Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with tuxedo

Suit Overkill

Big Fat Tycoon — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:17:26 -0800

Can I wear a tuxedo shirt with a normal suit jacket? I'm attending a reception being thrown for me in another city, a little while after my actual wedding ceremony. I have a black suit with subtle white pinstripes (from a distance the suit looks black) that I wanted to wear instead of buying a whole new suit, so I bought a black and white tie that looks fairly formal. All I needed now was a different shirt.

I wanted to get a new white shirt to go with it, like a normal office-style shirt but maybe of slightly better material, but ended up picking up a tuxedo shirt (with the vertical pleats) and cufflinks, based on the saleswoman telling me that some people wore tuxedo shirts with normal suit jackets if they wanted to have a get-up that wasn't fully formal, but now I'm wondering if anyone actually does this. I've tried to find some reference on the web to wearing tuxedo shirts with a typical suit jacket but haven't really found much. What's the dapper man's take on this? Am I going to look like a clown with this mix of clothes?

I still have the option to return everything, so I'm not too worried but it'd be nice to have more of a clue about this.

Help me with my lazy tuxedo costume

Stylus Happenstance — Sat, 16 May 2009 14:01:48 -0800

I'm supposed to dress as a movie character for an event. My lazy plan is to wear a tuxedo and say I'm James Bond. Who else can I be? I figure there must be many characters I can be with just a tuxedo, and I'd like to be able to tell different people different things when they ask me who I'm supposed to be. I'm tall and skinny with medium length brown hair, if it matters.

Where can you get a custom tuxedo in SF bay?

Ekidnagrrl17 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:44:02 -0800

My partner is trying to get a James Bond (Sean Connery era) replica tuxedo made, any thoughts on where he should go?

Picking out men's clothes for wedding

patrad — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:34:00 -0800

Where should I go for advice for dressing groomsmen and myself (the groom) for my summer wedding? I need help. I'm horrible with men's fashion and I'm faced with deciding the groomsman outfits and my outfit for my wedding. I'm getting married in at the height of summer, outside, here: http://www.cdandme.com

The bride and I have decided to go it pretty casual, I'm thinking linen suit for myself or list colored tux. Shirt and slacks for groomsman, no tie or jacket.

I don't need you to tell me exactly what to wear, but in general where I should go for advice. I live in Chicago and right now all I know is that I should probably just make an appointment at men's warehouse. Would another custom clothier be possible? Could a department store help? Nordstroms? Macys? If so, what about the groomsman who live out of town? Would they just send in the measurements?

I would not mind buying or renting my outfit. If possible I would like to keep the groomsman under $125 (buying or renting) for their stuff.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

I need a tuxedo......t-shirt!

chrisfromthelc — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:50:49 -0800

I need a tuxedo t-shirt. Oh, and I need it by Friday. I'm seeing a friend this weekend, and as a part of a long-running, convoluted joke, I need to show up wearing a tuxedo t-shirt. I only realized that I needed it this morning, and have been racking my brain trying to think of a place in Houston that carries that sort of stuff.

Any ideas?

Buy or rent a tux?

philosophygeek — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:22:14 -0800

I'm trying to decide how often I would need to wear a tuxedo to have it make more sense to buy one rather than renting each time. Obviously the financial factor is part of it, but there are also advantages to being able to personalize the accessories (cuff links, tie, etc) that would make a purchase more valuable over time, as well as not having to go through the rental process each time. Conversely, I don't know how much "give" tuxes have to accommodate, e.g., putting on or taking off a few pounds, or how much minor alterations cost, but those would weigh in favor of renting. I'm looking for advice on how to decide at what point it makes more sense to buy and when I should keep renting.

This tuxedo fits OK, but could be better

Mapes — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:31:17 -0800

Recommend a tailor in the DC area for suit alterations with a 1-2 day turnaround? With five days until my wedding in DC, Macy's has done a poor job fitting my tuxedo jacket. I'd like to have the sleeves shortened and the jacket slimmed a bit. Can you recommend a good tailor in the DC area who could handle a 1-2 day turnaround? I'll be flying down there on Tuesday. Thanks!

Where in/near Boston should I buy a tuxedo?

Perplexity — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:56:01 -0800

Where in/near Boston should I buy a tuxedo? I need to buy a tuxedo for my wedding. Where in/near Boston should I shop? I'm somewhat on the clueless side about fashion so I'm looking for a place with knowledgable and helpful staff who will walk me through all my options, etc. I'm not very price-concious for this purchase. I'm in my late 20s and tend to dress pretty conservatively. Thanks for any suggestions!

Made to order, but on the cheap

mutantdisco! — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:57:00 -0800

I'm participating in a wedding shortly and am thinking of buying a tuxedo online, then having it locally altered in Toronto. Has any one had experience or tips in doing this? Is it worth my time (and money) to buy online? Bonus question: Does anyone have a recommendation for a good tailor in Toronto to perform the alterations?

Tuxedo t-shirt in Seattle?

imaswinger — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:27:12 -0800

Where to buy a tuxedo t-shirt today in Seattle? Looking for that classic cheesy black t-shirt with the tuxedo in white on the front. I've tried Atlas and Redlight, but no luck. I'm not from here, so I don't really know where else to look. thanx!

Morning dress - where to buy/rent for a Miami wedding?

Kevin A — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:08:33 -0800

I'd like me and my groomsmen to be clad in morning attire when I get married in Miami a year or so hence. Morning dress is relatively rare in the US, and I was wondering if anyone who has had experience putting together this look for a wedding can recommend any good outfitters. We're probably going to buy for the groom and rent for the groomsmen. Any suggestions? There is plenty of lead time so I would be open to ordering from a non-Miami location. Any other advice on pulling off morning attire greatly appreciated!

Are tails too much for an evening bat mitzvah party?

djb — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:22:01 -0800

Tails or too long for a tux? I'm attending a bat mitzvah party at 7:30 tonight (past sunset). Dress code is Black Tie. I rented a tux without knowing that the coat had tails. I have the option to swap it for a non-tails coat, but one that will be a 36L (vs 36R on the one I have, which fits well) with the sleeves taken in. Advice?

Rental or store-bought?

zardoz — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 21:57:53 -0800

Should I get married wearing a tuxedo or a suit? My wedding is in October, and while the fiancee has moved the heavens and the earth to get her perfect dress, it's hit me that I have no idea what to wear. It'll be a very small ceremony with just family members, though in a very nice church. Being a cheap bastard, I can't help but think pragmatically that buying a suit--a nice one with a vest--would make the most sense as I could use it in the future. Any advice on this?

Long distance tuxedo rental?

bdk3clash — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 10:00:09 -0800

Is there a store where I can get measured for a rental tuxedo in the Chicago area (preferably in the northern suburbs or in the city) and pick it up at a later date in New York City?

Marines are notoriously strict about dress codes.

ChasFile — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:28:25 -0800

Where can I rent a tuxedo for Friday night (just over 48 hours from now) in New York City?

What do I wear to my evening wedding?

xenoworx — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 11:42:48 -0800

I'm a Brit getting married in San Francisco in September (outdoors). My fiancee will have her wedding dress, of course, but what should I wear? I'm not a fan of the traditional American Tuxedo-look - I'm not going to a ball. Where I come from, it's the traditional morning suit/top hat, but the event will be after 5pm so technically that's out and we're back to black tie. A lounge suit is out - It's not a business meeting
A white suit is definitely out - I'm not a pimp
A friend suggested white tie, but I'd look like an orchestra conductor (or about to be knighted by Her Majesty, some chance).
A nice dinner jacket/single stripe trouser with a straight tie in a pale blue or grey silk (and matching waistcoat) is the best I've found so far, but I'm still not totally happy with it.

Argh, I'm getting frustrated at my sartorial helplessness!

Should I buy a tuxedo?

paul_smatatoes — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 20:07:29 -0800

Is buying a tux worth it? I've got a black tailored suit already, but I'm attending a "black tie" wedding in less than two months, and starting to think I might get enough mileage out of a tux to make it worthwhile. As they say, it pays for itself if you wear it twice. I've already asked around and the consensus among a couple NYC fashion editor friends is that you only need to own a tux if you're planning on a career in politics. Is that just because they're very fashion forward, or can I really get away with a sharp black suit at black tie events for the rest of my life?

But I Don't Need It To Fit Under A Wetsuit

rossination — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:46:25 -0800

I am in search of a great tuxedo shirt. I need a new tux shirt, as my old one is sweat-stained and worn.

The shirt ought to be very traditional; French cuffs, white, tuxedo-style collar. Modern tux shirts are kind of fun, but not what I'm looking for here. Ideally, it will be of good quality (often tux shirts are really super-thin, such that when you take your jacket off, you can see your skin through the arms) and it must fit my ogreish frame: 17.5/37.

It would be fantastic if it were some sort of "tailored fit" - I am neither skinny nor fat, and dress shirts in my neck size and arm length always seem to be too billowy for me. But, this is sort of secondary; I'm willing to have a tailor alter it if need be. I'm mostly concerned about having sleeves that are long enough, and having a quality garment that I will enjoy wearing with the rest of my tux.

And, of course, it would be nice if it were reasonably priced - under $50 would be great. I realize that this may be unrealistic, but it's worth a shot. My normal go-to source for shirts would be Gap (for casual stuff and/or stuff where I'm not terribly concerned about longevity) or Land's End (for stuff where I'm not terribly concerned about "hipness"), but neither of them sell tuxedo shirts.

I bought my last tux shirt at the Men's Wearhouse, where I got the tux. It is "size XXL" which, as you could imagine, is about the least helpful thing out there. It is too short in the sleeves and the torso (comes untucked all the time), despite being enormously cut through the chest and belly.

Queer eye for a big guy...

juliewhite — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 03:24:25 -0800

I am having a suit and/or tuxedo made tomorrow in Shanghai. I don't know squat about fashion, and I am a pretty big guy. Help me pick some clothing that will look good on me. I can get a custom tailored suit for under $100 in Shanghai - how can I not?! I'll be there for eight days (six real days, travelling two, but I think I might be able to get measurements taken on the first travel day).

I'm 6' 2", 270 lbs, I was never a football player, but people always ask if I was. Broad shoulders, not particularly muscular, but (obviously) not a twig; fair amount of gut. I don't know where I hide it, but I look pretty good for a guy who is nearly 300 pounds...

So... What kind of suit will look good on me? What particular suit features am I looking to stock up on or diminish? I am looking for something that will look good five years from now (i.e., classic, not cutting edge fashion).

Similarly, for a tuxedo, what is a timeless look for a big guy? Wow... my own tux! How cool is that?

Tuxedo shopping in San Francisco

jjg — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 12:43:17 -0800

Where can I buy a nice tuxedo in San Francisco, and how much should I expect to pay?

Where's a good place to buy a dinner jacket in London?

greycap — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:20:28 -0800

Good places to buy a dinner jacket in London. I need a new dinner jacket. My current one - which was inherited from my dad to begin with - is now an aged veteran of various university and work parties and dinners, and is more "vomit battledress" than "smart". I'm looking to get a new one, something fairly classic that won't age too badly.

Can anyone recommend any decent places to buy one in London? My first thought was Marks and Spencers, but I haven't been too impressed with the quality of the ones on display there and wonder if I can get a better deal elsewhere.

Some details:
- I'm willing to spend up to 200-250 pounds
- happy to consider second hand if it's in good condition
- happy to travel a bit outside London if there is an absolutely fantastic shop

Be my Q. Help me crash a party like James Bond.

maxpower — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 06:39:00 -0800

A secret cabal of family members is having a rather big party this summer on the shores of Lake Huron. My mission: arrive in style a la James Bond. I've checked out their security, and although strong on three sides, they haven't guarded the lake. Fools. I would like to arrive via the lake. However, I'm having a tough time with what to wear. Preferably, I'd like to slip out of my wetsuit into a crisp, wrinkle free tuxedo. Is this possible?

Need a tux in London

tiamat — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 16:13:27 -0800

I need to find a place to rent a tuxedo this week in London. Sub-questions follow... I've up in the N3 area near Finchley Central (Northern Line), but travel down to Charing Cross M-F so that area is good too. Recommendations further away are welcome, but I'd prefer something close, obviously.

I need it for next Saturday night, when I'll be going up to Cambridge for a Canadian Club dinner. (I'm Canadian, see?)

Sub-Questions
1) Should I expect to be able to pick it up Saturday and return it Sunday, or Saturday-Monday or Friday-Monday?

2) How much should I expect to pay, on average? I don't want them to 'see me coming'.

3) Can I realistically learn how to tie a bow tie in one go, or should I get a clip on?

4) I don't have proper shoes, can I rent those too?

5) What else does one who's never worn one of these things need to know?

6) Can I wear a tux on the train without ruining it/the look of it? Should I plan on having to carry it and change somewhere in Cambridge?

Tuxedo-friendly group dining in Austin, TX

mr.dan — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 16:33:17 -0800

I'm looking for a Tuxedo-friendly restaurant in Austin (preferably in or around Downtown) that can accommodate a group of 8-10 people. I'm looking to spend $60/couple. Thanks!

What did you wear to your wedding (mefi men) ?

zpousman — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 13:54:09 -0800

WeddingFilter: I'm getting married. I'm a 27 year old, of the male persuasion. What did you wear to your wedding? Tux? Suit? Something in between (is there such a thing?) Help?! I'm thinking of maybe doing the "Albert Einstein" (photo here), which would be a 2 or three piece suit, a tux shirt and a regular tie (not an ascot). I want to look classy and unique, but also a bit understated. Do you think I can pull this off? Anybody seen something like this in a photo not from 1910?

More Information: Wedding is evening, in the springtime. Dress is not picked yet, but will be um, white--and kinda modern probably. We're shooting for a feel with a lot more Ray and Charles Eames and a lot less Cinderella. I want to put "semi-formal" on the invites, though this word might not have any meaning anymore (outside of fraternity events)... I don't want guests in tuxes. Suits with no ties would be great.