MAIN Home Life Entertaining Tuxedos

Whether it's a prom, a bar mitzvah, a wedding or other formal event - it's time to 'put on the ritz' and party!

Deciding whether to rent or buy your tux and picking a style and color are just the first steps. Should you wear basic black or jazz it up with a bit of color? Which tie is right and should you get ruffles on the shirt or just go classic?

If this is your first formal event, the experts always advise to go understated. Basic black with a few fancy trimmings are usually the safest bet -- not everybody can pull off the "Wedding Singer" look, but you also don't want to show up at a formal gathering looking like the maitre d'!

Tuxedos 101

The main component of formal attire for men is, of course, the tuxedo jacket. These come in a variety of types, usually centering around the collar style and the number of buttons down the front. Modern tuxedo jacket collar styles include either the shawl or the notched collar, and the experts usually advise a one-button jacket for the clean, classic look.

When it comes to shirts, skip the ruffles. Today, the traditional white, flat front - accented by a traditional 'stand up' wing collar - is the way to go. You'll find that instead of buttons, studs are included to button down the front and to secure the cuffs of formal tuxedo shirts.

With formal wear, the bow tie is a must, and you can either learn how to tie a bow tie in the traditional way or (if you normally don't go to formal events), simply opt for a clip-on.

Since belts are never worn with formal wear, the look is completed with a vest or a cumberbund around the waist.

The pants should also feature satin lines down the sides of the pant legs to set them apart from everyday wear.

Finally, a word about shoes. Whether you buy, or rent your shoes at the tuxedo shop there's nothing that brings down a look faster than a scuffed pair of footwear, especially when you're going formal. So make 'em shine!

Around the Web, check out more information and expert guides to choosing, buying, or renting a tuxedo including tips on wedding attire, color and style basics, and related advice on looking your best at any formal event...

More about tuxedoes around the Web:

Men's Formal Wear Guide - From Carolyn Allen's Bridals and Tuxedos - Check out expert tips on what to wear for different occasions, advice for the short or stocky, the tall and thin, along with differences between morning attire, semi-formal and more.

Fitting Tips: The Best Tuxedo Style for You - The online home of Groomsmen Magazine with tips for choosing a tux by body type, plus surf around for more advice on daytime and semi-formal wear.

Wedding Tuxedos & Suits Information - Sharp Dressed Man - If you think women know more about men's clothes than men do, take a tip from Brides.com with a full fact sheet on choosing just the right tuxedo for your body type.

International Formalwear Association : Formal Wear Guide - Featuring a chart of men’s formalwear for weddings and a pictorial guide to formal wear speak.

FAQ Tuxedo 101 - Buying vs. renting, sizing basics, info on coats, vests ties and cumberbunds right down to the pocket squares and cuff links.

Tuxedos 101 - A basic guide from etuxedos.com, with an overview of tuxedo terms, white tie vs. black tie, the most traditional looks, with advice on pants, shoes, plus what to wear at an afternoon formal.

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