Our guide to picking the perfect tuxedo shirt for your black tie event. From front to fabric to collar style, we break down the details to help you look yourbest in black tie.
The Plain Front Tuxedo Shirt
The French placket and removable button strip makes this the cleanest and most versatile option. Swap the buttons for studs with a tux, or leave them in for a sharp look under a suit in a pinch.
As the plain front is on the less formal end of the tuxedo shirt spectrum, it can be worn easily with or without French cuffs, and the plain front’s clean look gives it a modern appeal that is a great choice with contemporary slim-lapelled jackets. If you prefer wearing a straight tie to a bow tie at formal events, this is your best bet.
The Pleated Front Tuxedo Shirt
A traditional tuxedo shirt style that looks fantastic with a shawl collar or notch lapel tux — think Sean Connery as Bond. Slightly less formal than a pique front.
Distinctive yet conservative, the pleated front can work in just about any formalwear setting, though you’ll want to leave your straight tie at home. The 1/2" pleats are an ideal width—classic, not busy or ruffly.
The Pique Bib Front Tuxedo Shirt
The most formal choice for a tuxedo shirt. Pique front shirts are timeless for how clean the bib lays underneath a jacket, and our bib, made from a luxurious Thomas Mason Marcella pique fabric, is absolutely perfect.
You'll want to go with French cuffs and a nice set of studs with a pique bib. The pique bib front looks best with a peak or shawl lapel jacket, and we suggest it for any event labeled white tie.
Fabric Choices
Certain fabrics work better than others in formal contexts. Generally, we suggest solid white twills and broadcloths for tuxedo shirts.
Twills are more opaque and have more shine than broadcloths, lending them a more formal appeal. Twills also drape better under tuxedo jackets. Broadcloths feel smoother and more modern, but are generally more sheer than twills. For a textured look, Royal Oxfords and Jacquards are also fair game.
Collar Styles
We prefer a spread (but not cutaway) collar on our tuxedo shirts. The President and English Spread are perfect.
Unless you're going to an ultra-fancy white tie event, which calls for a traditional wingtip.
Wingtip Collar
President Spread
Cutaway Collars
English Spread
Cuff Styles
Formal events require French cuffs. Square and rounded French cuffs are both appropriate. They are equally formal so choose whichever style suits you best.
Save the barrel cuffs for your weekly business or casual looks.
Bow Tie The key here is consistency with your tuxedo lapels. Opt for a black satin bow tie if your tuxedo lapels are satin, or black grosgrain if your lapels are grosgrain.
Pocket Square No need to reinvent the wheel: white pocket square. Done. We love the texture and crispness of a cotton and linen blend, but pure linen or pure cotton also do just fine.
Studs A critical detail that goes a long way. Black onyx or mother of pearl studs are the standard. We find black onyx to be the most timeless and versatile.
I'm a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of men's formalwear and tuxedo etiquette, with a wealth of firsthand expertise in choosing the perfect ensemble for black tie events. My knowledge extends from the nuances of tuxedo shirt styles to fabric choices, collar preferences, and the finishing touches that complete a sophisticated look.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about picking the perfect tuxedo shirt:
Plain Front Tuxedo Shirt:
Features a French placket and removable button strip.
Clean and versatile, suitable for both formal and semi-formal occasions.
Can be worn with or without French cuffs.
Modern appeal, making it an excellent choice with contemporary slim-lapelled jackets.
Ideal for those who prefer a straight tie over a bow tie at formal events.
Pleated Front Tuxedo Shirt:
Traditional style, looks fantastic with a shawl collar or notch lapel tux.
Slightly less formal than a pique front.
Distinctive yet conservative, suitable for various formalwear settings.
1/2" pleats provide a classic and refined look.
Not recommended for wearing with a straight tie.
Pique Bib Front Tuxedo Shirt:
The most formal choice for a tuxedo shirt.
Timeless for the clean lay of the bib underneath a jacket.
Best paired with French cuffs and studs.
Recommended for events labeled white tie.
Matches well with peak or shawl lapel jackets.
Fabric Choices:
Solid white twills and broadcloths are recommended for tuxedo shirts.
Twills are more opaque and have more shine, offering a formal appeal.
Broadcloths feel smoother and more modern but are generally more sheer.
Royal Oxfords and Jacquards are suggested for a textured look.
Collar Styles:
Prefer a spread collar (not cutaway) on tuxedo shirts.
President and English Spread collars are ideal, except for ultra-fancy white tie events that call for a traditional wingtip.
Cuff Styles:
French cuffs are a must for formal events.
Rounded and square French cuffs are equally appropriate.
Barrel cuffs are recommended for business or casual looks.
Finishing Touches:
Bow Tie: Opt for consistency with tuxedo lapels (satin or grosgrain).
Pocket Square: A white pocket square is a classic choice, with texture preferences like cotton and linen blend.
Studs: Black onyx or mother of pearl studs are standard and timeless.
Feel free to ask if you have specific questions or if there's more you'd like to explore in the realm of men's formal fashion!
Generally, we suggest solid white twills and broadcloths for tuxedo shirts. Twills are more opaque and have more shine than broadcloths, lending them a more formal appeal. Twills also drape better under tuxedo jackets. Broadcloths feel smoother and more modern, but are generally more sheer than twills.
Traditionally there was only one way you'd wear a tuxedo: with a classic white dress shirt, black silk bow tie and patent leather shoes. But these days there are a few ways you can mix it up, which, depending on how definite the dress code is, can lend a more contemporary edge to the iconic suit.
A tuxedo shirt is quite simply a more elegant style of dress shirt that is meant to be worn with your most formal attire, such as (you guessed it), your tuxedo. Tuxedo shirts are not meant to be worn casually or with your traditional suits in an office setting.
Q: Does my shirt need to have a pleated bib shirt or wing tip collar to wear with my tux? A: No, but pleated bibs and wing tips make for a polished, classic look. Q: How should a tuxedo shirt fit? A: Two fingers should fit comfortably between your neck and the shirt collar.
Designed especially for a formal occasion, the tuxedo's fabric needs to feel comfortable and look glamorous. The best choice for this is a fabric with a faille weave, which has a distinct cross-ribbing that gives the cloth a silky look.
The best fabrics for t-shirts include cotton, polyester, and cotton/polyester blends. Cotton t-shirt fabric is soft, comfortable, biodegradable, and easy to print on. On the other hand, it takes a long time to dry and shrinks in the wash. Polyester t-shirt fabric dries quickly, resists wrinkles, and stays durable.
Many men wonder whether they need an undershirt with their suit. An undershirt is more than just an article of clothing; it enhances comfort, absorbs sweat, and increases the lifespan of your shirts. It will protect your expensive clothing, providing a defensive layer between your body and your dress shirt.
A quick reminder about formal wear: generally, an outfit isn't complete without tuxedo shirt studs for Black Tie and White tie dress codes. Studs are worn on all formal occasions and should only be worn with tuxedos, not suits. Keep in mind, not all tuxedo shirts can accommodate studs, so choose wisely.
Remember, that a tuxedo (and it includes the trousers with the satin trim) will always look more formal; after all, it's a suit. If you want to avoid the cliche of a black tie attire outfit then try a tonal look by wearing a tone in tone shirt / tux combo but stick with dark colors, preferably black or navy blue.
No Bib Front: Unlike a tuxedo shirt, a dress shirt does not have a bib front. Instead, the buttons are exposed and the front of the shirt is flat. Barrel Cuffs: Dress shirts typically have barrel cuffs, which are cuffs that are fastened with buttons. While cufflinks can be worn with dress shirts, they are not required.
2. Pleated Front Tuxedo Shirts. The pleated front is probably the type of shirt most associated with a formal tuxedo, worn with a bow tie. It features panels of pleated fabric to each side of the button front, with pleats usually about 1/2-inch wide.
The classic tuxedo shirt style features a bib. Most common is the pleated bib which has vertical pleats, flanking the placket. The most formal and traditional option is the pique bib - a panel of fabric that adds a layer of sophistication and elegance.
The cumme*rbund was fundamentally a girdle, the cumme*rbund wants to give uplift. The cumme*rbund is a relatively recent addition to the evening-clothes. Wearing a cumme*rbund is not necessary and the only time it should be worn is with a single-breasted tuxedo.
Suitable for only the most formal occasions – especially when wearing a dinner suit – the wing collar shirt is the perfect choice for a black tie event. Other collar styles are certainly deemed appropriate, however the wing collar offers a touch of individuality and shows you're a man who refuses to follow the crowd.
Historically it would only be the top three buttons, but in the last few decades, it's become more normal for a tuxedo shirt to accommodate four studs. Some are bothered by the result that this leaves at least one, if not two normal buttons showing above the belt, but keep in mind this is totally normal.
A classic tuxedo usually comes with a structured surface along with a beautiful and luxurious lustre. The best way to achieve this is using a very special wool fabric called 'Barathea wool'. This wool is only produced by the best mills in the world, often found in Italy and Great Britain.
Classic suit fabrics are wool for all seasons, cotton or linen for warm weather, and cashmere for luxury. Dress shirts are often cotton poplin or twill, with silk for dressy looks and linen for hot days.
The best dress shirts are always 100% cotton, not a blend of fabrics. Polyester is a man-made synthetic fiber that we're seeing in more and more dress shirts.
It's wrinkle-resistant, quick-drying, and retains shape even after frequent wear and washing. Its stretch and form-fitting properties make it a top pick for activewear, like yoga shirts, leggings, sports bras, and athletic shirts.
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Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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