Tuxedos are synonymous with men's formalwear. Consisting of a jacket and matching trousers -- typically with a waistcoat -- they offer a clean and formal style. Tuxedos, in fact, are considered more formal than standard suits. If you're planning to attend a black-tie dinner or event, you can't go wrong with a tuxedo. Even if you're familiar with the basic style of a tuxedo, though, there are probably some things you don't know about them. Here are seven fun facts about tuxedos.
#1) Originated in the 19th Century
It's believed that the first tuxedo jacket was worn by the Prince of Wales in the mid-1860s. The Prince of Wales was known for its unique style. With the help of a personal tailor, he procured a formal suit jacket featuring the same formal style as those found in modern-day tuxedo suit jackets. Just a few years later, King Edward VII began wearing a tuxedo jacket as well. Nonetheless, historians attribute the Prince of Wales as being the pioneer of the modern-day tuxedo jacket.
#2) Traditionally Worn During the Evenings
Tuxedos have been traditionally worn during the evenings. In the past, they were used primarily for formal events occurring after 6 p.m. Evening events, of course, are usually more formal than daytime and morning events. From weddings and black-tie dinners to graduations and more, most formal events are held during the evening. Therefore, tuxedos have been traditionally worn during the evenings.
You can still wear a tuxedo during other times of the day. There's no rule stating that you only wear them during the evenings; tuxedos are simply known for their evening usage. They were originally worn during the evenings, so they've become known as being formal evening wear for men.
#3) Named After 'Tuxedo Park'
You might be surprised to learn that tuxedos receive their namesake from a small town in the state of New York. Known as Tuxedo Park, it was home to a private hunting and fishing club during the 1800s. Back then, members of the club would gather for formal events while wearing tuxedos. This eventually led to tuxedos being called "tuxedos." Prior to this time, tuxedos were called dinner suits.
Today, tuxedos are still called "tuxedos" in the United States. They are often referred to as dinner suits on the other side of the pond (in the United Kingdom). But thanks to the small club in Tuxedo Park, New York, they are now known as "tuxedos" in the United States.
#4) Satin-Covered Lapels
Some men assume that tuxedos are the same as suits. After all, tuxedos and suits both consist of a formal jacket and a pair of matching trousers. While similar, though, they are two unique types of men's formalwear. One of the main differences between them is that traditional suits have standard lapels without any additional fabric, whereas tuxedos have satin-covered lapels.
Both traditional suits and tuxedos have lapels. Lapels are the folded sections of fabric around the collar and front opening of a jacket. If you inspect the lapels on a tuxedo, however, you'll notice they have a thin layer of satin. Satin-covered lapels are one of the features that distinguish tuxedo jackets from traditional suit jackets.
While most tuxedos have satin-covered lapels, you can find them in a variety of lapel styles, including the following:
- Notched
- Peak
- Shawl
#5) May or May Not Have Belt Loops
Contrary to popular belief, not all tuxedo trousers have belt loops. While belt loops are a common feature with many trousers, including traditional suit trousers, you won't find them on all tuxedo trousers. Many tuxedo trousers are designed without any belt loops around the waistline.
If you choose a pair of tuxedo trousers without belt loops, you'll need to make sure they fit. A pair of oversized tuxedo trousers will likely fall from your waist. And without a belt, you may struggle to keep them up. Of course, you can always accessorize your tuxedo trousers with suspenders. Suspenders will support your tuxedo trousers to your shoulders via a pair of straps. Nonetheless, it's always a good idea to choose a pair of tuxedo trousers in the right size for your body.
#6) Accessorized With a Bow Tie
Most tuxedos are accessorized with a bow tie. As you may know, bow ties consist of a ribbon fabric that's worn around the collar of a dress shirt. You can wear a tuxedo with a bow tie to create a more cohesive and attractive style. It will introduce new colors that complement your tuxedo, resulting in a higher level of aesthetics.
If you're wearing a traditional suit, you can accessorize it with a necktie. Neckties are less formal than bow ties. Neckties are still worn around the collar of a dress shirt. The difference is that bow ties consist of a ribbon fabric, whereas neckties consist of a long and vertical piece of fabric. The way in which they are tied also varies. Nonetheless, if you're planning to wear a tuxedo, you should consider accessorizing it with a bow tie rather than a necktie. Neckties are generally used for traditional suits, whereas bow ties are designed for tuxedos.
#7) Available in a Variety of Fabrics
You can find tuxedos available in a variety of fabrics. Cotton is one of the most common fabrics in which they are made. Cotton tuxedos are soft and easy to maintain. At the same time, they often cost less than tuxedos made of other fabrics.
In addition to cotton, some tuxedos are made of linen. Linen is lighter and, therefore, cooler than cotton. With these properties, linen tuxedoes are often preferred for the hot summer months. Other common fabrics in which tuxedos are made include wool, corduroy and terry rayon.
These are just a few fun facts about tuxedos. If you're thinking about buying a tuxedo, consider ordering it from StudioSuits. We offer a large selection of high-quality tuxedos, all of which come with custom sizing at no additional charge.
