WWTGD?*

September 1, 2010 7:24 AM

I need you to show me examples of excellent tuxedos.

YAY!: Two weeks ago, I was invited to join the Houston Symphony Chorus as well as a semi-professional chamber choir conducted by the HSC director.

BOO!: I am still wearing the same tuxedo I wore to state solo/ensemble competition in high school a decade ago.

I'm using this very exciting news to justify buying myself a new tuxedo - but I'm not sure what to get. As you might imagine, I need this to be a fairly traditional tuxedo. It needs to be concert appropriate, but it need not be stodgy.

I'd like specific "look at this cat tuxedo" examples, but please also feel free to send along specific suggestions for how to buy a great tuxedo.

*What Would Tim Gunn Do?

posted by greekphilosophy to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (8 answers total)

The first thing I'd do is Google for images of Neil Patrick Harris at any awards show ever. He's always impeccably turned out.

See?
posted by fiercecupcake at 7:44 AM on September 1, 2010 [3 favorites]

I know it would be steep - like thousands steep - but if you can find something that has the same or similar cut to the Tom Ford tuxedos, wow.

Gunn would probably say that the fit and fabric are right but he would like to see a simpler lapel.
posted by Tchad at 7:47 AM on September 1, 2010

You can't go wrong with an Armani Collezioni Classic tuxedo! It's pricey, but it's high-quality, will last forever, etc.

BTW -- if you find a tuxedo you like, but think to be too expensive, consider finding a tailor in your area to make a custom one based on the design.
posted by ericb at 7:48 AM on September 1, 2010

What Would Tim Gunn Do?

Tim Gunn's Favorite Things

My Tuxedo
"What man doesn't look great in a tux? I've had my Ralph Lauren tuxedo for 15 years. When I wear it, I feel like I'm stepping onto a suave 1930s film set where all are living New York's high life, like in The Thin Man."

Classic Peak Lapel Tuxedo, Ralph Lauren, $1,495.

posted by ericb at 7:52 AM on September 1, 2010

But he's wearing a shawl lapel tux in that photo. Huh, that thin shawl lapel looks very nice.
posted by mkb at 7:55 AM on September 1, 2010

MetaFilter's own Jesse Thorn tells you everything you need to know about black tie. And supplies a couple recent examples of what it looks like in practice.
posted by neroli at 8:30 AM on September 1, 2010 [1 favorite]

Note that one piece of Jesse Thorn's advice ("long tie in your black tie ensemble? Blech.") was directly contravened by Neil Patrick Harris at the Emmys this week!

Since you're presumably googling pictures of men in tuxes now, it might be nice to compare and contrast Jon Hamm-as-Jon Hamm with Jon Hamm-as-Don Draper and see which style(s) you prefer.
posted by AkzidenzGrotesk at 9:09 AM on September 1, 2010

If you are in Houston and you have the cash ($1,000+) to purchase an awesome tux, go to the Ralph Lauren store in the Galleria and ask for Mary Jo. She is incredible and will guide you through all of their options and then ensure that their tailors fit the tux perfectly for you. They will literally take the tux apart and then re-engineer it to fit you perfectly.

Congrats on joining the Houston Symphony Chorus!
posted by zamdaba at 11:41 AM on September 1, 2010