truly 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.
Thanks David!! Great blog!
I'm going on a cruise and was advised to wear a tuxedo for the Captain's evening, so I think I'm going to purchase a classic tux I can keep and wear in the future. I'm going for a shawl lapel on the jacket, but I'm not sure about the shirt, should I pick one where the studs/buttons are covered or with the studs showing? But should I have black studs? Also do I want it to have pleats?? Thanks very much!
Hi Wojciech,
Good questions! Like so many opinions on fashion, in this case it is truly whatever you want...within a framework.
Classic formalwear styling would suggest onyx cufflinks and matching studs, white pleated shirt with either a wing or laydown collar. If, however, you are looking to make a fashion statement rather than a classic statement, you can choose a fly-front shirt (no buttons showing) or a non-pleated shirt. It truly depends on your take of how you want to be perceived. Recognize that fashion-forward dressing does open you up for critique from those who disagree with your fashion choices.
Regards,
David
eTuxedo.com
I've always worn a double breasted black tux with a white shirt (ruffled or patterned) on cruises. For our upcoming Caribbean cruise I decided to buy a white dinner jacket. I also had a french blue formal shirt made. My question relates to cummerbunds and ties. Must the tie alays match the cummerbund unless the tie is black? I appreciate your guidance. Thanks.
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your interest in our blog! We appreciate the opportunity to talk about formalwear with you.
White dinner jacket, french blue formal shirt, black pant....sounds sharp! To answer your question - the standard/"right" answer is, Yes, the bowtie needs to match the cummerbund. Further, I would suggest since you are wearing a fashion style - french blue formal shirt - that you should let this part of the wardrobe stand out as your fashion statement and not test the bounds of acceptable with non-matched accessories.
However, the beauty of fashion is there are no rules. Indeed, tuxedos were developed as a fashion answer to break the rules of wearing tailcoats to dinner. that said,you have to be very confident of how you want to be perceived and how comfortable you'll be wearing something "out there".
The upshot - wear a matching bowtie and cummerbund set. Your custom french blue shirt will be a stand-out and there is no need to detract from the outfit you have already put together.
Have fun on your next cruise!
Hi. I am going to an event and wearing a tux. I am planning on wearing suspenders and a cummerbund and im wondering what shirt to wear. The kind with ruffles and small collar nubs. Or a regular dress shirt?
Interesting question - which shirt indeed. Wing vs. laydown, pleated vs. no-pleats. The good news is you cannot make a mistake here (with the exception of wearing a standard white dress shirt). Currently, sal3es of laydown collars are outpacing wing collars by 70/30 ratio. This will likely change going forward as more guys opt for bowties rather than windsor (long) ties. Pleats or no pleats has more to do with where you see yourself on a fashion spectrum rather than right or wrong. A pleated formal shirt is classic and is never wrong. A non-pleated shirt is a fashion look and perfectly acceptable if you are a fashion forward guy. With regards to a standard dress shirt versus a non pleated shirt, the dress shirts does not allow for studs.
Have a great time at your event.
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