By
eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Invest in a tuxedo if you think you'll have a lot of black-tie events in the coming years. In the long run it may prove more economical than renting.
Step2
Buy a tuxedo that has a black tie and black cummerbund. This will provide you with a basic, elegant "black-tie" look that will match any formal outfit your date may wear. You can always rent white or colored accessories should the need arise.
Step3
Rent a tuxedo for the occasional formal evening. Place your request well in advance of the event. Choose a colored cummerbund that matches your date's dress, or opt for the ever-stylish black.
Step4
Get fitted. Inseam and waist measurements are key for a comfortable and stylish pant, while a well-fitting shoulder, back and arm will ensure a sharp-looking jacket.
Step5
Personalize your look by selecting a jacket and shirt unique to your taste and build. Jacket cuts vary from cropped to smoking. Shirtfront options include fine pleats or delicate ribs, black enamel or pearl-like buttons.
Step6
Remember the sequence for getting dressed in a tux. Underwear and socks followed by shirt and pants. Add the cummerbund then jacket, followed by your tie, then shoes.
Comments
storyboy said
on 7/14/2008 If your host is using the term correctly, "Black tie" means semi-formal evening wear (dinner jacket/tuxedo worn after six o'clock). If you think your host means something else, ask, or assume that the host knows what he/she is talking about.
Unless you are attending a "West Coast Black Tie" (Hollywood style) event, or "Red Sea rig" is indicated (warm weather with dinner jackets off, may call for red bow tie and cummerbund), you will be expected to wear a black bow tie and cummerbund or waistcoat. Your shirt should be white. Your shoes should be shiny, plain and black. Cummerbund pleats face up, like a pocket, you should be able to place something in the pleats from above, say a valet-parking ticket.
Black tie is for semi-formal, as contrasted with white tie or formal evening occasions, and so, while there is some room for variation (midnight blue jacket or white dinner jacket in th
johnmartin78 said
on 7/11/2008 I've been looking around for Dress codes being explained, here you can find all the dress codes (as well as other fashion tips) explained
execstyle.blogspot.com
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 Forget tuxedos, you don't want to look like James Bond for a formal event. Invest in full Scottish Highland Dress and you're sure to turn heads whilst still being appropriately formal!
Anonymous said
on 3/8/2006 Every gentleman should own a tuxedo. And it doesn't need to be expensive. Just don't rent it. Who wants to wear something some high school kid wore to his prom the week before?
Go to a high-class second hand shop; every city has them. You may have to make several trips before you find one that fits your body and your style, but it is worth it. By definition, tuxes are worn only several times a year at most, so it shouldn't have much wear. Buy your own studs, cufflinks, shirt and black cummerbund and tie. Everything should cost you under $250.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Tuxedo is the American word for dinner jacket after the place where they were popularized (previously evening tails were de-rigeur). White tuxes are still much more popular in the US than in the UK.