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Formalwear
Styles
Take a tip or
two from the formal wear experts - don't
know what kind of tuxedo is best for your
occasion? We've got some helpful hints that
can aid in your decision.
When choosing
your tuxedo, for your next formal occasion
consider these options:
1. The time of
day.
Daytime:If you're dressing for an event
that takes place before 4 pm, for an
ultra-formal look you can choose the
traditional "morning suit", which consists
of a cutaway coat
(short in the front, but tapers to long in
the back) and striped trousers
with a vest and ascot or 4-in-hand tie. For
a look that's more modern and
still formal, choose an updated cutaway coat
and striped trousers, but
with a spread collar shirt, vest, and
4-in-hand instead.
Evening:
After 4 pm, the ultra formal look includes a
black tailcoat (or "tails") white vest and
tie,and can even include accessories like
gloves, hats, and canes. For a more modern
formal look for evening, choose a jacket
style that suits you - tails,
tuxedo coat, or dinner jacket with black
or
colored vests,
cummerbunds, and
accessories to match the wedding colors,
or to suit your personal style.
2. The lapel
of the coat.
-
Notch Lapel is the most popular look
today. The collar makes an indented
"notch" where the collar meets the
lapel.
-
Shawl Collar is a classic look. The
slightly curved collar sweeps along both
sides of the jacket and tapers all the
way down to the button.
- Peak
Lapels are more European, the collar
actually pointing upward toward the
shoulders in two strong "peaks".
3. The
formality of the guests.
If you've
asked your guests to attend in black tie,
then you, too, must wear at least the
traditional formal black tie combination, at
the most an ultra formal white tie and
tails.
4. Your own
taste.
The
guidelines above are based on tradition and
nothing more - and sometimes nothing is more
fun than creating your very own look, which
may include a
themed vest and tie set or a vest
or cummerbund splashed with color, or
matching the colors of your date. Don't
forget to account for your personal taste -
it's your day, after all, so you might as
well make yourself happy while being formal
all at the same time!
Glossary of
Terms:
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