Tuxedo Suits for Him

There are some garments that are kept back for special occasions, and none more so than the classic tuxedo. Considered the ultimate in formal elegance, there is a right way and a wrong way to wear a tuxedo, and there are also occasions where you should pick one over a standard suit. When should a man wear a tuxedo, with what, and where? It’s all complex when it comes to male styling etiquette these days, but thankfully we are here to help! We’ll start by saying that every man’s wardrobe should include a classic tuxedo, as you never know when one may be required.

The Tuxedo Defined

What is a tuxedo, and how does it differ from a standard suit jacket? The tuxedo has its roots in the traditional English style of ‘smoking jacket’, a garment worn by gentleman after dinner when they would retire for a cigar, pipe or cigarette. This goes back as far as the 17th century! The jacket was solely for this purpose, as it would keep other garments free from ash and the smell of smoke.

In the latter part of the 1800’s the tuxedo became a choice of elegant evening wear after the then Prince Edward VII had a jacket made for informal after dinner wear. Thus, the tuxedo as we know it was born! The origin of the name is not certain, but is thought to come from an American town of that name where the wearing of such ‘dinner jackets’ caught on.

When to Wear a Tuxedo

While we will always say that there are no hard and fast rules as to what you choose to wear, there is an exception: it is an unwritten rule that a tuxedo is simply not daytime attire! Unless, that is, you wear one for your profession, or you are specifically requested to wear a tuxedo. This is one reason why you should also have a selection of daytime suits, such as those you can choose from if you click here, in your wardrobe, as well as your tuxedo.

These days, you can choose whether to wear a suit or tuxedo to formal events (again, unless specifically requested) but that was not always the case. Even up to the middle of the 20th century, a gentleman would routinely wear a tuxedo to evening events, and a daytime suit to others. If the event is high formal, then there is no doubt that a tuxedo will be the jacket of choice for any discerning man.

Further Tuxedo Etiquette

Despite the above statement that the tuxedo is not for daytime wear, in the USA it is becoming more commonplace for men to wear one for lunchtime events. In the UK, however, post-6pm is the general rule for tuxedo’s. If you are not sure what your hosts require, then you can always ask, and it is generally polite to know what to where for any occasion.

Your invitation should inform you of the dress code – ‘black tie’ is most certainly a tuxedo event – and even if there is no mention of black tie wear, you might be requested to wear a tuxedo, or ‘evening wear’. You should wear a tuxedo to the opera, the ballet and to opening nights of shows, as this is also traditional dress for such occasions in the UK.

There is also a trend towards wearing the tuxedo to gala events and similar invite-only occasions, but how should you wear a tuxedo?

How to Wear a Tuxedo

There are simple rules as to how to wear a tuxedo: first, it should be a single-breasted example – this is set in stone and there are no exceptions. It should be black, for high formal occasions, blue for less strict occasions, and ivory if you wish for summer events. White is Hollywood only, and is very difficult to get right!

Worn with a white shirt with a wingtip collar, a black bow tie and trousers that are strictly formal – and don’t forget your best pair of black, highly-polished brogues – the tuxedo is a choice for the gentleman who knows what style and elegance are, so have a look now and get measured for a jacket that will take pride of place in your wardrobe.

SHARE THIS POST