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Tuxedos and Formal Wear Tips
When the invitation says "Black Tie", "White Tie", or "Formal" you should wear a Tuxedo. Although tuxedos have many different styles and contemporary options, stay conservative. Only test the experimental edges of fashion if you will be walking down the red carpeting at a movie premiere or Oscars Night. The scene that comes to mind is Tom Hanks in the movie "BIG". He shows up at a formal corporate party in a hideously inappropriate style of "tux" looking like a gold sequined Liberace in Las Vegas. Here's some other tips:1) When to wear a tuxedo--
* If you are a guest at an evening wedding when the bride wears a bridal gown.
* To any occasion where the host, hostess, or guest of honor is dressed formally.
* To opening evening performances of ballet, opera, or symphony.
* To dinner at any formal restaurant. You should always be dressed as well as your waiter.
* When traveling by limousine after 6:00 p.m.
* When escorting a woman in an evening gown.
* To any ball or formal dance.
2) You should also consider dressing in a tuxedo for--
* Any wedding, or wedding anniversary
* Important birthdays
* Cruises
* Dinner parties
* Important announcements
* Engagements
* New Careers
* Major Changes
* Graduations
* Holiday parties
* Charity Benefits
3) Age-old dilemma--To buy or To Rent. If your life will require wearing a tux twice a year for the next few years consider buying. You get precisely the fit you need, the convenience of not having to be fitted, driving to pick it up, and then returning the tux.
4) Black or midnight blue are the best colors. The pants and slacks should match in color.
5) Keep it simple and traditional. If you are heavy a single-breasted style is preferable. If tall and slender you should try the double breasted tuxedo. And no multi-hued vests or cummerbunds.
6) No matter what type of tuxedo you select, make sure it is of light or tropical-weight wool.
7) A simple white linen pocket square at the breast is the classiest decoration.
8) Cuff links look best if they match your shirtstuds. However, this is not an absolute necessity if they complement the studs in style or match the metal--silver with silver, gold with gold, platinum with platinum. Enamel finished studs or cufflinks also look great.
9) Tuxedo styles such as shawl-collar, single-breasted peak with lapels, and notched-collar tuxedo are just about equally popular.
10) The traditional butterfly bow tie is suitable for any kind of tuxedo. The less common pointed bow looks best with the single or double-breasted peak and a wing collar shirt. The batwing, or square bow, is much narrower than the other two ties.
11) Most formal pants have no loops for belts. If you want security you had better get suspenders--tasteful suspenders designed to complement a tuxedo!
12) Remember, just as women are reputed to love a man in a uniform. An elegantly stylish tuxedo calls attention to YOU, not itself. Women just LOVE a guy in a tuxedo!