Yes, we said buy because unless you’re 17 years old and rolling to prom, renting is no longer an option. This is a quicky guide for fashionably challenged men that don’t speak Calvin Klein, Prada or Tom Ford. Also for the ladies who don’t know jack about dressing their men. People a tuxedo is not a bad thing, do not be afraid of the tuxedo. The tuxedo has been fashionable since 1886, you can’t say that about your Nike dunks no matter how cool you think they are. Thus, it should never be a chore to wear one, they are gentlemanly and classic and every woman is attracted to a good tux. With the right tuxedo you can take on the world or at least a room, but you need to understand a few things about yourself first. Are you a bow tie or regular tie guy? Do you even know what a peak-lapel versus a shawl-collar means? We say the tux must always be tailored to fit like a glove. The shirt must be white, the shoulders sharp and the black tie, very black but lets start at the beginning.

Bow ties are back in. If don’t feel daring or just don’t dare to be an attention grabber then opt for the basic black tux and white shirt. Keep the shirt fitted slim because when you chuck the jacket you do not want to look like a pirate. Dior Homme makes a good slim-fitted shirt for $495. If you don’t know your lapels then go with a notch lapel, it makes less of a statement than a shawl or peak lapel. Notch lapels resemble a more classical suit jacket and tend to flatter more men than not.

 

 

If you are going for something a little different, we said a little different, than convention. A midnight blue tux hits an alternative, but still classic, note without getting all tacky. Generally, wear the midnight blue suit, not light blue monstrosity, with a white shirt and black tie. Unless you still want to be different, which in that case, you can do a black formalwear shirt, open at the collar. There are good versions of this tux by Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Neil Barrett, and D&G. If midnight blue just isn’t your color then go for a black velvet jacket, not the full suit guys but just the jacket and keep the rest of the suit simple. Velvet doesn’t work in summer, it looks silly.  Equally not to be done in summer is the white dinner jacket. If you are going for Old Hollywood, think Clark Gables or Cary Grant, then master the white dinner jacket. Best to be worn from March through October, always with black pants and especially around mint juleps. If you want a more modern look then opt for an understated take on a two-button tuxedo.  The two-button tuxedo will be good for almost any formal occasion. Calvin Klein makes a great looking moder tuxedo for $1,195, Tom Ford makes a swankier version for $6,840.

Your tuxedo should be the focal point, not you cuff links so keep them understated. If you need a little more color in your life then go for a pale pink or dusty blue shirt. We are not talking brights or pastels here, but a few shades off white. The colored shirt is a good wardrobe for avid tuxedo wearers, it will help mixup the black and white monotony.

As for footwear, the shoes should always be black, period. We say keep the shoes simple too, no wingtips or monkstraps. Just basic good old-fashioned black leather lace-ups or slip-ons. If your black tie affair is ultra fancy then go for black patent leather kicks. Top it all off with a simple watch that has a black band. We like Chopard’s for $10,690 but as long as the watch isn’t flashing the time, you should be alright.

Take our tuxedo advice and you will be debonair and put together at your next black tie affair. Don’t scoff at the tuxedo, embrace it because it’s not going out of style in the near future. Good luck guys and may a Barney’s sales associate always be with you.