Formalwear Guide
Wedding Tuxedo Tips
A chart of men’s formalwear, for weddings and other good times.
Contemporary
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Very Formal Evening |
Semi-Formal Evening |
Very Formal Daytime |
Formal Evening |
Second and Later Weddings |
| Groom |
Black full dress (tailcoat), white or other color tailcoat acceptable. Shirt coordinates with tailcoat, tie and vest match tailcoat in color, except if wearing black full-dress wear white wing collar pique shirt with white pique vest and bow. Shoes: Patent. |
Tuxedo or tailcoat, in range of colors - dark for fall and winter, pastels for spring and summer, white for any time of year. Shirt white or coordinate with tuxedo in color, may be pleated or flat. Shoes: Patent |
Updated cutaway usually grey, with striped or matching trousers, white shirt striped tie or ascot; or tuxedo in conservative colors, dark for winter or all grey cutaway outfit with wing or fold collar formal shirt and striped grey ascot or four-in-hand tie.
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Tuxedo or tailcoat, in range of colors, dark for winter, white and pastels for spring and summer or tropical climate. Updated stroller coat, with striped trousers. |
Formalwear appropriate to time of year, time of day, and style of the bride and her attendants. |
| Ushers and Junior Groomsmen |
Similar to groom in style. Most formal: identical tailcoat suits. |
Formalwear similar to groom in style, however, if groom chooses a tailcoat ushers can wear similar color tuxedos. Shirts white or coordinate with tuxedos in color, ties and vests match tuxedos.
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Similar to groom in style, or can wear matching stroller coats with striped or matching trousers. Usually same color as groom. |
Similar to groom, coordinated in color. |
Similar to groom coordinated in color. |
| Fathers |
Same as groom, or same as ushers, or in classic tuxedo. |
Similar to ushers, or in classic black tuxedo. |
Same as groom, or same as ushers, or in classic tuxedo. |
Either similar to the male attendants or formalwear of own choice. |
Same as groom or same as ushers. |
| Guests |
Formalwear similar to groom. For an elegant mood, specify "Black Tie" on invitation; guests will wear black tuxedos. |
Formalwear optional. For an elegant evening, specify "Black Tie" on invitations.
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Formalwear optional. |
Formalwear optional |
Similar to groom. Specify on invitations if you want your guests to dress formally. |
| Ring Bearer |
Same as groom/groomsmen |
Same as groom/groomsmen |
Same as groom/groomsmen |
Same as groom/groomsmen |
Same as groom/groomsmen |
TRADITIONAL
| |
Very Formal Evening |
Formal Evening |
Very Formal Daytime |
Semi-Formal Daytime |
| Groom |
Black full dress (tailcoat) with white wing collar pique formal shirt, white pique vest and bow. Shoes: Patent. May ear sprig from the bride’s bouquet as boutonniere. |
Black tuxedo, white pleated formal shirt, bow tie, vest or cummerbund to match tuxedo lapels. White dinner jacket with formal trousers for summer or tropical climate.
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Cutaway coat, grey striped trousers, grey vest, ascot, or striped four-in-hand tie. Optional top hat, spats, grey gloves. Shoes: Patent. |
Grey stroller, with striped trousers, pearl grey vest, four-in-hand tie with white pleated formal shirt. Optional: homburg gloves. |
| Ushers and Junior Groomsmen |
Identical to groom, with different boutonniere. |
Same as groom, perhaps with different boutonniere. |
Similar to groom in style, with possible variation in tie or shirt. |
Identical to groom perhaps with different boutonniere |
| Fathers |
Identical to groom, with different boutonniere. |
Same as ushers |
Same as groom or same as ushers. |
Same as groom, or same as ushers. |
| Guests |
May wear tuxedos, or if you specify "White Tie" on invitations guest should wear full dress identical to groom.
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Should be formally dressed. Specify "Black Tie" on invitations. |
You may suggest "Traditional Morning Attire" on invitations, if you would like your guests to be formally dressed. They would then choose formalwear similar to the groom’s. |
Formalwear optional |
| Ring Bearer |
Identical to groom/groomsmen |
Identical to groom/groomsmen |
Identical to groom/groomsmen |
Identical to groom/groomsmen |
AND FOR THE OTHER GOOD TIMES OF YOUR LIFE:
If the invitation says "White Tie" or "Full Dress"
It’s a very special occasion. A debutante dance, a diplomatic ball or reception, a Mardi Gras ball; an important fund-raising dinner. You’ll be dashing - and proper, too - in traditional full dress: A freshly laundered white wing collar pique shirt, crisp white pique vest, white pique tie, classic black trousers with the formal satin stripe, traditional black tailcoat just covering the vest, black patent shoes.
If the invitation says "Black Tie" or "Black Tie Invited"
You’ll want to dress correctly, in a smart, comfortable tuxedo, cut almost like your newest business suit. The traditional black, worn with white shirt and vest (or cummerbund) in black or dark shades), and a black tie or tie matching the cummerbund; and patent shoes. Worn to any festive event after six in the evening, to which the women will be wearing formal clothes. Formalwear specialists who are members of the International Formalwear Association can show you the latest formal attire appropriate for "Black Tie" events.
A cummerbund should always be worn with the pleats facing upward.
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