Everyone has an idea of what is expected when they receive an invitation to a black tie or formal event, such as an awards show, wedding or dinner event. But, in reality, the outcome of trying to cobble together a tuxedo without following the rules can result in hilarity, disaster or unintended fancy dress.
Men’s fashion is an ever-present conflict between two ethos. On one side sits the classic attire of old, the fabrics and styles that have served the needs of generation after generation. On the other side sits the innovative, the different, the abstract.
The black tuxedo is to menswear what the little black dress is to womenswear. However, like all fashion, we’re always ready for a fresh new twist on an old classic. Whether you want to wear a tuxedo for a black tie event or whether you’re looking for a tuxedo to attend semi-formal event in, there are lots of ways you can mix up this classic look by just adjusting color and details.
2016 marks the 130th anniversary of the greatest piece of formal menswear in America, the tuxedo. In recent years, a new hue has illuminated black tie apparel-- blue.
In the late 19th century, Men’s formalwear was forever changed. Residents of the affluent neighborhood, Tuxedo Park, started a new trend wearing dinner jackets that differed from that of common suits. The tuxedo is thought to have originated from that area in 1888, and at first referred to only the jacket. By the 1930s, the entire outfit was known by the name tuxedo. Since then, styles and tastes have changed, yet the tuxedo has remained mostly the same.
Working at a formal wear rental store for the majority of my younger life, I often encountered women coming in the tuxedo store requesting a tuxedo. Unfortunately, only men's tuxedos were available in the store. The option was to do crazy amounts of alterations on the guy's tuxedo in efforts to have it fit on a woman's build This was not the ideal situation.