Tuxedo Styles

Choose a tuxedo that is suitable for both your style and occasion.

Just as your needs to wear a tuxedo varies so does the style of the suit you choose. Whether you're escorting your date to a formal party or getting ready for your wedding day, knowing the different tuxedo styles will help you look your best without sacrificing your own personal style.

Classically Cool

Ask for a classic tuxedo when you simply need to dress to impress with no muss, no fuss. A traditional tux is the standard suit of choice when you need dress appropriately for an evening event or black tie affair. Single-breasted tuxedos with a button are the most common. You can wear a cummerbund or waistcoat underneath the jacket. A black bow-tie finishes this look with style.

Notch Lapel

Many of the suit styles have optional features that you can choose simply based on the look you want and how it accentuates your body type. You'll need to decide if you like peak, notch or shawl style lapels for any given suit. A notch lapel has a v-shaped cut from the fabric at the lapel area and is designed to accentuate the chest and broaden the shoulders.

Peak Lapel

A peak lapel is very similar to the notch, however the lapel is broad and points upward and out, which narrows the space in the middle of the collarbone and chest. This style gives you a bit of individuality while both lengthening and broadening your torso.

Shawl Lapel

Choose a shawl style suit for a slightly more casual look where the collar line drops down to the waist in a rounded tapered line. The lapel of the shawl usually is available in a variety of fabrics such as satin or black on black texture like paisley or stripes. This look is an essential choice to elongate the frame.

Suit Colors

Black is the tuxedo color of choice at most affairs and is your best bet if you're unsure of how creative to be with your personal style for the event. Dark navy blue is your next best choice followed by dark gray or smoky gray. When style is just as important as your overall look, bold guys will opt for a white tux.

The Tuxedo Pro

If the idea of selecting the perfect tuxedo is not daunting to you, play with options and features to customize your tux for the look you love. From top hats, gloves and tails to colored or patterned cummerbunds and waistcoats, the combinations are as vast as your imagination. Don't overdo it by selecting every option available to you. You want to look dapper and stylish, not like you're in costume. Other tuxedo options to play with are substitutions of your bow tie for an ascot, a standard white shirt for a wing-collared dress shirt or the style of pants.

References

• The Knot: Tuxedo Styles
• Esquire: The Everyman's Guide to Black Tie