BLACK TIE ETIQUETTE

Not sure what to wear for a particular event? Not sure how to wear that cummerbund? Do you wear tails? Or, a morning suit? White tie? Black tie? HELP!

Just click on one of the links below for answers to all of your formalwear questions and more.

Which style of Tuxedo is most traditional

Which Style of Tuxedo Should You Wear?

What Is A Tuxedo?

Choosing Your Formalwear

Who Should be Wearing Tuxedos for Your Wedding?

What Style of Tuxedo is most Traditional?

There are essentially 3 styles - traditional, modern classic and fashion forward.

The most traditional tuxedo style is the single-breasted, 1-button, peak lapel tuxedo. While this is the most traditional, it is not the most popular. That honor goes to the 1-button notch lapel tuxedo.

Nonetheless, any of the 1-button single breasted styles will last you for years to come. These styles are always in fashion. Sure, the lapel width may fluctuate over the years, but these styles are the classics.

Although not the most traditional, 2 and 3 button tuxedos are your modern classics and are very appropriate formal attire.

As you venture into 4, 5, 7 and 9 button tuxedos, you move further onto the ever-changing fashion world's timeline. In these styles coat lengths will vary with the number of buttons.

What Style of tuxedo should i wear?

White Tie
This is the most formal outfit - and it is quite specific. White tie means you should be wearing a full dress tailcoat, tuxedo trouser, white pique formal shirt, white pique vest, and a white pique bow-tie. No you can't substitute a regular tuxedo for the tails.

It is very inappropriate to substitute a regular length tuxedo jacket for a full dress tailcoat. Mother of pearl cufflinks and studs along with black patent formal shoes are a must to finish the look.

Black Tie
Most formal affairs fall into this category. Black tie means you need to wear a tuxedo. Single breasted or double breasted, peak, notch, or shawl collar will do. It's your choice. Your tuxedo will need a formal shirt (no you can't just wear a white dress shirt - everyone will know you're trying to cut corners), bow-tie and cummerbund set or vest and tie set, cuff links and studs. A traditionalist will wear a black bow-tie and cummerbund set, and black, round cuff links and stud set. If you would like to be less formal then wear a vest and tie set instead of the cummerbund.

A traditionalist wears a black cummerbund and tie set accompanied by a simple white tuxedo shirt and a cufflink and stud set. Black patent formal shoes is a must to finish the look.

For the more fashion minded gentleman, fancy vests, bow ties, formal long ties and shirts can be substituted for the traditional look.

Creative Black Tie
There is no definition for this, that is, most anything goes as long as you are wearing a tuxedo jacket. One shudders to think some may voluntarily choose to wear a tuxedo jacket and bluejean cut-offs. We believe creative black tie provides you with the opportunity to allow your personal flair to shine. This includes but is not limited to wearing a colored tuxedo jacket and shirt.

Formal daytime affair?
For the staunch traditionalist, formal morning and afternoon weddings require either a stroller or a cutaway jacket. It is accompanied with contrasting striped trousers, dove colored vest with ascot or 4 in hand tie.

What Is A Tuxedo?

Jackets - A tuxedo jacket is a formal suit in that the lapels are made of or trimmed in satin or silk, pockets are trimmed in satin or silk, and the front buttons are usually covered in satin or silk. Tuxedo jackets come in a variety of button stances.

Pants
Tuxedo trousers are trimmed with either satin or braided trim on the aoutside seam and should be worn with a plain bottom without cuffs. Tuxedo trousers are generally accompanied with braces (suspenders) and have no belt loops.

Shoes
Proper formal tuxedo shoes are made of shiney patent leather. Lace up or loafer styles are acceptable.

Shirts
Tuxedo shirts come in 3 styles - wing tip, laydown, and mandarine. Traditionalists will wear a white wing tip or laydown shirt. Fashion concious people will consider the mandarine style or a colored shirt. Tuxedo shirts are finished off with formal cufflink and stud sets.

Topcoat
The "right" coat to wear with a tuxedo is a chesterfield topcoat. This is a grey herringbone coat with a velvet collar. Alternatively, a black full length trenchcoat will also work.

Who Should Be Wearing Tuxedos For Your Wedding?

Groom
Best Man
Groomsmen
Ushers
Ring Bearer
Father of Bride
Father of Groom
Grandfather of Bride
Grandfather of Groom

Choosing your formalwear

Here are some of the basics to help you make your choices:

	Peak lapel - This is a wider lapel that comes to a peak - just like most double breasted suits.
	Notch lapel - This is the same type of lapel line that a single breasted suit has.
	Shawl collar - this is a long, continuous lapel line, somewhat rounded in shape.
	Single breasted - The most popular style, simple, clean and neat.
	Double breasted - This fashion style features an overlapping coat with 2 rows of buttons that button to the side, rather than down the center of the coat.
	Cummerbund - a pleated sash worn around your waist, usually solid black, always with a bow-tie cut from the same cloth and always worn with the pleats facing up.
	Ascot - an alternate choice for neckwear, available in black, silver, and tan.
	Wing-tip formal shirt - The most popular formal shirt style which features 2 small "triangles" for a collar.
	Lay-down formal shirt - This formal shirt has a full collar - just like a dress shirt.
	Stud set - 4 pieces of jewelry which take the place of buttons on your formal shirt. Looks very suave.