The tuxedo is one of the most classic styles of wedding attire. And yet, most of us are unfamiliar with the nuances of how to pick the perfect tuxedo for a wedding. This handy guide to wedding tuxedos will help make finding the right attire for your wedding party a snap.
First of all, make sure that your wedding is going to be formal enough to call for tuxedos. At semi-formal weddings, a dark suit is more appropriate. Although etiquette traditionally states that tuxedos should only be worn after 6pm, they are often worn for formal daytime weddings, as they will run well into the evening hours. For a formal summer wedding, a white dinner jacket worn with black tuxedo pants can be a dashing look, although you may also run the risk of looking like the waitstaff, so be careful.
The classic all black tuxedo is appropriate for any season. Navy blue is also technically correct for tuxedos, but in reality is rarely worn. This is especially true for a wedding party, as the groomsmen are likely to be renting their attire from different shops and you would end up with a variety of shades of navy. Black is definitely safer.
There are more varieties of tuxedo jackets than you might think. The most common basic shape is the single breasted jacket, which is available with one, two, or three buttons. The fewer the number of buttons, the lower the "stance" or open area of the jacket. This can be a useful visual trick for a shorter man who wishes to elongate his appearance. For most men, the two or three button jacket is a nice choice. When it comes to buttoning a three button jacket, remember this rule of thumb, working from the top down: sometimes, always, never. In other words, you should always button the middle button, sometimes the top one, but never the bottom one.
Another option for a tuxedo jacket is the double breasted version. This is sometimes recommended for very slim men who want to appear broader. There are several disadvantages to the double breasted tux, however; for one thing, you must always keep it buttoned shut, because it does not sit well when the jacket is unbuttoned. Also, double breasted suits are not particularly in style right now, and you run the risk of looking like a mafia don.
There are other details to think about when choosing the tuxedos for your wedding. Some of these are collar shape, type of tie, cummberbund or vest, and stripe or no stripe on the trousers. There are three basic collar shapes: notched lapels, peak lapels, or shawl collars. The notched is the most subtle and the most common. A peak lapel has a stronger notch and runs a bit wider, which can be useful for men who wish to appear broader through the chest. The shawl collar is rounded, and has an old-fashioned charm.
As for the rest of the ensemble, there are a few things to keep in mind. If your style is more classic, go with a bow tie and a cummberbund. For a more modern effect, the vest paired with a straight tie will be ideal. Many people also like vests because they are an easy place to add a splash of color to the men's attire, and they also can be slimming. Whether your style is modern or classic, opt for a pleated or flat front shirt over one of those frightening ruffled ones!
Don't overlook the small details, either. You will need cufflinks and shirt studs (which can make excellent groomsmen gifts), as well as the right dress shoes and socks. If you decide to give your groomsmen cufflinks as their gifts, it is especially thoughtful to choose ones that can be monogrammed. With all of your details arranged, you can be certain that all of the men in your wedding will look debonair in their perfect tuxedos.
