Buying a Tuxedo

Shopping for a tuxedo can seem to be a daunting task, but doing just a little research can make the entire experience fun as well as a good investment. Once you take into account the costs of rental, you’ll find that it is often economically viable to simply buy your own tux. In the long run you’ll end up saving money if you attend only a few functions that require you to wear one. Buying a used tuxedo can mean you’ll only need to wear it a handful of times for it to pay for itself, and you’ll save yourself the trouble of fitting, renting and returning your tux.

Traditional Tuxedos

When to wear a tuxedo

If you’re one of those people who believe that tuxedos are only for weddings, think again. Many more occasions are becoming tuxedo worthy, from charity dinners to opening nights for theaters and orchestras. If you own one you’ll be able to find even more events you can go to classily dressed. Formal evenings at conferences or conventions apply as well do award ceremonies for many companies and organizations. Any special occasion where women are wearing evening gowns can qualify.

What kind of tux to buy

You may think there aren’t many options when buying a tuxedo, but that’s wrong. There is a lot of variety in the tuxedo world. However, sticking to the classic black jacket and tie has its perks, as it is a style guaranteed to never go out of fashion. If you like to make an entrance, there are a variety of light colored tuxedos that can be used in the summer months, but they do tend to stick out anywhere but at the junior prom. For a traditional look, stick to black or alternatively like midnight blue and gray. The white-jacket James Bond look should only be worn by, well, secret agents and movie stars.

White Tuxedos

Tuxedo jackets

The jacket is what is really going to make or break a tuxedo. Whichever type of jacket you want to get, try to get something lightweight. Most events will be held indoors and you don’t want to be overheated due to your clothing. You can get single- or double-breasted jackets to work well with any occasion. Most are one or two-button, although more fashion-forward tuxes now may have as many as four buttons. Single-breasted jackets are generally worn open with a cummerbund. A double-breasted jacket is worn buttoned when standing. Different lapel styles are what will make the jacket seem to work with you or not. A shawl style lapel will work wonders for a person with a round face. Anyone who wants a slimming look will want a jacket without vents.

Double Breasted Tuxedos

Tuxedo shirts

When it comes to shirts, you want to pay attention to the style of the rest of your outfit to make sure it will not only fit you well, but be comfortable and make your look work! Look at the collar style. Wing collars and turndown collars will look best with a traditional tuxedo. The wing collar shirts may look more stiff and formal while the turndown collars come across softer with a pleated front. The front bib is important too as you want it to fit securely under the waist band, but you don’t want it to extend past the suspenders.

Tuxedo pants

When buying tuxedo pants, consider your jacket style. If you have a jacket with a tailcoat get trousers with two stripes. All other jacket types will look best with a single-stripe trouser. Again, if you have a tailcoat, or are planning to wear a cummerbund, get trousers with a higher waist that will be covered by the jacket or cummerbund. Look at the pocket style too. Vertical pockets are more common because they look more formal; however, it is possible to get other pocket patterns that are usually found in the more relaxed and comfortable style trousers. You must also match the suspenders (or “braces”) at this point.

Tuxedo Bow Ties

And now, the tie and cummerbund

You will also need to get that perfect tie. The tie is your chance to emphasize your personality. While the classic straight black tie is the more traditional look, the bow tie is coming back into fashion. Either of these styles gives you further options. With a straight tie you can choose something wider or thinner. To tell a quality tie, look at it when you put it across your hand. If the material curls a little, then it was probably not cut properly so won’t fall straight after you’ve tied the knot. With a bow tie there are two main styles: bat wing, and thistle, also called butterfly. The bat wing tie has parallel, more rectangular sides on the end of the tie and the thistle has two rounded sections on the end. Each style will give a characteristic look to the tie. For people who really want to stand out, choose a silk scarf or handkerchief to tie your own larger and droopier style of tie. When it comes to tie colors, you’ll want to try to choose a color that works well with your inner shirt and your jacket. Cummerbunds, if worn, should be a direct match to your tie. If you are wearing a more traditional tuxedo, consider a stylish black or grey. If you’ve chosen your look to let your flamboyant nature shine, then pick a color or pattern that matches your personality.

Tuxedo accessories

In addition to all that has been mentioned above remember to complete your ensemble. You’ll want to get dress socks and shoes to complete the look. You will also – no matter what type of jacket you are sporting – want to use cufflinks to set off the look. If you have a specific event approaching, make sure you give yourself plenty of time – several weeks – to get your tuxedo. Remember to have fun with this decision and make a good clothing investment for yourself.