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Many high school seniors have never
worn a tuxedo, so picking one out for prom night
can be intimidating. This article gives suggestions
on where to go and what to look for when picking
out a tux
You may be most comfortable
in jeans and a t-shirt, but on prom night, you’re
going to have to dress in formal attire. Girls
have the luxury (or curse, depending on how
you look at it) of picking out their own style
of gown in the color of their choice, but guys
have significantly fewer options. Traditionally,
prom attire for guys means one thing: a tuxedo.
If you’ve never worn one, picking one
out for your big night can be a little intimidating.
But, with a little know-how and some of the
confidence you showed when you asked your date
to go with you, you’ll soon have the best
tuxedo for prom night.
For starters, you’ll need to get fitted
by someone who knows how a tuxedo should properly
fit. This usually means a tailor, a salesperson
in a menswear store or men’s department
of a department store, or an experienced employee
in a tuxedo rental shop. They’ll take
your measurements with a tape measure first,
and then give you pants and jackets to try on.
Generally, a tuxedo should be fitted but comfortable.
Baggy pants and loose jackets might be stylish
and acceptable for everyday wear, but a tuxedo
should fit your body.
Many prom-goers rent tuxedos. Since a tuxedo
isn’t something you wear very often, and
since you may still be growing, investing several
hundred dollars in something you’re going
to wear only one or two times doesn’t
really make a lot of sense. Renting a quality
tuxedo will cost roughly eighty to one hundred
dollars plus a deposit, usually around twenty
bucks, and you won’t have to worry if
it will be too tight the next time you want
to wear it. Another upside to renting a tux
is that you don’t have to clean it before
you return it. And, many rental shops will sell
you cleaning insurance for a very small fee,
which means even if you spill spaghetti sauce
all over yourself while you’re wearing
the rented tux, you won’t have to pay
extra to have it cleaned.
Once you’ve been measured, there’s
the style of your tuxedo to consider. Although
tuxedos may not look all that different from
one to the next, there are some variations.
Mostly, you’ll want to think about what
kind of jacket you’ll want. A traditional
tuxedo jacket fits like a suit jacket or sport
coat, and this is what most prom-goers choose.
If you want to be different and even more formal,
you can choose a longer cut-away jacket, or
even tails. There are also different styles
of lapel, from the classic notch lapel to the
wider peak lapel to the smooth, tapered shawl
lapel. Try on different styles to figure out
which one you like the best.
Black is the traditional color for tuxedoes,
and many men feel most comfortable with black.
It’s a flattering color on almost everyone,
it creates a smooth body line to make you look
slim and fit, and if you spill a little something
on it, it’s practically invisible. But,
if you’re a more flashy dresser or want
to stand out a bit on prom night, tuxedoes do
come in other colors. White is usually worn
for daytime formal events, but you may want
to ask the salesperson or store employee for
other color suggestions.
Check out your shirt options as well. White
is by far the most popular color for a tuxedo
shirt. While most shirts have pleats down the
front for a more formal look, you can get tuxedo
shirts without the pleats. This yields a clean
look and may be more comfortable on a hot evening.
Non-black tuxedoes can look good with a pale-colored
shirt. And for an unforgettable ‘70s look,
some tuxedo rental shops might even carry ruffled
shirts.
Once you’ve got your tuxedo and shirt
picked out, it’s time to consider your
tie and cummerbund options. The cummerbund fits
over the waist of the pants and basically comes
in one style. But there are several choices
in ties, with the two basic styles being bow
and straight. A bowtie is most traditional,
while a straight tie is a bit more contemporary.
It also creates a longer line and may be more
flattering for larger men. Black is the most
common color for ties and cummerbunds, but there
are numerous colors and patterns available.
You might even consider matching the color of
your tie and cummerbund to your date’s
dress. To do this, ask her for a swatch of fabric
before you order your tuxedo.
Many prom-goers choose to have a vest with
their tuxedo. While it is optional, a vest does
give you a classic, sophisticated look. And,
if you’re looking to add a splash of color
to a black tuxedo, a vest is a good way to do
it.
Woody Allen may have made the suit and sneakers
look acceptable, but when it comes to getting
dressed in formal wear, black dress shoes are
the way to go. Many tuxedo rental places will
also rent you a pair of shiny black dress shoes,
but if you prefer to have your own, simple is
best. You may be able to get away with shoes
that are a little more adventurous, like snakeskin
or a classic pair of boots, but when in doubt,
go with a plain black lace-up. Don’t forget
to pick up a pair or two of black dress socks.
There are a few accessories that go with a
tuxedo, and you’ll probably want to have
at least a few. Almost all tuxedo shirts have
French cuffs, which means you’ll need
cuff links to keep them closed. Shirt studs
will not only keep your shirt closed, they’ll
give you a more polished look, especially if
you’re wearing a bowtie and the front
of your shirt isn’t covered. Top hats
and even canes can be fashionable with a tuxedo,
especially if you have the whimsical personality
to match the look.
When renting or purchasing a tuxedo, it’s
very important to give yourself enough time
to do it right. Don’t wait until the last
minute to find formal wear. Usually, a month
in advance is enough time. That way, you can
get your measurements taken professionally,
try different styles on to find which one you
like best, and get any necessary alterations
taken care of. It will also give the store time
to order the tux in your size if they don’t
have it in stock. Also be sure to ask any questions
you have about the tuxedo at this time; it’s
harder to make changes to your order a day before
the event.
Almost anyone may look good in a tuxedo, but
your attitude has to match for you to really
be able to pull off the formal look. Remember:
these are gentlemen’s clothes. Acting
in a polite and confident manner will make your
tuxedo seem like the proper attire for you,
rather than a rented suit.
After the big night, you’ll need to do
a few things with regard to your tuxedo. If
you rented it, you’ll want to gather up
all of the pieces and return it to the rental
store. This includes shoes and any accessories
you may have chosen. Returning your tuxedo late
can result in forfeiture of your deposit money.
If you own your tuxedo, take it to the dry cleaners
to be washed, pressed, and properly hung on
hangers so it’s ready the next time you
need formalwear.
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