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When to Wear a Tuxedo

Fashions come and go with startling rapidity, but in the world of formal dressing, the rules regarding when to wear a tuxedo have changed only a little through the years.

A tuxedo is classic dressing that makes most any man look good or a good looking man look better. A tuxedo also adds a note of solemnity and class to nearly every occasion. That is why it is important to know when to wear a tuxedo.

With few exceptions, a man wearing a tuxedo should not be seen venturing out before six o'clock in the evening. Some of the occasions a man is expected to dress formally include:

When an invitation to a particular function states that the man should dress in a "formal" or "black tie" manner. Two other phrases used may include "black tie invited" or "black tie optional". Wear black tie anyway. A man doesn't want to stand out like a casual sore thumb in a room full of well-dressed people.

When the man attends the premiere of a ballet, symphony, or an opera; for any other artistic openings, the man should take his cue from the invitation, which should suggest the mode of dress.

When to wear a tuxedo also includes a ball or formal dance, or a formal reception, with or without dinner.

When dining at a formal restaurant, a man should take his dressing cue from the maitre d' and/or the waiters. If the help are wearing tuxedos, so should the diners.

Wearing a tuxedo before six o'clock is frowned upon unless the gentleman is on his way to the affair he will be attending. Other tuxedo trespasses frowned upon includes top hats, gloves, loud cummerbunds, and clip-on ties.

However, a wedding at any time of the day is beginning to require tuxedos for the groom, best man, and groomsmen. A new development is all the men wearing the same style of tuxedos. So when you still need to buy one, it's important to know what you should look for in a tuxedo. If the "best man" is a woman, a sister or close friend, she will wear a tuxedo as well.

Any boys in the bridal party, from ring bearer or best man (usually a son of the groom from a previous marriage) should be wearing a tuxedo as well, say the current makers of manners.

Depending on the family's religion and ethnicity, boy babies, toddlers, and bigger boys may be called upon to wear a tuxedo. In this case, when to wear a tuxedo will be baptisms, christenings, and first communions. Many families go all out and dress the boy in white ties and tails. For first communions, a less flashy white tuxedo will do.

Though there have been a few changes in the rules of when to wear a tuxedo, it doesn't change the fact that classic and classy dressing makes the occasion that much more special (note from the Fab Shoe Blog: don't forget classy footwear!). Every man can't be James Bond or someone else who looks fabulous in a tuxedo, but a man can pretend when he is fitted out in a well-fitting, elegant tuxedo.