DOs and DON'Ts of Wearing a Tuxedo



A well fitting tuxedo creates a classic look



We want you to look your best in your tuxedo!  Here are some tips to keep you on track.

DOs 

• Wear formal shoes - preferably black lace-up patent leather oxfords, with the emphasis on the patent leather
• Wear suspenders if you want to - tuxedo pants don't have belts, so there's no reason not to
• Wear a white pocket handkerchief to bring together the look
• Make sure your tuxedo is fitted correctly - about a half inch of your shirt cuff should extend past the end of the coat jacket when your arms are down
• Wear black formal socks
• Wear special cufflinks to set yourself apart
• Remember to check the pockets of your tux rental before returning to the store- you don't want to forget your camera or anything else

DON'Ts

• Don't use the plastic buttons of the tuxedo shirt if it has them - use studs instead - they come with the tux rental - but to make it easy, put the studs in the shirt before you put your shirt on - that way, you can just close the shirt up as if you were using buttons 

• Don't wear cufflinks backwards - the cufflinks should be facing up

• Don't button the bottom button of a 2 or 3 button tuxedo

• Don't wear a black shirt with a tuxedo unless it's a look that you're specifically going for (the look, by the way, unless you're a rock star, is that of someone that does not know how to dress properly or refuses to do so)
• Don't wear brown or white socks with a black tuxedo (Just because MJ did it doesn't mean that you can)



JUST DON'T!!

• Don't take off your bowtie and leave it hanging around your neck (like you're trying to look like Frank Sinatra) if you're wearing a pre-tied bowtie.  If you really want to rock the look later in the night, you can bring along a regular bowtie and switch it out
• Don't wear a cummerbund with the pleats facing down