How To Wear A Tuxedo

Whether it’s a graduation, baptism or wedding, the word “occasion wear” becomes a more significant option. The classic attires, also in the dark and solid colours, are a valid alternative even if they hint of a little informality; instead the tuxedos because of their shape and origin, have always been the ideal choice for the very special occasions.

How To Wear A Tuxedo

Just simply wearing a tuxedo does not automatically assures refinement and elegance, in fact, there are some rules to be followed as to make the black-tie ensemble really impeccable and avoid making obvious mistakes.

Here are our tips on when, where and how to wear a tuxedo and take the leap towards elegance that is worth turning heads.

Since its origins, tuxedo has always been considered the evening outfit par excellence. The original purpose of this elegant clothing was to replace the suit worn all day, allowing men to leave behind the dirt and smell of a day spent on horseback.

Before the Second World War, tuxedos and tails were still considered the only appropriate clothing for all the elegant social evenings. However, after the war, the traditional suit, or the work suit, began to be accepted more on informal evening and daytime occasions, and so the use of the tuxedo was limited to just formal evening gatherings only.

Evening suits have been designed for “adult” occasions and for this reason the tuxedo is considered traditionally inappropriate for toddlers or young boys. As a general rule, boys should not wear tuxedos before the age of fifteen and tails should not be older than 18.

The tuxedo jacket must be strictly single-breasted without back slits and with a single button front fastening. Lapels? Exclusively peaked or shawl.

The jackets, two or three buttons, the ones you usually wear in the office, instead are not formal enough; better to reserve them for other occasions.

Another detail of the jacket to be kept in mind is the pockets: it is better to opt for welt pockets, they are more formal than the flap pockets.

Choose the colour of your tuxedo between the classic black or the more modern blue. With black are always playing a safe game; blue is a more modern choice for the more daring gentlemen, although you should evaluate the colours according to the context of the event.

A white shirt with wingtip collar, to be worn with black bow tie, is a no-brainer.

The shirt of a black-tie look must be strictly white and can be personalized with the appropriate tuxedo collar. It is also called wingtip collar which is characterized by the typical front wings and is designed to be worn with the bow tie.

The bow tie? Black in silk. The white bow tie only compliments the tailcoat. At least once, leave the tie in the closet.

In the choice of trousers, wearing trousers that include the application of braces, the belts, as practical, are not suitable for a look as formal as black tie.

Choose black or white braces in fabric, rather than in leather, or in any case they should be matching the colour of the tuxedo. Finally, avoid trousers with lapels or pleats, once again not formal enough for the occasion.

Wear shiny black or matte laced shoes. Even embroidered slippers can suit you fine in this case, just do not wear shoes that contains too many details.

The socks must be black and up to the knee. No exceptions will do any justice to the look.