How to Build a Tuxedo

If you’re attending a black tie event, it’s more than likely that you will need to dress formally for the occasion. For men, the task at hand is to find the perfect tuxedo. Finding a tuxedo takes a bit of work because you have to build the tuxedo with multiple pieces. While it takes time, effort and money to find the perfect tuxedo, it is well worth it when you do finally find it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• -tuxedo jacket
• -tuxedo pants
• -dress shirt
• -cummerbund
• -dress shoes
• -socks
• -bowtie
• -cuff links

How to Build a Tuxedo

1. Find the jacket and pants. A coordinating jacket and pants make the tuxedo. You can find pants and a jacket or you can get creative and pair up your own two favorite pieces. The classic tuxedo is black; however, many people like to use other colors such s white or navy blue. In recent years, white has become very popular.

2. Pick out your bow tie and shirt. A tuxedo needs to have a dress shirt underneath the jacket. The classic color is white; however, you can experiment with other colors such as cream or taupe. Once you’ve picked out your dress shirt, choose a bow tie. A black bow tie is what classically goes with a tuxedo but feel free to be a rule breaker and pick out a different color.

3. Choose your socks. It’s always important to coordinate your socks with your tuxedo. You don’t want to be that guy sporting the white socks with a black tuxedo. It looks tacky and very unsophisticated. Instead, choose socks that match your pant bottoms. For example, if your suit is black, opt for black socks and if it’s a navy blue tuxedo, go for navy blue socks. However, if you are wearing a white suit the rules are different. Coordinate your sock color with your bow tie color.

4. Pick out a nice pair of dress shoes. Ordinary shoes won’t be appropriate for a tuxedo. You need to have shiny dress shoes. Most individuals opt for black dress shoes. However, dark brown dress shoes look quite classy also. Whatever you do, just make sure that your shoes are shined and scuff free.

5. Add other accessories. If you like cuff links or a cummerbund now is the time to select them. It’s important to select the items for your tuxedo either when you are purchasing it or within the same general time frame. That way, you’re completely prepared.

Tips & Warnings

• If you’re a big and tall man, check out specialty stores geared toward the tall man. You’re likely to find a much bigger selection there.
• No matter what you do, don’t wear white socks. Instead, opt for a sock color that accents your tuxedo.