Tuxedo Etiquette
When Griswold Lorillard made his entrance into the inaugural Tuxedo Park, New York, Autumn Ball in 1886, the world of men’s formal wear changed forever. Lorillard had abandoned the club’s usual evening dress of white tie and tails, arriving in a short scarlet dinner jacket inspired by one worn by the Prince of Wales.
Lorillard’s apparel became a sensation among the trend-setting members of the Tuxedo Club, who kept their personal tailors busy with orders and in a short time, the “tuxedo” had become the accepted upper crust garb for all but the most formal occasions.
But high society loves its little codes of conduct, and did not take long to establish rules for tuxedo etiquette. Tuxedo etiquette has taken the events at which a tuxedo is called for, and categorized them according to the degree of their formality, time of year, and even time of day. All those factors are used to determine which kind of tuxedo with which accessories is appropriate.
Traditional tuxedo etiquette might seem a bit overblown to those of us not born to the purple, but it’s out there, and will give you the confidence that your tux is the right one for the occasion.
If your invitation says “White Tie,” leave the tuxedo in mothballs and put on the Ritz. You’ll need a black tailcoat, white vest, white shirt, and of course, white tie; for the absolutely top-drawer affair you may be asked to wear gloves and a top hat, and carry a cane. Just think Fred Astaire in “Blue Skies.”
If you are invited to a “Black Tie” event, traditional tuxedo etiquette requires that you arrive in a black or midnight blue tuxedo jacket with a white shirt, vest or cummerbund, black bow or necktie, black socks, and plain leather black shoes. During warm weather, or in the tropics, a white dinner jacket can substitute for the black tuxedo jacket.
Tuxedo etiquette, like the tuxedo itself, has evolved to meet the changing tastes of the fashion world, and while the white tie and the traditional black tuxedo remain the attire of choice for the most formal affairs, contemporary tuxedo etiquette has its place.
Contemporary tuxedos are those which allow a little more leeway in choosing the colors of the tuxedo accessories. Contemporary tuxedo etiquette says that a colored or patterned tuxedo vest and tie is perfectly acceptable, as long as it coordinates with what your date, or if it’s a wedding, the bridesmaids, are wearing.
If you’re the one getting married, and not sure what your options for correct tuxedo etiquette are, do yourself a big favor and talk to a wedding consultant at a formalwear shop. You’ll have many options from which to choose, depending on the formality and time of day of your wedding ceremony. Having some expert assistance is the easiest way to make sure you get it right!
Tags: Tuxedos