The Elegance of a Man in Tuxedos

Everyone will ungrudgingly agree that a man in tuxedo looks elegant and will be conspicuous in any social or business gathering. Another big advantage is tuxedo is quite versatile and can be worn for a day event or a night function.

When deciding to buy a tuxedo, you must remember that suit style keeps regularly changing according to fashion trends. Tuxedo suit for men must be carefully selected according to his physical frame as any ill-fitting suit can make a person look clownish.

Colorful Tuxedos:

There are a variety of colorful tuxedos available in the market and the best way to purchase the right tuxedo is through online shopping. You will come across plenty of designer tuxedos. When asked to shop, most women favor buying a colorful tuxedo suit for their men. Many women are guided by what the celebrities wear and then pick a style that they think will look elegant on their when searching online.

If you are patient enough, you can play around with different styles, textures and patterns on the computer monitor and in fact, you can even craft a tuxedo to suit your individual taste and style. The colorful tuxedos are invariably designer tuxedos and they look truly fabulous. The colorful tuxedos are versatile and can be worn on all formal as also semi-formal occasions.

Style Choices:

Like regular suits, double-breasted style tuxedo look elegant on men who are slim, while single button style tuxedo are better suited for men who are somewhat stout. The shawl collar tuxedo is meant for men who are heavily-built.

Tuxedo Details:

Tuxedos are generally in black color or dark gray or a white dinner jacket accompanied by black trousers. The chief difference between a regular suit and a tuxedo is that the tuxedo comes with a satin lapel and a matching satin stripe alongside the outside of trousers.

There is no denying that wearing tuxedos during formal occasions lends majesty and elegance to the wearer – more so, if it is a black tuxedo that imparts a classic look. If you are particular about a formal look, then tail jacket with a black tie would certainly make you stand out. This would give attention-grabbing and particularly recommended for evening parties.

Tuxedo Accessories:

The tuxedo accessories are a cummerbund with the pleats facing up, shoes that are in black patent leather, the bow tie that matches the cummerbund and if you wish to wear a vest instead of cummerbund, the necktie that matches the vest. There is little doubt that the right type of a TUXEDO lends elegance to a man’s deportment and no man’s wardrobe can be deemed complete without a tuxedo.

View: Tips on wearing Three Buttoned Suit

Tips on wearing Three Buttoned Suit

You may be buying your first suit or just updating your wardrobe, the most baffling question would be whether to go for one, two or three button suits. Before landing on a decision, you need to consider factors like your lifestyle, body type and the trend factor of your garments. You would surely want to shell out the cash for purchasing the right suit for your body as well as your current wardrobe needs. The following tips would give an insight into who, what, where, and when of wearing three-button suits that comes under the single breasted variety.

Who can wear 3 buttoned suits?
If you are someone taller than six feet, the three button suit would be the excellent option for you. This is because the buttons on the jacket would reach higher up on the chest. Thus it would be visually appealing on the tall men and make it more comfortable. You can also consider the three button suits jacket if you are a waistcoat enthusiast. Even though the three buttoned suit dates back its feel to the 60s, it has recently made a comeback by finding a place in the fall collections of many influential designers. If you own a classic cut model, they would surely stay in the loop for long time. This is because the suits are comparatively trend proof even though they are not as timeless as the two buttoned ones.

How to wear 3 buttoned suits?
It is not just enough to know which type of suit would look best on you but it is equally important to know how to wear it perfectly. According to recent trends the three buttoned suits are best worn by fastening the top two buttons. However this may make the lapels on some suit appear unusually short leading to the risk of appearing awkward. For getting an elegant look, you need to close only the middle button for an elegant look. This would also help if you don’t have an abundance of confidence naturally. But you need to always remember not to close the bottom button at any circumstances as this would distort the drape of the fabric. However while purchasing a suit, look if it is possible to close the buttons of the suit without pulling or stretching the fabric even though all the buttons would never be closed.

When / where to wear 3 buttoned suits?
Finally, you need to be sensible and wear the three buttoned suits at appropriate occasions only. They are a good alternative to two button mens suits for office wear, particularly if you want to stand out from everyone else.

View : Different Patterns in Men’s Suits

Different Patterns in Men’s Suits

Just as suit style, fit and color, suit patterns are also important. Solid, Pinstripe, Windowpane, and Check patterns are four main suit designs to consider.

Solid Suit:
The solid suit is a plain suit which consists of only one color. It means this suit does not have any designs like windowpanes, pinstripes, or checkered patterns. Solid suits are very popular in colors such as black, charcoal gray, navy blue and even white. You will also find them in a wide range of other colors like brown, khaki, tan, and even purple.

This sort of suit is appropriate for office situations as it is very non-distracting. It is also very versatile and can be worn with all sorts of accessories. Matching a shirt or tie is easy with this suit because you can choose any type of design to match the suit.

Pinstripe Suit:
Besides the solid suit, pinstripe suit is the most basic mens suit pattern you can get. This style of pattern consists of vertical lines running all over the suit jacket and pants. These stripes are of medium width and thickness when compared to their pencil striped suit and chalk striped suit counterparts. The pencil striped suits are thin and closely spaced while the chalk striped suits consist of thick stripes. The Pinstripe is by far the most popular striped suit and men use this suit to look more formal and authoritative.

Windowpane Suit:
The windowpane suit is a bit more stylish than the solid color and pinstripe suits. This suit pattern is created by running lines both vertically and horizontally to make square "windowpane" patterns. Parties, religious events, and less formal social events are perfect places to show off this type of suit model. However, this mens suit is generally not formal enough to wear to the office, and certainly not professional enough to wear to an interview.

Matching this suit with a nice tie can need some skill on the wearer. You must remember to take into account the size of the windowpane pattern versus the size of the tie pattern as well as the colors. Nevertheless, matching this suit with a stylish shirt and tie can be very rewarding in the end.

Plaid Suit:
The plaid suit is one of the fancier patterned suits on the market.  This suit can’t be seen as often as many of the other suit patterns on the market because of its high cost and difficult tailoring methods. This suit is similar to the windowpane suit with its use of vertical and horizontal lines. However, the lines will run in close knit groups with various gaps to create the box like openings.

This pattern can be worn to less formal office settings and fun social gatherings such as church, weddings, and parties. Care should be taken while adding accessories as not all ties will match appropriately with this type of pattern.

Checkered Suit:
This suit pattern is one of the trendier styles that can be worn to important social events. You can wear this suit on formal dates, church, weddings and even parties. This suit consists of vertical and horizontal lines running throughout the suit to create a unique looking pattern. Highly skilled tailors are needed to make this suit, as the lapels and pockets can be hard to match up with the main body of the suit. Materials and colors are just as widely available in this suit as well.

View this : The Ten Wardrobe Essentials for Men

The Ten Wardrobe Essentials for Men

Prior to building a functional wardrobe, a guy must initially assess his lifestyle. If he needs to put on a suit every day, he will require several suits. For a casual work environment, he will require more khakis or jeans compared to trousers or suits. Regardless of his situation, there are things every man should have in his wardrobe.

1. A suit (navy or gray):
   Although suit is needed only for a couple of times a year, it would be nice to have it readily available when those occasions occur. Gray or navy suits are suitable for many occasions as they are neutral and hence can go with any color, combination, skin tone, and occasion. You can also put on the blazer with khakis or jeans. This is a thing really worth spending some money on.
2. Black shoes and belt:
   These can be worn with slacks, jeans and your suit and hence an essential combo. Before purchasing brown, get black. They would prove to be more beneficial especially while attending more formal or evening functions.
3. White dress shirt (suitable for day and night occasions):
   White dress shirts look fine on just about everybody. They look sharp and are versatile but avoid wearing them as a casual shirt.
4. Solid ties:
   Solid ties are trouble-free and versatile. If you are not interested in solid ties, go for a tie with diagonal stripe. Having several tie patterns on hand will ensure that you are equipped for interviews, weddings and evening events.
5. Blue blazer:
   A blue blazer easily matches with khakis and other stuffs and is suitable for all year round. Or else, you could try a tweed sport coat but remember that tweed is really only useful in fall and winter. Either way a blazer or tweed sport coat holds a look together.
6. Khakis and jeans:
   Both of them are a staple of the American wardrobe.
7. Overcoat:
   An overcoat is a type of long coat intended to be worn as the outermost garment. It also refers to 3/4-length or car coat length. This thing really completes an outfit and can be put on with everything including jeans.
8. Athletic wear:
   Even for non-athletic persons, athletic wear will be needed for those lazy Sundays.
9. Casual shirt:
   A casual shirt such as a polo or button down is a must have for your wardrobe as it could be worn with jeans or other casual pants.
10. Deconstructed suit:
    It will be nice to have a deconstructed suit as it gives a relaxed look. Moreover, the slacks and blazer can be put on separately.

Don't buy something just because it is on sale or is a great deal. It must be something you would like to wear anyway and matches up with your wardrobe. Buy clothes that will make you feel comfortable, confident and fits your style.

View: Five Basic Rules for Men's Formal Clothing

Five Basic Rules for Men's Formal Clothing

There are people who believe in the saying "Know the rules and break some”. While such saying can be applied in some aspects of a man’s life, you can never relate it to men's fashion. Each and every types of clothing have specific rules. Once you break any of the basic rules, you may end up looking muddled or feeling uncomfortable with your outfit. However if you well understood and properly follow the rules, you will arguably look best in your outfit.

Hence, if you are going to attend events, especially if it is a formal one, make sure you follow the basic rules in fashion. Bear in mind, rules in casual clothing are more flexible while the rules for formal wear are the more formalistic. Before knowing the methods on how to accessorize formal attire like tuxedos or suits, first know the basic rules for men's fashion in formal wear.

Rule: 1
White is the safest color for a formal shirt and is the finest choice for some occasions like black tie events or a job interview. On the other hand, white shirt can also be the most boring when worn for more relaxed settings. To avoid looking tedious, you may also try conservative, muted colored shirt or one with patterns. Never wear see-through or translucent shirts for formal occasions unless you want to be the laughing stock on the event.

Rule: 2
Choose a shirt that perfectly fits you. You have the freedom to wear any size of shirt, but ensure you are only wearing well-fitted shirts when going to a formal or even special occasion. If you prefer to wear a shirt that does not fit you, the sleeves will expose your wrists. Avoid wearing tight collared shirt, which will just make you look messy and may choke you once worn with a tie. So, make sure the collar and sleeves are just right and comfortable to wear.

Rule: 3
Fasten the shirt buttons. All buttons in your shirt should be fastened, including those in the side of the sleeve, near the shirt cuff. The buttons keep your forearm from being exposed on the hole where the sleeve is unbuttoned. Don't forget to fasten the button-down collar to prevent the buttons below the collar from sticking out awkwardly.

Rule: 4
Make sure your pants fit you, too. If you bought pants that are too long for you, let them be hemmed. It is better to buy longer pants as they can be altered. Aside from the length, you should also check its waistline. If your pants are too large, they will look baggy.

Rule: 5
Choose accessories that complement each other. Never wear brown belt with black shoes or vice versa. The color of your accessories should always match each other. Also, avoid wearing sneakers with formal attire. Make sure your shoes provide elegance and go well with your formal wear.

Since you are going to wear your outfit for a formal affair, look for ultra-conservative socks. Formal socks should be thin, although ultra-thin nylon socks are not totally necessary. Make sure your socks are long enough to keep your calf and ankle from being exposed when you cross your legs.

Men’s Suits for Weddings and Parties

Mens suits have traditionally enjoyed tremendous popularity over the decades and deemed the right attire for different occasions - like social events, business meetings, corporate functions and wedding parties. There may be various types of men’s suits and fashion may keep changing but hitherto no male attire has been invented to replace the time-tested men’s suits.

Broadly speaking, men’s suits for weddings and parties may be classified into four different types of designs - Solid, Pinstripe, Windowpane, and Check patterns.

Solid suit:

The solid suit is a plain basic type of suit that is mostly of a single color. People who wear solid suits generally opt for colors such as black, charcoal gray, navy blue and rarely white. Some of the less favored colors are brown, khaki, tan, and purple. The solid suits are rather prosaic and they are the preferred choice of people who want to keep a low profile and appear sedate and not flamboyant at parties and social meets.

Pinstripe suit:

The pinstripe suit is of a popular pattern that consists of vertical lines running all over the suit jacket and pants. These stripes are of medium width and thickness or they are pencil striped or chalk striped. The pencil striped suits are thin and narrow spaced while the chalk striped suits have thick stripes. The Pinstripe suit lends the wearer a stern appearance and best suited for serious minded persons.

Windowpane suit:

The windowpane suit is lot more stylish and flamboyant and this suit pattern has running lines both vertically and horizontally to make square "windowpane" patterns. Private parties and less formal social events are ideal times to wear this type of suit. Matching this suit with a stylish and well-tailored shirt and colorful tie can make you conspicuous in any wedding or other types of parties.

Check pattern suits:

Check pattern suits are one of the flamboyant styles that can be ideally worn for major social events including weddings. This suit consists of vertical and horizontal lines running throughout the suit to create an eye-catchy fascinating pattern. Tailoring this type of suit calls for professional expertise as it will be difficult to match the lapels and pockets with the main body of the suit.

Wedding suits:

Needless to say, the most important of all types of men’s suits is the wedding suit. Wedding suits are designed and tailored with great care and are made using rich fabrics. Wedding suits can be found in many different styles, fabrics and colors - to suit individual tastes and the scale of the wedding.

Ready-made men’s suits:

Ready-made men suit are best avoided as quite often they do not perfectly fit the wearer’s body shape unlike the specially tailored ones. Readymade jackets will require alterations including lengthening or shortening of the sleeves. Pants too will need proper hemming. If you can afford and also have the time, it is wise to opt for a specially tailored suit customized to your body fitness needs.

Other Types of Suits:

Many men are enamored of wearing 3-piece vintage suits comprising of the trousers, jacket, and vest. Traditional vintage suits are made up of either wool or polyester and are available in many different colors and patterns. Among different types of suits the most commonly worn for late night parties is the dinner suit. This is a black tie suit which broadly resembles the day lounge suit. The other less known types of men’s suits for weddings and parties are Dress suits, Classic suits, Italian suits and Contemporary suits.

History of Zoot Suits

The history of origin of zoot suits is pretty unclear. They date back to several decades. And exact details of when it was originally developed can never be precisely found. However, we can say that zoot suits were very famous during the 1940’s. These suits have a vast and weird history where it brings both fashion world and political world together. Thus thanks to its reputation, as it is considered to be prestigious to own one or even wear one. It is an example of early sub-cultural style and thus indeed an example of dressing style. The style was later acquired in the late 1990’s by V&A textiles and dress department as a distinctive dress which also represents critical moment in the history of race relations. In the early 1940’s it was welcomed pretty well in the urban areas of North America. It was quickly adapted and became strongly associated with working class black people and Hispanic and Filipino men. And those ages were pretty difficult times in terms of Mafia and racism that existed amidst the social omens.

This suit typically consists of a long handed jacket with wide lapels, padded shoulders and high waist, wide legged, tight cuffed pegged trousers worn with a flat crowned wide brimmed hat. The men typically had thick duck-tail hair style, thick soled pointed shoes and a long watch chain buckled to their coat going inside their coat side pockets. People who wore these suits also carried them around with some level of attitude which immediately became a social topic and many novels and movies adapted them and projected the dangerous times. Much worse it was the same time, when World War II was fought.

The replica adopted by V&A was based on the famous zoot suit worn by Cab Calloway in the high profile 20th century fox film “Stormy Weather”. The self confidence and assertiveness shown by people who wore these suits, most of them who were from poverty struck regions or underwent racial discrimination, kindled the fire amidst the hearts of many. Such is the spellbound notion it carries along. It makes you look classy, elegant, stylish and respectable. There is no doubt regarding the awesomeness you would carry around whilst wearing this suit and people would simply stay awestruck.

These suits are strongly connected with the name Harold C. Fox, a Chicago clothier and big-band trumpeter, Louis Lettes, a Memphis tailor, and Nathan Elkus, a Detroit retailer. They gained popularity in the Harlem Jazz culture during the late 1930’s where they were initially named as drapes. The riots in Los Angeles during World War II was specially named after the suit and commonly known as Zoot suit riots. The essence and the importance of owning such a suit is certainly indescribable. But nonetheless, it is considered to be very precious. This site is a very reputable site and there is no question about the quality of suits they have been selling for years now. They have various designs, styles and other suit models as well.