Tuxedo Tuesday: Going to Your Fitting

So now that the tuxedos are all picked out, you have to get measured, whether you’re the groom, a groomsman, father, or even a ring bearer.

You usually need to be fitted for your tux a month before the wedding (depending on the store), however I recommend going earlier if possible. Once the groom has his tux booked, you can go anytime after that and they will keep your order in their files, but the earlier you go, it gives them more time to order in your size if they don’t have it. I recommend 6-8 weeks before the wedding.

Photo via: eHow.com

Roughly know your measurements before going in. This way you can double check that they aren’t way off with your measurements. (Check back next Tuesday to see my guide on tux measurements). You never know when you’ll get the assistant who has only been there a week and ends up measuring your neck as a 18 (XXL) when you wear a 16 (XL). The common measurements they’ll take are: neck, sleeve length, waist, outseam, and sometimes inseam.

Don’t worry about knowing your jacket size, as you should be able to try one on there for fit. And if they don’t offer, ask!

Photo via: Joe Elario Photography

Wear/take dress socks with you for your fitting. You will want to try on the shoes if possible. It’s better to try them on at the fitting than tell them you’re a 9 and wish you had 9 ½’s when you’re walking down the aisle with your toes bunched up in your shoe.

And most of all, you want to be comfortable! Don’t ask them to give you 38 waist pants when they measured you as a 40 with the hopes of shedding a few pounds. If you do loose weight, just go in and get remeasured. Same goes if you gain a bit of weight. No one will know your size and you’re the one who has to sit through a ceremony, and three course dinner, and then dance the night away on the dance floor.

Choosing the Tuxedo

Unlike a bride, you don’t have to know what you are looking for before you go into the tuxedo store. Often times, seeing the different options will give you a good idea of what you like and don’t like.

The first thing you are going to want to do is take a look around the store and see what you like. What shape lapel do you like? Vest or cummerbund? Long tie or bow tie?

Notch Tuxedo (left) vs Peak Tuxedo (right)
(Photography via: David’s Formal Wear; The Tuxedo Store)

Once you have decided on the general look, decide on the jacket you like. The lapels and number of buttons are the main difference. The more buttons, the less vest you will see. Also, remember to ask about prices while you pick out the tuxedo because two tuxes may be very similar but priced differently because of designer name.

Once you have decided on the tuxedo, you’ll want to think of shirt style. Typically, the tux shirt is a white slightly ruffled shirt. Now before you say, “wooah, hold the ruffles!” they are very subtle, more like pleats and really do make it look like a tux rather than a suit. Now if you don’t want the ruffles, they often have a plain shirt you can opt for. Also, if the bride is wearing ivory or you have ivory tuxedos, you might want to go with an ivory shirt.

Long Tie vs Bow Tie
(Photography by me)

Then you have to move on to the vest. Usually the groom wears a neutral colored vest like black, white, ivory, or silver. Then the groomsmen wear a different color that compliments the bridesmaid dresses. You can match it or you just choose a neutral complimenting color. Finally you have to decide what the fathers will wear. Often they wear the same vest as the groomsmen, or a black vest.

The only other decision to make is shoes, rent or not. Tuxedo shoes are typically shiny patent leather shoes which you probably don’t own, but that doesn’t mean you have to rent them. If a uniform look is important, rent them, if not save your groomsmen some money and let them wear the black dress shoes they already have. They’ll be more comfortable too!

Now there are many different variations of this process, depending on the style you choose; this is the typical process of selecting a tuxedo or suit from a tuxedo store.

Tuxedo Tuesdays: Exploring the Options

Wedding gowns, veils, rings, venues, all get discussed from every angle, but often times the grooms attire gets forgotten. So I am going to go step by step through the entire process for the groom starting with all of the different options.

Tops and Tails

Photo via: The Knot

Top and tails is the most formal wedding attire. It consists of a black tuxedo with tails, bow ties or ascots, cummerbund, and top hat. This style is less common today, however is still seen at some very formal black-tie weddings.

Tuxedo

Photo via: Huffington Post

The tuxedo is the traditional wedding attire. It consists of a black coat and pants, ruffled shirt, and cummerbund or vest. While it most commonly comes in black, some styles can also come in white or ivory. Tuxedos differ in the material (some have stripes, higher thread count, etc) and lapels (or collars). There are many different ways to customize your tux look which makes it the most popular choice.

Suit

Photo via: Elizabeth Anne Designs

Another option is the suit. This style is very similar to the tuxedo. It differs in the type of material used to make it. Often the suit is of a lighter fabric than the tux, making it a popular choice for summer and destination weddings. Also, the suit comes in many more colors than the tux: black, white, brown, tan, and grey. Also, when going with a suit, some people choose to forgo the vest.

Suspenders

Photo via: Wedding Chicks

Suspender style has become increasingly popular recently. This is a much more informal look as it involves suit pants and suspenders. If you choose to go for this look, I suggest buying suit pants (like from Macy’s) rather than renting them from a Tuxedo store as it will probably be cheaper that way and you can wear them again.

Beach

Photo via: Jonathan Ivy

And there is beach style. This often consists of lightweight suit pants and a breezy shirt. It’s a great look for beach weddings as it is nice and cool. This is also something that you should shop for at a department store instead of a tuxedo store.

Finally, while it is not another style per say, it is an option, you must decide whether you will purchase or buy. If you are going with something that you would get at a tuxedo store, I suggest you rent. There are places that make custom tuxedos, but honestly, will you wear it again? I doubt it. However, if you are going with a suit and you think you will wear it again, buy it! You can even buy them from tuxedo rental places and they aren’t nearly as expensive as tuxedos! For the casual styles, buy it! I doubt you’ll find it in a tux store anyway.