Hey, what's the difference between a suit and a tuxedo?
So I've seen this question come up several times, and each time I thought, "hey, I can answer that!" but then realized that actually, I wasn't really sure. So, I did what any not-very-sensible person would do and commenced a Vast Internet Research Project* to figure this out. After wasting several hours of my life that I will assuredly never get back, I am now a PhD in Tuxedology and so I felt obliged to share my knowledge with you.
A word you're going to see a lot as I describe what makes a tuxedo is "traditionally." That's because tradition and men's fashion conventions are the only things that define tuxedos. They do not have a very strict definition, and have evolved quite a bit since they came into fashion in the late 1800s. You will find tuxedos that break some or all of the "rules," especially now as men's fashion becomes more flexible.
That said, here are some of the common features of a tuxedo:
- The most common feature that fashion experts agree on is the lapel facing on a tuxedo is made of satin. On a suit, the lapel facing is made of the same fabric as the rest of the suit.
- Traditionally, there is also a stripe of satin down the leg of the pants.
- Most tuxedos have a pointed (or sometimes shawl) lapel, although more recently this is an element which has become very flexible.
- Most tuxedos have a single button, but like the pointed lapel this has been changing up quite a bit.
- The leg of some suit pants are cuffed, tuxedo pants do not have cuffs.
- Tuxedos are traditionally worn with a vest or cummerbund. Patent leather shoes are also typically worn.
- Tuxedos are worn with the pleated front shirt, designed to be worn with a bow-tie, although this is another convention which is more recently being set aside.
There are a few other things that were mentioned in some places, but not others, as being elements of a tuxedo, but these seem to be the most central features. It's worth noting that the suit a man wears for a "white tie" occasion is not a tuxedo. Tuxedos were first introduced as a less formal evening alternative to a tail coat, and white tie has its own, entirely different, set of rules. It's also not the same as a stroller, or a morning suit, which are types of formal wear worn for events that occur before 6pm.
I am full of suit trivia! Ask me your questions if you have any.
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*Also known as reading pages and pages of Google results during a bout of insomnia.
A word you're going to see a lot as I describe what makes a tuxedo is "traditionally." That's because tradition and men's fashion conventions are the only things that define tuxedos. They do not have a very strict definition, and have evolved quite a bit since they came into fashion in the late 1800s. You will find tuxedos that break some or all of the "rules," especially now as men's fashion becomes more flexible.
That said, here are some of the common features of a tuxedo:
- The most common feature that fashion experts agree on is the lapel facing on a tuxedo is made of satin. On a suit, the lapel facing is made of the same fabric as the rest of the suit.
- Traditionally, there is also a stripe of satin down the leg of the pants.
- Most tuxedos have a pointed (or sometimes shawl) lapel, although more recently this is an element which has become very flexible.
- Most tuxedos have a single button, but like the pointed lapel this has been changing up quite a bit.
- The leg of some suit pants are cuffed, tuxedo pants do not have cuffs.
- Tuxedos are traditionally worn with a vest or cummerbund. Patent leather shoes are also typically worn.
- Tuxedos are worn with the pleated front shirt, designed to be worn with a bow-tie, although this is another convention which is more recently being set aside.
There are a few other things that were mentioned in some places, but not others, as being elements of a tuxedo, but these seem to be the most central features. It's worth noting that the suit a man wears for a "white tie" occasion is not a tuxedo. Tuxedos were first introduced as a less formal evening alternative to a tail coat, and white tie has its own, entirely different, set of rules. It's also not the same as a stroller, or a morning suit, which are types of formal wear worn for events that occur before 6pm.
I am full of suit trivia! Ask me your questions if you have any.
-----------------------------------------
*Also known as reading pages and pages of Google results during a bout of insomnia.