Monday, December 15, 2008

The Tuxedo: Blend In or Stick Out

Today's tuxedos do a lot more than merely provide a neutral background to show off the bride's gown. Men are no longer content to sacrifice choice, and area tuxedo shops are responding by carrying different lines of suits in various elegant styles. Men want to look their best on this big day too, and the more options available to them, the better opportunity they have to sweep you off your feet.

The most popular choice among 08's grooms is still the classic black tux, due to its elegant overtones. However, there is a lot of variety within today's black tuxedos that make them anything but ordinary. Your groom has to choose between dinner jackets and tails, notched lapels and shawl collars, different pocket styles, jackets with or without vents, and many other details. These decisions are by no means minor, and each detail makes an important statement.

Another vital decision regards color. Pattern has become the staple of the tuxedo industry, for it combines many colors in a vest or cummerbund to match a variety of bridesmaids' dresses. The colors that these dresses come in are so varied that it would be practically impossible and definitely not cost-effective for tuxedo shops to develop ties, cummerbunds, and vests that coordinate perfectly with all of these colors. Instead, patterns have been developed which can be matched with a variety of dress colors. Patterns also provide grooms with an additional opportunity to express their individuality in making a loud or soft statement.

While most men are still wearing the traditional white wing collar shirts, pants are popular in pegged, pleated, and plain front styles. The various types of pants are chosen to complement the groomsmen's ages and tastes.

Many fathers and older groomsmen dislike the pegged styles preferred by many of their younger counterparts. To combat this problem, grooms are encouraged to forego the assumption that all groomsmen's pants should match, and instead allow their attendants to choose whichever style they are more comfortable with.

Shop around for prices, styles, and friendly, personal service. Tuxedo shops often carry different lines of tuxedos, and offer various "deals." Investigate each of these deals, and find out what exactly is included in the prices. A complete tuxedo ensemble should include a jacket, shirt, studs and cufflinks, bow tie or ascot, pants, a vest or cummerbund, and formal dress shoes. Every detail is important, so make sure each is included in your price.

The choice between a cummerbund and vest is a reflection of the groom's style. Cummerbunds are traditional favorites, while vests add a little 1990's sophistication to your groom.

Once the groom's ensemble has been selected, the two of you will need to decide what the groomsmen will wear. The groom should be easily distinguishable from his attendants in attire, so choose suits for them that complement, but do not mimic, his. One way to accomplish this is for the groom to wear tails, with the groomsmen in regular hip-length dinner jackets. Another way to distinguish the groom from the groomsmen would be for him to wear a vest with a pattern in a certain color, while his attendants wear the same patterned vest in a different color. Even the best man must match the other groomsmen. Only the ringbearer is allowed to wear the same tuxedo ensemble as the groom.

The fathers can be distinguished from the other attendants by matching their ties and vests or cummerbunds to their tuxedos instead of the bridesmaids' dresses.

The best idea, as with all other wedding arrangements, is to plan early. Register with a tuxedo shop as soon as possible, and reserve tuxedo numbers and styles at least three months before the wedding.

Don't neglect to check in to make sure that your order was placed, especially if you plan to marry in the spring/summer season. Not only is this the time for the most weddings to take place, but it is also high school prom season, and therefore an especially busy time for tuxedo shops.

About two to three weeks before your wedding, bring in the entire male party for measurements. If an attendant is out of town, make sure a measurement card is filled out correctly so that the shop can order a fitting tuxedo.

Have the tuxedos ready for pickup no less than two days before the wedding. Insist that all attendants try on their tuxes before they leave the shop to avoid last minute surprises.

Even choosing a tuxedo is no longer a simple detail, with all of these decisions to be made. Take advantage of the myriad of possibilities that allow your groom to express his own style and look so handsome at the same time!

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