Choosing the Right Tuxedo Pt. III

Just a reminder: It's guy week here at Smart Wedding Planning, and one of the few responsibilities that most grooms-to-be have to shoulder is choosing a tux. In fact, in some cases, that's all the future groom has to do before the wedding! Read on to learn more about choosing a tuxedo -- and if you're the bride-to-be, pass this post on to your husband-to-be!

Things to Think About
Even if you're usually a jeans and t-shirts kind of dude, you're probably going to think about fashion at some point before your wedding day. In fact, you may find that you're way more style conscious than you've ever been before because you are so desperate to look your best! We've put together a primer for those guys who know nothing about menswear or formalwear, so you don't end up knocked on your rear when you get to the tux shop.

The basic tuxedo -- and the one favored by most guys because it works on a variety of body types -- is the three-button tux. Classic black is always in style, so if you want to wear white or brown...or, goodness forbid, blue...check with your intended before reserving or buying anything. No matter what you look like, you'll be seen as crisp, cool, and classy in a great tux or suit.

When it comes to shirts, you can't beat micro-fiber. Even though these shirts are man-made, they feel as light and as silky as more expensive natural fabrics. Stay away from polyester, even if it's cheap, because it will be scratchy and trap air, leading to sweaty pits. Micro-fiber is revolutionary when you compare it to the synthetic fibers of days gone by.

Oh, and another thing: White is still best. Failing that, opt for ivory. Really, it depends on what kind of wedding gown the bride is wearing -- if she's in white, go for white, and if she's in any kind of off-white gown, choose an ivory shirt. The one exception to this rule is colored shirts that match the bridesmaids' dresses. Some couples outfit the groom and the groomsmen in shirts that are in keeping with the wedding color scheme.

Finally, when it comes to accessories, chuck the cummerbund. Those are for prom kings and waiters. Vests are hot right now, though we'd suggest that you shy away from those featuring cartoon characters or sports logos unless your bride-to-be is as much of a fan as you are. If you must wear a colored vest and tie set, think silver, mocha, brown, or champagne. You should match the bridesmaids only if the color of their gowns is somewhat sedate.


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Choosing the Right Tuxedo Pt. II

It's guy week here at Smart Wedding Planning, and one of the few responsibilities that most grooms-to-be have to shoulder is choosing a tux. In fact, in some cases, that's all the future groom has to do before the wedding! Read on to learn more about choosing a tuxedo -- and if you're the bride-to-be, pass this post on to your husband-to-be!

Tuxedos and Body Type
Guys sure have it easy, right? Wrong -- when it comes to buying (or renting) formal clothes, they have as much to think about as the ladies. You can't just throw on any old tuxedo and think it's going to make you look like James Bond, even if it does have a shawl lapel. Different tuxedos compliment different body types, which means that you should get a handle on your "type" before you show up at the menswear shop. Choosing your tuxedo is all about looking your best. After all, your bride is going to look beautiful...shouldn't you look just as handsome?

If you're short and slender:

• Look for single-breasted jackets with long lines, a low button stance (it elongates the body) and wide peak lapels.
• Other stylish options include wearing a double-breasted tuxedo jacket or subtly patterned vest and tie.
• Selecting the right pant style is key, too. Reverse double-pleated pant leg should always break slightly on top of the shoe and angle a bit downward in the back.

If you're short and stocky:

• You may look best in tuxedo jackets with slim shawl collars.
• The top button should fall at the small of the waist to give the torso a leaner look.
• Choose jackets with a natural shoulder line and avoid the more broad European styles.
• When it comes to pants, reverse double-pleated trousers with pleats extending toward the pockets tend to offer the best comfort and style. Pants should extend as low as possible on the foot, angled slightly in the back to elongate the leg. Be sure to avoid too much of a break on the foot, otherwise the pant leg will look sloppy.

If you're tall and husky:

• You may look best in shawl collar tuxedos.
• Jacket length is especially important. To determine a good fit, groom should place his arms at his sides and relax hands and fingers. His fingertips should touch the bottom of the jacket and his shirt cuffs should extend at least half an inch beyond the jacket sleeve.
• The construction of the jacket may need to be a bit loose to provide ease of movement.
• Also, grooms with thick necks and wide faces should avoid ties that are too narrow and wing tip collars that look constrictive. Instead, opt for lay-down collars and fuller bow ties.
• And the pant leg should have a slightly wider silhouette to accommodate muscular thighs.

If you're tall and slim:

• You will look well in just about every tuxedo style. An especially good choice is a double-breasted tuxedo with slightly broad shoulders and a suppressed waist.
• Jacket buttons closed up high on the waistline look especially good, and a high shoulder line is better than a natural one.
• Garments should be full, while still following the lines of the body, and trousers should also have a higher-rise with more of a break in the pant.
• This figure type can easily wear vests and ties in colors and patterns.

Click to learn more about tuxedo styles

Choosing the Right Tuxedo Pt. I

It's guy week here at Smart Wedding Planning, and one of the few responsibilities that most grooms-to-be have to shoulder is choosing a tux. In fact, in some cases, that's all the future groom has to do before the wedding! Read on to learn more about choosing a tuxedo -- and if you're the bride-to-be, pass this post on to your husband-to-be!

Tuxedo Basics
The world of tuxedos looks way more straightforward than the world of wedding gowns until you study it more closely. There are as many types of tuxedos out there as their are styles of wedding dresses, and while they don't necessarily vary quite as much, they all have their different characteristics. Here are some basics:

• Full Dress Tailcoat is also referred to as White Tie. Perfect for an ultra-formal evening wedding.
• The stroller is often worn by attendants, while the groom wears a Cutaway. These are good for an ultra-formal morning wedding.
• The Notch Lapel Tuxedo is a contemporary option appropriate for a formal wedding.
• The Peak Lapel Tuxedo is a more traditional choice than the Notch-lapel, appropriate at any time of the day or evening.
• There are also shawl lapels (think James Bond) and diamond lapels, which look like shawl lapels that come to a gentle point above the breastbone.

Choosing Menswear
What you decide to wear on your wedding day will depend on the time of day, the formality level of your nuptials, and the season. For a formal daytime wedding, think about a classic stroller coat with gray striped trousers, an ascot, and a white boutonnière. If yours is a formal evening wedding, switch that up to a classic black tux with a white wing or spread collar. Is formal not formal enough? For ultra-formal daytime weddings, opt for the classic gray cutaway coat with gray striped trousers, a gray vest, and no pocket square. In the evening, choose black full dress tails with a pique wing collar and a white bow tie.

Dashing!


Click to learn more about choosing a tuxedo