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Clothes Make The Man
By Amy O'Malley
Photography By Brenda Ladd Photography
Most might think the only person noticed at a wedding is the Bride. But guys, this is not true. It is your day too! I know that you are used to wearing casual clothes, but on this extraordinary day, you too can shine! Whether you are tall, broad, slim, short or stocky, you will look fantastic in a tuxedo. There isn’t a man alive that doesn’t look great in one. Even if you don’t have the figure of a GQ model, you can show your style by choosing the correct tuxedo. Read on for tips and advice.
Tall and Broad Man
If you are one of those dedicated guys that workout daily, and have broad shoulders, neck, arms, and chest, you may not want extra padding to add bulk to your build. You may want to consider a shawl collar tuxedo. Its clean lines will give you a slimmer line. You should opt for a single- breasted jacket with only one button. You should also make sure that the jacket you are wearing is long enough for you. A good indication of this is to relax your hands at your sides. If your fingertips reach the bottom of the jacket, this is a good length. Shirt cuffs should sit about 1/2 inch beyond the jacket sleeve. This rule applies to any good suit. Tall and broad men should choose dark colors or possibly a striped pair of trousers to give you a leaner look and draw attention away from your upper body. If you have a thick waist, go with a vest with a deep neckline and avoid cummerbunds, which will draw attention to your midsection.
Tall and Slim Man
You are one of those lucky guys that can select just about any style of tuxedo that is suitable for your wedding fashion taste. You can try a longer cut jacket with four or five buttons, or even a double-breasted style. Almost any style will suit your body type. However, you may want to add extra padding in your jacket shoulders and add a contrasting cummerbund and pleated shirt to compliment your appearance.
Short and Slim Man
If you happen to be a small-framed man, you will need to pay special attention to the tailoring. A well-fit suit is the key to style success for men with shorter frames. A classic two or three button jacket and pleated pants in monochromatic colors work best. A satin stripe on your tux pants also will help add height.
Short and Stocky Man
If you are short and stocky, you too can look amazing in a tux. Like the tall and broad man, you should consider a shawl collar tuxedo to give you a leaner look. To offset a large waist, thicker shoulder pads will help give the illusion of a broader chest and slimmer midsection. Choose a long vest with a deep “V” neckline and avoid frilly or pleated shirts and cummerbunds. Black or navy is the best colors to shed pounds from your physique. If necessary, choose a larger jacket so that it doesn’t pull at the waist when buttoned.
All should abide by these rules when choosing a tuxedo.
- Collars and ties need to be carefully selected. If you have a wide face or thick neck, you don’t want to look like you’re being choked!
- The jacket should be a little loose to allow easy movement.
- Trouser legs should be slightly wider if you are sporting large or muscular thighs for the sake of comfort and looks.
- Avoid wing-tip collars and very small ties if you have a large face or neck.
- If you’d like to appear broader, a notched or “peal” lapel is a good choice. Create the same effect with a double-breasted jacket.
- The trousers should be pleated with reverse double pleats, and the trouser legs should break just above the shoes, angling slightly downward in back.
- Morning suits, a long black or gray jacket with a wide tail at the back, should only be worn in the a.m. and tuxedos should only be worn in the evening.
Advice for Shirts
If you thought the range of tuxedos was wide, wait until you see what shirts are available. Shirts will usually come in one of the three types of collars; the wing collar is the most popular and allows you to see the whole bowtie; the lay down collar reveals only the bow and knot; and the band collar, with which no tie is worn – instead, a cufflink-like fastener closes the shirt at the throat. Most tux shirts button down the front, but also offer special buttonholes below the neck for the insertion of shirt studs. They come in sets of four and should match your cufflinks. Your formalwear expert can assist you in choosing just the right shirt for just the right tux, and for your body build.
Advice for Trousers
The trousers should fit snugly around the waist. An ideal fit would allow the trousers to just hold up without a belt when the waist is fastened and the fly is zipped. There should be enough room in the seat to allow for comfortable movement, such as bending over or sitting. The trouser leg should be just long enough for the rear of the bottom of the leg to cover the back of the shoe and to come to rest on the top of the heel of the shoe. The front of the trouser leg should fold down over the instep of the shoe.
Advice for Men’s Formal Accessories
Love the look of a classic tuxedo, but want to add a little of your own personality to your style? Select suitable trimmings to add a little flair to your wedding attire. For example;
- A vest – if you’re looking for a sleek, modern look choose to express your individual style with a tuxedo vest. These are available in styles that range from three to seven buttons and vests are available in a surplus of colors and patterns. Another bit of advice is to choose a vest with a full back if you are planning to remove your jacket any time during the wedding or reception.
- A cummerbund – A pleated belt; is a perfect tuxedo accessory if you’re slender and aren’t planning to do a lot of dancing at the wedding. Cummerbunds draw attention to your mid-section. *They also tend to ride up if you move around a lot.
- The tie – There are so many different options to choose from. The four-in-hand is closest to a regular suit tie, and comes in every color, pattern, and style you can imagine. A do-it-yourself bow tie is usually reserved for more formal occasions, and goes well with a formal wing-collared shirt. Anything clip-on should be avoided. Ties that are hand-tied look best.
- Jewelry – This is where you can really add a touch of your personality. Look for unusual button covers, studs, or cuff links to add punch to your tuxedo. These small, but significant additions will change a standard tuxedo with that “rented” look to one that will put you in a formal class by yourself.
- Personality – After getting an ok from the bride, you could wear your favorite football team tie, or vest decorated with your college fraternity insignia. This is a great way to carry out your personal style on your wedding day. Most importantly, this is all based on the formality of your wedding, your bride’s sense of humor and your own sense of humor.
To find the perfect tuxedo, and accessories, call Tuxedo Junction. They have the experience to steer you toward the perfect fit, and style for your frame. The members of your wedding party will look just like you pictured them, and your bride will be mesmerized by the sight of her “Prince Charming.” Visit experts at Tuxedo Junction, or find them online at www.tuxedojunction.com for that perfect tuxedo.
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