Tuxedo types - Tuxedos for all formal wear occasions
Selecting the tuxedo for your formal event is simple once you understand the terminology and the formality of the occasion. Match the type of coat with the affair and then add your accessories.
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In choosing the right style of formal wear, consider the time of day your event starts (morning, afternoon, or evening), the formality of the event (traditional, ultra-formal, formal, semi-formal, contemporary) and the dress requirement listed on the invitation. The formal wear you decide upon may be a simple tuxedo, or something more elegant.
- Cutaway coat – a long coat usually in dark grey, worn in morning weddings.
- Designer – fashion formal wear uniquely designed by the top menswear names, such as Armani, Hugo Boss, and Ralph Lauren.
- Dinner jacket – formal standard length evening jacket with notched or shawl collar, in white or ivory only.
- Director's suit – similar to a business jacket, worn for a daytime formal wedding only.
- Full dress tails or tailcoat - short in the front and long in the back, the black coat for the most formal occasions.
- Regular coat – the formal coat length which extends to the second knuckle, worn at daytime or evening occasions.
- Stroller – daytime formal coat with a regular cut but does not have a satin lapel, worn with contrasting vest and a four-in-hand tie.
- Tails – high end formal dress coat with a cosmetic vent in the back of the coat, creating the rear tails. Reserved for the ultra formal, evening occasions.
- Tuxedo – the standard formal coat length, with single or double breasted satin lapels. Common word to describe all men's formal wear. Suitable for almost all formal occasions, including weddings, prom and tux required events.
- Vintage – outdated styles (retro) that are no longer manufactured but still classic formal wear.
- Waist coat / Eton / Spencer – a coat that is tight fitting and ends at the waist. Worn at evening functions with matching or contrasting trousers.
A brief word about colors
Black or grey formal wear offers timeless elegance. To add a touch of color, accent your look with a colored vest, pocket square or cummerbund. White tuxedos are only for certain tropical climates; it is best to avoid them. Pastel colored tuxedos are starting to come back, but steer clear of them. Even selecting a colored vest can be tricky – you may not match the colors the bride or your date will be wearing.
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