Jackets

Single Breasted - 1, 2 or 3 Buttons on the front are more common and will show more Vest if worn unbottoned.

Double Breasted - Usually 4 to 8 Buttons on front, the Jacket overlaps itself on the front when buttoned. A Vest is difficult to see with this style.

Tails or Full Dress - Tails are short in the front and long in the back, considered Ultra Formal when worn with White Vest and Bowtie.

Cutaway - Also know as a Morning Suit, cuts away from the front and tapers towards the back of the Jacket. Usually in a Dark Gray or Black color and worn with Striped Trousers a Vest and Ascot.

Waistcoat - As the name implies is cut at the waist. In England a Vest is also known as a waistcoat.

Jacket Lapels - Most are Satin or Velvet, on Cutaways and Suit Jackets the same Jacket fabric is used on Lapels.

Notch - The Lapel is notched out between the top collar and lapel.

Peak - The Lapel points upward towards the Shoulder.

Shawl - The Lapel is rounded all the way around.

Jacket Vents and Besom

Non Vented - Meaning no split in the back or sides of Jacket.

Single Vented - A single split in the center and back of the Jacket.

Double or Side Vented - Vents are on each side of the Jacket.

Besom - Is the detailing of the Pocket area on the Jacket usually a thin stripe of fabric or a flap over the pocket.

Jacket Collar - The top of the Jacket that folds over itself behnd the Neck, it is sometimes the same fabric or satin.

Gorge - Is the part where the fabric on the top collar meets the lapel fabric, depending on the Jacket style ths can be lower or higher on the lapel.

Trousers

Pleated - Pleated Pants are either a single or a double pleat in the front, they offer a roomier fit in the rear and thighs.

Flat Front - Or Non Pleated Pants have a smooth front and have a tighter fit or more trimming look.

Side Stripe - Tuxedo Pants have a side stripe on the outside of each leg. It is usually about 3/4" wide and made of satin or velvet. The newer Flat Front Pants have a smaller bead on the outside of the Leg. Suits and Pinstriped Trousers do not have a stripe on the Trouser.

Shirts

Pleated - Tuxedo shirts are traditionally pleated in the front either 1/8" Pintuck, or from 1/4" to 1" pleats are common.

Wingtip - 2 tabs on the front collar that foldover. Usually worn with a banded bowtie that wraps around the collar of the shirt. A necktie may also be worn with this style of shirt.

Laydown - The Collar folds over and downward on the shirt. A Clip on or Banded Bowtie, Ascot or Necktie can all be worn with this style of shirt.

Mandarin - The collar is a band that goes all the way around the neck and does not have a wing or fold over. A buttoncover is worn instead of a tie with this type of shirt.

Colors - Tuxedo Shirts come in White, Ivory and Black, other colors are trendy along with ruffles and stripes.

Microfiber - This has been popular for some time as they have a better feel and comfort and do not have pleats on the front of the shirt.

Studs and Cufflinks - Studs usually 4 are worn on the front of the shirt instead of using the buttons, they add to the overall look. Cufflinks are worn at the shirt cuff and give the appearance of the French Cuff look.

Vests and Cummerbunds

Fullback Vest - Is a full all around the body fabric vest, it has a design on the front and usually satin in the rear. Fullback vests have an adjustable strap and buckle to sinch in above the waist for a more fitted look and feel. If You remove Your Jacket, a fullback vest is a dressier look than a Backless version or a Cummerbund.

Backless Vest - Is adjustable and can be raised or lowered to adjust to the wearers build and are also adjustable at the waist. These vests are most often worn with a Tailcoat. The White Pique Backless Vest and Bowtie is most often worn with a Tailcoat it has a texture simular to a Waffle.
High Cut, Low Cut - High Cut Vests have a higher stance and more buttons sometimes almost covering the shirt front. Low Cut Vests have a lower cut and usually 3 buttons on front.

The Customers build will determine whether they can wear a Fullback Vest or not.
Cummerbunds - A Sash with Pleats on the front that are worn upward at the waistline and a strap that wraps around the waist. The Cummerbund is Traditional in nature but is bothersome for many as they move around at the waist.

Bowties, Neckties, Ascots and Buttoncovers
These are all adornments worn on the Shirt as an Accessory to add to the formal look.

Bowties - Banded are the most common, they are pretied and have a band that wraps around the collar and is adjustable. Clip on Bowties are worn with the Laydown collar Shirt and clips over the center top button.

Tie to Tie - Or a self Tie is the styleof bowtie that You have to tie, not pretied.

Necktie - Or a Windsor Band is usually pretied and adjustable and wraps around the collar and is almost always worn with a vest when wearing a Tux.

Ascot - Usually worn with a Cutaway and Vest are folded fabric with a square end. some ascots will have a Pin or Pearl in the center for adornment.
Buttoncovers - A hinged and Jeweled Accessory instead of a Tie worn on the top collar of the shirt.

Formal Footwear

Patent - A high gloss finish in Leather or Vinyl and come in Lace up and Slip on which can have a plain or patterened finish. If Your Renting a Tuxedo You might as well rent the shoes for the Total Formal Look.

You can wear Your own dress shoes and many Customers do, however remember they will show up in photographs.

Hats, Canes, Gloves and more

Tophat - May be worn with a Tailcoat or Cutaway it should fit around the head snugly and is flat on top with a brim.

Derby - Has a rounded top with a brim.

Zoot - It has a pleated top and wider brim.

Canes - Usually made of Wood the Tux Cane is Black with White Caps on each end of the Cane.

Gloves - White are the Formal Look, many wear these with a Tailcoat.

Socks - They make the Man! formal socks are thinner and usually Black, or White. Some Customers will wear bright colored socks who want to add some flash to their overall look. It's just another way of Personalizing Your look, they also make a great Groomsman Gift.

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