julyinoh

It's harder to find online than I thought, so I thought I'd ask you. I figured parents would know more about this anyways...

So far, I've gotten that tuxes have a satin lapel, satin-covered buttons, satin trim for the pockets, and the satin stripe down the pants. You also have to wear a tuxedo shirt and either a vest and tie or cummerbund (sp?) and bowtie.

What am I missing?

marite

The appropriate shoes to wear with a tux. If you go a to tux rental shop, they will have everything for you.

snowball

You will also need cufflinks for your shirt and suspenders for your pants. Most men will wear a tuxedo for a formal affair (also called black tie affair.) My husband and son would rather wear their tux than a suit when they attend a black tie optional affair.

BTW, if you need to rent a tux more than twice, you are better off buying one. A tux rental with all the accessories can cost close to $100; you can buy everything for not much more than that with some shopping. I bought my son's tux in high school as he was invited to two black tie weddings and then he would have junior and senior year prom. Of course we had to buy another one in college as the freshman 15+ (due to lack of exercise and too much food) didn't fit as well as it did in high school!!

JHS

Many formal shirts do not have buttons for the three buttons below the collar, and require studs instead. Often cufflinks are sold with matching studs.

My father bought a tuxedo at Paul Stuart in 1952, when he was a senior in college. He gave it to me when I was in high school (and he bought another tux), and I gave it to my son last year. It still looks amazing -- and makes him look like James Bond (Sean Connery James Bond, not any of the losers).

bookworm

JHS
that's terrific! Could focus a short story around that tux

Cards4Life

My brother learned the hard way that tuxedo pants don't have beltloops. He ordered them big because it was during wrestling and thought he'd gain his weight back in time but didn't and was stuck with pants too big with no belt loops. Rocked out the suspenders for the night.

curmudgeon

Good point, snoball. Students, You are continuing to "grow". (Unfortunately, so am I.) Make sure you get waist adjustors on the tux you buy.

UMDAD

I attend about 12 black tie events per year. Everyone thinks it's simple, but you do have a few decisions.

1. You have a lapel decision to make re: the coat - shawl or peak. I believe the shawl lapel is more classic.
2. You don't have a color decision to make - black is the only color.
3. You have a shirt collar decision to make re: the shirt - down or up. I can't remember the terms, but I feel the more classic look is the down collar. The up collar makes you look like you are off the Sopranos. And - NO RUFFLES!! Again, no color decision to make - white is the only color.
4. Always wear dark socks.
5. Don't wear patent leather shoes. If you have the money, buy a nice pair of pumps. Black Belgian slippers or Gucci loafers also work.
6. It's spelled cummerbun and the creases face up.

You can usually get a decent deal on a tuxedo at Jos. Banks. They are pretty good for a starter tuxedo. J Press and Brooks both sell very nice tuxedos.

They are called "tuxedo" because the Prince of Wales wore a coat of that style (ie. without tails) to a formal party in Tuxedo Park, New York.

Dadguy

Tuxedos are a type of apparel that can not die too quick a death.

chocoholic

It is spelled Cummerbund.

And interestingly enough, the reason Cummerbunds should be worn with the openings of the pleats facing up is to hold ticket stubs !!

sjmom2329

Last year, DS needed a tuxedo, and couldn't come home to be fitted. He attends college in rural New Hampshire, so there weren't a lot of options. We were able to take him to a local tuxedo store, and buy the complete outfit for a very reasonable price from their stock. He doesn't have a car at school, so would have difficulty returning a rental. It's worked out great for him, since he also uses it for a performance group.

ldmom06

I agree...buy one if you can. Here in the warmer climates, white or cream dinner jackets are also acceptable.

UMDAD

chocoholic,

You are correct on the spelling - I dropped the "b." Sorry.

I was always told the reason the pleats face up was to catch crumbs from dinner and that they were often referred to as "crumb catchers."

Dadguy,

I have always liked tuxedos - it makes formal dressing for men so easy. No dither about what to wear. When my S is trying to figure out what to wear, I just get the tuxedo out and give it a quick brushing.

Note - always have your tuxedo cleaned after attending a dinner which features heavy cigar smoking - the smell stays in the fabric forever. I usually hang it in the garage when I get home from dinner - presuming I am able to do so.

ldmom06

Also, it should be pointed out rules for semi-formal (black tie) and formal (white tie) are pretty strict, but what you wear DOES depend on where you are going. If we are talking about prom, it is okay to get creative with the tie style and color, and shirt color. I know the younger guys still love the black shirt, black suit tie, tux combo.

julyinoh

Hmmm... someone up there said tuxes only come in shawl and peak lapels. Something wrong with notch lapels?

And I have some questions... does the hole in the lapel actually work? And the buttons on the sleeve?