Tuxedos for the Prom

Tuxedos for the Prom

Tuxedos should be garment-tailored to fit you. Keeping this in mind, find a tailor who is an expert in making tuxedos. Research or ask friends and others whom you consider to have good taste to recommend one. The most economical way to buy a tuxedo, however, is to check out collections of off-the-shelf items at boutiques or department stores. Just make sure that the tuxedo hugs your body well.

Buying tuxedos
Choose a style that will flatter your face and build. Single-breasted and double-breasted suits are the best bets if you want to be safe. For heavier men, a shawl collar tux is very flattering. Other styles include the notch collar and the three-button tux. Always remember that single-breasted suits should be left unbuttoned and should be worn with a cummerbund. On the other hand, double-breasted dinner jackets should be buttoned all the time; take it all off if you find it uncomfortable.

Lightweight fabrics are the best for the jacket, if your prom is to be held indoors. These will help keep you cool when dancing or moving around. Opt for a black or midnight blue color for an elegant look, although white and other colors can also be considered if you have the confidence to wear them. Dinner jackets should have a buttonhole on the lapel. Pockets should either be jetted or with slit openings (double-besom).
Cummerbunds should have the pleats faced up and should match the fabric of the dinner jacket.

Tuxedo trousers should be chosen according to your dinner jacket. Tailcoats go with double-striped trousers, while other types of jackets go well with single-striped trousers. Pleated trousers should be worn with waistcoats and cummerbunds. Use suspenders or braces to keep your trousers in place.

When choosing a tuxedo shirt, make sure that it has either turndown collar or wing collar. The former have soft pleats while the latter have crisp fronts. Ensure that the “bib” section of your shirt does not go past the suspenders.

Never use clip-on bow ties or ties. Tie them yourself. Ask an expert to teach you how. The reason behind this is that the way you carry your tie or bow tie says a lot about your personality. Wearing a clip-on tie will show that you are lazy and pay little attention to detail. On the other hand, a bow tie worn the right way shows that you are willing to work hard to look good.

Buying tuxedo shoes

A pair of slip-ons or loafers are a no-no, and moccasins are a mortal sin. Suede is also discouraged and will not look good with your tuxedo. Your best bet here would be a pair of patent leather oxfords or faux patent shoes.

If you’re using old tuxedo shoes, make sure that they are clean and have been stored properly. To shine them (never polish!) by wiping clean with a clean soft rag with warm water. If you want more shine, use a tiny amount of furniture polish.

Treat shoe scuffs according to their type. A surface scuff (scuffs on top of the shoe glaze) should be rubbed with a clean, soft rag that has a tiny dot of liquid soap. To be sure that the scuff is on the sop or surface of the shoe, hold the shoe at an angle and look at the marking. If it is raised above the rest of the shoe surface, then it is a surface scuff; otherwise, it is a gouge scuff. A gouge-scuff (scuff under the shoe glaze) needs to be removed with a chemical removal which removes the finish of the scuff. I recommend that you have your shoe professionally fixed in a shoe repair shop if this is your problem.