About Tuxedos

The first encounter a young man has with a tuxedo might be for his high school prom. The next tuxedo that makes it into his life may be for his wedding or the wedding of a close friend or family member. If he is a social young man who regularly attends formal functions, then he may be more familiar with the tuxedo. Originally the tuxedo was primarily black and white, which allowed the wearer's female companion to command the spotlight in her formal outfit, instead of competing with a dandy's colorful plumage and dress shirt ruffles.

Identification

A tuxedo is a formal ensemble typically worn by a man. Matching tuxedos are often worn by a groom and his groomsmen during a wedding ceremony. A tuxedo is also worn as formal evening wear. While the term "tuxedo" is an American invention, the tuxedo concept comes from England's black ties and dinner jackets, which became popular in the late 1800s. The tuxedo concept has inspired similar-styled pantsuits and dresses for women.

Features

A tuxedo is an outfit that includes a dinner jacket, slacks, cummerbund or waistcoat, tie or bow tie, dress shirt and possibly a vest. A cummerbund is a wide pleated sash that is worn around the waist, under the jacket or vest. Tuxedos earned the nickname "penguin suit" because of their initial black and white coloring. Today, tuxedos come in a wide array of colors and jacket styles. Some include ruffled shirts, as well as cuff links. The black jacket and slacks are still considered to be proper formal wear for some occasions.

Function

Formal dress shoes are worn with the tuxedo, which might include the patent-leather court shoe or black leather oxford. Hosiery should be knee-high, with no turned-down sock cuffs displayed. Hosiery garters have traditionally been used to hold the socks in place. A white linen handkerchief can be tucked into a jacket's front pocket. Pocket watches are not worn with tuxedos, and wristwatches should be slender and discreet.

Considerations

Men who do not regularly attend formal functions typically rent their tuxedos. Wedding parties usually rent tuxedos, which allows for all groomsmen to wear the same style and color. Because members of a wedding party might come from different parts of the country, rental companies have developed a system through which a customer can go to a tuxedo shop in their neighborhood to get measured for the suit. That shop will then send the measurements to the shop that will handle the rentals.

History

Pierre Lorillard IV was a wealthy American tobacco manufacturer who lived from 1833 to 1901. He enjoyed horse racing and sailing, and owned land in an area known as Tuxedo Park in New York. Together with William Waldorf Astor he developed the area into a luxury retreat for the rich. Reportedly Lorillard introduced the English dinner jacket to the United States in 1886. The look caught on, and was dubbed the "tuxedo." Other sources say a man named James Potter initially brought the idea to Lorillard's Tuxedo Club.

Resources

• History of the Tuxedo