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Picking the Perfect Tuxedo

By: James Monahan

Tuxedos are the tailored suit for men. It is well known for its satin lapel. This type of formal wear could be widely seen during formal dinners as well as other events like a wedding.

The name tuxedo was derived from a region in New York where the Marquis de Chastellux referred to in 1754 as the "Tuxedo Pond." The place was also called the Duck Seeder because it is a favorite place to hunt wild ducks.

The Lorillard family is responsible for Tuxedo Pond's first step to society. They have turned the place into an elite hunting and fishing resort.

Later in the year 1885, Tuxedo Pond later developed into a social district; thus it was called Tuxedo Park, with Iames Brown Potter as one of its founders. In November that year, the Prince of Wales introduced the idea of dinner jackets to Mr. Potter.

The first appearance of the Tuxedo was in October 1886. It was the first Autumn Ball of the Tuxedo Club. Griswold Lorillard and his friends who wore the wardrobe that was to be called the "Tuxedo."

They wore a red satin-lapelled jacket with no tails as would the traditional white dinner jackets should look like. And from then on, the idea was adapted by everyone else.

Today, tuxedos could be seen worn by everybody especially on formal occasions. Here are the most popular types of tuxedos and some guidelines on what occasion to wear them.

The first is the Full Dress Tailcoat. It is more commonly known as the White Tie. This type of tuxedo is perfect for formal evening weddings.

Another type is the Stroller. This type is often seen being worn by the attendants of the groom in a wedding. This type is great for a formal morning wedding.

A contemporary substitute for a formal occasion is the Notch Lapel Tuxedo. But the Peak Lapel Tuxedo is a more traditional alternative than the Notch Lapel plus it could be worn both in the morning as well as in the evening.

In choosing the perfect tuxedo, the body type of the man who will wear it is the utmost consideration. The tuxedo should not only show elegance but it should also flatter the one wearing the tux. It should be able to enhance the whole package.

For short, slender grooms, they should be looking for single breasted jackets that have long lines. A low button stance and wide-peak lapels lengthen the body visually.

They could also opt for double breasted jacket or delicately patterned vest and tie for a more stylish approach. The pants should always break somewhere on the top of the shoe. It should also slant a little downward at the back.

For short, stocky grooms, slim shawl collars would fit them best. Here the top button should be somewhere near the small of the waist so it will give the torso an illusion of a leaner waist.

Avoiding a more broad-shoulder styled jacket would also help. Men with this body type should stick to a more natural shoulder-lined jacket. This time the pants should reach the foot but be careful not to make the pant leg break too much on the foot else it will make it look shoddy.

Shawl collar tuxedos are best for tall, husky grooms. This would enhance the broad shoulders and the muscular body type of the men. The length of the jacket is essential. The fingertips should reach the bottom of the jacket. The shirt cuffs should also extend at least a half inch beyond the jacket sleeve.

Tall, slim grooms could best fit in almost any tuxedo type of his choice. But still, the tuxedo should be full and follow the lines of the body.

James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of Tuxedo Base and writes expert articles about tuxedos.

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