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[Updated August 25, 2020]

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and for your safety, we require all visitors to make an appointment.

This allows us to prepare for your visit and allot for time between visitors to sanitize our premises.

To schedule an appointment, visit this page: https://thetuxedoclub.net/pages/schedule-your-visit

There are several ways tuxedos can differ from one another, and so that makes for a lot of choice when browsing for a tuxedo, but it also can be intimidating if you’re not sure what to look for.

The good news is, you only really need to worry about three characteristics to get by, these are the primary ways in which tuxedos can differ:

Tuxedo Color

Tuxedos can come in many colors, but are most commonly worn in black, white or ivory. However, other colors are very popular recently, such as brown, navy and grey.

Color choice is mostly a personal preference, with a few exceptions: if your event specifies a black tie or white tie dress code, you must wear an accordingly-colored tuxedo. Also, there is a light suggestion that lighter colored tuxedos are daytime attire, while darker colors are intended for night time wear – this rule is not as strict as it once was, and may be bent or broken in most cases today.

Tuxedo Lapel Style

Tuxedo lapels are the flaps that fold outward from the middle of your tuxedo jacket, just below the collar. Tuxedos may feature lapels in a few different styles:

Notch Lapels

Notch lapels feature a triangular notch cut from just below the top of each lapel. The notch lapel style is very popular today and appropriate for any formal occasion. Many people feel comfortable wearing notch lapels due to their familiarity, as notch lapels are very common on the modern business suit.

Peak Lapels

Peak Lapels are another common lapel style, they feature an outward/upward pointing triangular peak shape on the outer edge of the lapel. Some people feel they have a more ‘formal’ appearance over notch lapels, but that is purely subjective; a peak-lapel tuxedo will be appropriate for any event.

Shawl Lapels

The fashion of the shawl lapel is rooted in tradition and its flattering features make it perfectly suitable for various formal occasions.  The shawl is widely accepted as the proper dinner jacket and is often a popular choice for events attended by an individual.  The prominent features of the shawl, a round shape collar with a deep neckline, create a picture perfect frame for the presentation of complete formal wear dress.  Whether you are attending the opera, dressing for dinner on a cruise, or are a guest at a Black-Tie affair, we love a shawl lapel jacket complimented with a crisp white wing-tipped shirt, bow-tie, studs and cufflinks.

Single vs Double Breasted Tuxedos

A single breasted jacket has a single column of buttons down the center of the jacket when closed (buttoned). Double breasted jackets feature two columns of buttons on the front jacket closure. It’s best demonstrated with a picture, so we invite you to take a look in how single and double-breasted tuxedo jackets may differ… 

Tuxedos come in many fabric options today and at National Tuxedo Rentals we cover all of them.  Tropical Worsted Wool, Super 100's, Super 120's, Super 130's, Super 150's Wool and Wool/Synthetic, as well as microfiber an polyester.  The Super 100-150's represents the thread count which in turn results in a softer lighter feeling fabric. 

In a very Traditional Wedding, it is appropriate for all members of the Wedding Party to be identical in their attire. However many couples choose a slightly less Traditional approach and distinguish the Groom from the Groomsmen.  Please read our article.

Absolutely! With either a Contemporary or Traditional Wedding it is very important that the shoes be the same. Patent leather shoes are the best choice and are available for purchase or rental for a nominal fee. 

The ring bearer should be identical to the groom.  This is the most popular and proper choice. The ring bearer is to look like a miniature groom, especially if the flower girl is dressed similar to the bride. It still comes down to a personal decision though as some couples are dressing the ring bearer to match the groomsmen.

That’s totally up to you! Some people view cummerbunds as ‘more formal’ than a tuxedo vest, but that is not a law, just a preconception. The reality is that most people wear tuxedo vests, as they are appropriate for most formal occasions including weddings and prom.

Whichever you like the look of better, that’s what you should go with.

In most cases, this is another personal choice that comes down to whichever look you prefer. However, there are a few exceptions:

If you’re wearing a cummerbund: you must wear a bowtie, it’s the only way the cummerbund works.

If your dress code specifies bow ties only: abide the dress code, you never want to deviate – you’ll stand out in the wrong way.

Tuxedo shirts differ in a few simple, but important ways. Familiarizing yourself with these differences will help you make the right decision in your formal shirt…

Pleated vs Non Pleated Tuxedo Shirts

Tuxedo shirts often have ‘pleats’ on the front of the shirt on each side of the button closure, running vertically from the shoulders down to the waist. Other shirts come non-pleated, or ‘plain front’ – which is just as it sounds – plain, as in no pleats. It’s entirely a personal preference – however, if you’re wearing a cummerbund, we recommend pleated shirts as the pleats lend a wonderful aesthetic to your look where the pleats disappear behind the cummerbund.

But all in all – whichever look you like best, that’s the look for you.

Tuxedo Shirt Collar Types

Wingtip Collars are minimal, consisting merely of two outward-pointing triangles, which tend to lend a perfect frame to a bowtie. We recommend against wearing a long tie with a wingtip collar shirt, always wear a bowtie.

Laydown Collars are the ‘regular’ style collar you would find on a common dress shirt. They work great with long ties. They are compatible with bowties, but a wingtip collar would really enhance the bowtie look, so we recommend that – but you are free to bend or break this rule.

Mandarin Collars are a unique style of collar that typically worn with a button cover, which is a jewelry accessory that is literally a cover for the collar button. Mandarin collars are minimal, and do not feature any protruding points as found in the above two collar styles.

Formal Shirt Color Choices

Tuxedo shirts can come in any color, and the decision to wear a color is entirely up to you. The classic choice is of course white with a black tux, however it’s not uncommon to substitute a black shirt for a different take on the black tux look.

If you’re wearing a tuxedo that is not black, many prefer to match the color of their tux. In cases where a matching color is not available, it is safe to go with white. In fact, it’s safe to go with any color as long as you think it looks good.

When in doubt, remember: white is classic, but anything is fair game.