Tuxedos

The dinner jacket, also known as the Tuxedo, has a long and fascinating history dating back to the 19th century. Once a symbol of aristocratic elegance, today the dinner jacket is an essential item of evening wear for men who want to embody style and class on formal occasions. A designer tuxedo for men in particular stands for the highest standards, exquisite taste and follows fixed style rules and a fixed dress code.

What Distinguishes a Tuxedo From a Suit?

A tuxedo is a particularly elegant suit designed for formal occasions. Compared to "classic" designer suits for men, which can be worn in the office, at dinner in a restaurant or for stylish wedding guest looks, the tuxedo has the following characteristic features:

• Classic colour choice: mostly black or midnight blue
• Dinner jacket with silk scarf lapel or peak lapel
• Jacket in one-button design (rarely also double-breasted three-button style)
• Piped front pockets
• Trousers with galon stripes
• No belt loops on the trousers
• Straight, close-fitting trousers
• Traditionally worn with a bow-tie and cummerbund
• Made from virgin wool and wool with silk details
• Suitable for exclusive dinners, galas, premieres or a special ceremony such as a wedding

Dinner Jacket Vs. Smart-Casual Jacket

In contrast to a jacket, i.e. a simple designer smart-casual jacket for men, a tuxedo is a two-piece suit consisting of a dinner jacket and matching suit trousers and, in some cases, a waistcoat. You can always recognise a dinner jacket by the fact that it only has one button to fasten and a silk shawl collar. The designer tuxedo for men is also only worn on special occasions and is firmly part of evening wear, while the smart-casual jacket is available in numerous styles and also plays a major role in daywear. You can also wear a smart-casual jacket with jeans or jogger pants, whereas the dinner jacket follows the fixed styling rules of menswear.

The Historical Development of the Tuxedo

The origins of the tuxedo can be traced back to the late 19th century. Back then, it was customary for gentlemen to slip into dinner jackets after dinner to spend time in smoking parlours. These jackets were usually made of velvet and served to keep the smell of tobacco away from the rest of the clothing. The modern designer tuxedo for men, as we know it today, was developed by Henry Poole & Co, a renowned tailor in London's Savile Row, for the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII). The Prince wanted an elegant but comfortable garment that was less formal than the tailcoat, but still stylish enough for evening gatherings. The result was the classic black dinner jacket with silk lapels, which quickly became the standard for formal evening wear. Today, the designer tuxedo for men is a symbol of timeless elegance and is worn at weddings, gala dinners, balls and premieres.

How to Wear a Designer Tuxedo for Men

A designer tuxedo for men is more than just a suit; it is a statement and designed for unforgettable moments, which is why it is often worn as a wedding suit. When it comes to styling, it's the details that make the difference between an average look and an outstanding one. With these tips, your dinner jacket look will be timeless and elegant:

The Tuxedo Jacket

The classic dinner jacket is single-breasted and black, with shiny silk or satin lapels in the form of a shawl collar - this is the classic version. However, a dramatic peak lapel is also permitted. For special occasions, you can also opt for a deep blue dinner jacket, which looks just as elegant. In addition to a classic breast pocket, the jacket of the designer dinner jacket for men has piped hip pockets, which are usually also trimmed with silk. The buttons are also covered with fabric, which gives the whole thing a harmonious and elegant look. Because the front button is positioned low on the waist, the lapel collar appears longer and the V-silhouette is emphasised, resulting in a particularly masculine, shoulder-accentuated look. Make sure that the tuxedo jacket fits perfectly – it should be shorter and more fitted than a classic smart-casual jacket. The shoulders must fit perfectly and the sleeves should extend to the wrist so that the cuffs, including the cufflinks, protrude from the jacket sleeve and remain visible.

The Tuxedo Trousers

The matching trousers are usually made without a pleat and have a slim cut. A silk seam, also known as a galon or galon stripe, which runs along the outer seam of the trouser legs, is characteristic of the classic men's designer dinner jacket. It is important that the length of the trousers is precisely tailored – they should only touch the shoe slightly. Dinner jacket trousers also have no belt loops, as the belt is replaced by a classic cummerbund. Braces are also a popular alternative.

The Tuxedo Shirt

A white designer tuxedo shirt for men with a concealed button placket or an elegant pleated front is the perfect complement. Look for a stiff chest and detachable collar stays to ensure a flawless look. A notched collar, which provides the perfect stage for any bow tie, or a classic turn-down collar are the most popular options for a designer dinner jacket for men. The buttons on the shirt can be either white or black. French cuffs offer the perfect opportunity to refine your gala dinner look with purist cufflinks.

The Accessories

The choice of accessories can make or break the look of a designer dinner jacket for men. A black bowtie is the traditional companion, but a velvet bowtie can also look stylish. A cummerbund or waistcoat in a matching colour creates an elegant silhouette. As the dinner jacket shirt is a must, you should complement it with classically elegant designer cufflinks for men. You can also opt for a stylish pocket square. There is a large selection of designer pocket squares for men. You are on the safe side with a white silk model. However, subtle patterns or picking up the colour of your bow tie can also look very stylish.

What Shoes Do You Wear With a Tuxedo?

The right shoes for a black-tie event are plain black dress shoes, designer oxfords for men or designer derbies for men, made of polished patent leather in combination with black stockings. The designer knee-high socks for men are always worn up to the shin. Classic dress shoes, which you usually wear to the office, are less appropriate. Elegant designer loafers for men made of velvet, jacquard or varnished leather are also a stylish choice - the main thing is that your shoes are extremely elegant and match the modern designer dinner jacket for men. The important thing is that the dinner jacket shoe should be perfectly clean, because nothing diminishes your charisma more than an uncleaned pair of shoes.

What Does the Dress Code "Black Tie" Mean?

Contrary to what you might expect from the term "black tie", the dress code does not call for a black tie with a designer dinner jacket for men, but for a bow tie. The black tie dress code is the classic framework in which a dinner jacket is worn. Here, a single-breasted or double-breasted black men's designer dinner jacket with a lapel collar made of silk is mandatory. The trousers should be the same colour as the jacket and the shirt must be white. Black patent leather shoes round off the ensemble. Creativity and individuality are required here, especially in the details such as the pocket handkerchief or the front of your dinner jacket shirt. Men's fashion offers a number of accessories that you can use to add a personal touch to your look.

The Black Tie dress code is therefore clearly defined and leaves little room for interpretation. However, there are three other formal dress codes that are derived from it and follow other guidelines:

Creative Black Tie

This dress code allows a little more leeway and creativity. You can experiment with colours and patterns as long as the formal nature of the outfit is maintained. A designer dinner jacket for men in dark blue or even midnight blue can be a stylish choice here. However, a modern designer dinner jacket for men in a combination of a jacket in cream white or a velvet tuxedo jacket and black trousers is also an option. A patterned waistcoat or a coloured bow tie are also permitted as long as they match the overall look. Velvet loafers with embroidery are also an individual alternative to the patent leather shoes of the classic black-tie look.

Black Tie Optional

The Black Tie optional dress code offers elegant flexibility for formal occasions. With this dress code, the classic dinner jacket with a black bow tie and white shirt is encouraged, but not mandatory. Alternatively, men can wear a dark suit with a white shirt, a dark designer tie for men and elegant leather lace-ups. It is important that the chosen outfit remains formal and stylish. However, a bow tie should be avoided with a suit, as this could give the impression that the "black tie" dress code has not been fully mastered. The designer dinner jacket for men remains the preferred choice to fulfil the highest standard of elegance.

White Tie

White tie is the most formal dress code for an evening event and calls for a tailcoat, not a tuxedo. Nevertheless, a designer dinner jacket for men can also be used here if the occasion is less strict. In this case, however, you should be aware that the classic tailcoat with white waistcoat and bow tie represents the highest level of formal evening wear. Unlike the black tie dress code, the patent leather shoe is a compulsory element here. For particularly formal daytime events, on the other hand, a formal suit, also known as a cutaway, would be the appropriate choice.