A tuxedo is a semi-formal dress consisting of a black coat with lapels, black pants, black bow tie, black socks, black shoes, black cummerbund, and a white shirt. It is a popular alternative to white tie dress and can be rented for less than $100.
“Tuxedo” can be used to describe a type of semi-formal dress also known as a black tie, or more specifically, the jacket worn with black tie attire. In some parts of the world, a tuxedo is known as a dinner jacket.
There is no strict convention governing what precisely comprises a tuxedo, given its relatively informal nature as a dress code. Typically, a tuxedo consists of a black coat with lapels, black pants, black bow tie, black socks, black shoes, black cummerbund, and a white shirt. In some parts of the world it is acceptable to wear a white coat, usually in hot climates or during the warmer seasons of the year.
Novelty tuxedos are available in a wide range of colours, most popularly pink and baby blue, but these should not be considered appropriate for a semi-formal occasion. Many people wear finery with their tuxedos, such as fancy cufflinks or breast pocket handkerchiefs, and in most circles this is considered perfectly acceptable.
While the shirt of a tuxedo is normally pure white, care must be taken to complement the color of the date’s dress. This is considered particularly important at weddings, when an inappropriate white shirt can cast the wrong tone on the bride’s dress. In this case, it is acceptable to choose an off-white shirt similar to the couple’s dress.
Good tuxedos are made from wool, while polyester or wool-polyester blends are generally considered sub-par. Thread count ranges from worsted to 60-75 threads per inch, up to 120 threads per inch, by fine names like Lubiam and Andrew Fezza. The number of buttons on the tuxedo is a matter of personal preference; Many people find that more buttons seem more fashionable, but a jacket with single or double buttons is much more traditional in appearance.
A decent tuxedo can be rented for less than $100 (US dollars) in most cities, although for best results, a tuxedo should fit the wearer. Preparations for a tuxedo should begin at least two months in advance, and conventional wisdom holds that if you plan to attend black tie events more than three times a year, you should have your own tuxedo.
While many people consider tuxedos to be formal attire, it’s important to note that they are, in fact, a semi-formal alternative to the more appropriate white tie dress. The white tie includes a black coat complete with tails (as opposed to a short coat), black braided pants, black socks and shoes, a black top hat, white bowtie, white cummerbund, white shirt and collar, both rigid and a coat. Tuxedos were adopted primarily as a relief from the high maintenance required for white tie attire, particularly the starch of the undershirt. In addition to the handkerchief and cufflinks often seen with a tuxedo, the white tie can also include a cane and white dress gloves.
As traditions in the West evolve, the prevalence of white-tie events is quickly giving way to events where a tuxedo is the preferred form of clothing. Only a few events in the upper strata of society require something more than a tuxedo, which is easily rented at a local store.
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