I was just notified that I'm going to a "ball" in a couple of weeks but I don't own a tuxedo. I'd prefer to find a nice tuxedo on sale, however, as a 38L, I will not be able to find one. Very few nice brands that I could find off the rack will fit me (Ralph Lauren Black Label and Purple Label), but at retail prices of $2300+ and $4000+, they are much higher than what I'd like to spend on a tuxedo that I'd very rarely wear. I don't have enough time to have one made for me either, so that is out of the question. I will not be renting either. In the end, I don't care that much about what I'm wearing to this ball to the point of spending a ton of money, but I'd like to do something appropriate.
That being said, there are only two somewhat viable options in my current wardrobe that I think could possibly pass:
A. Midnight navy, notch lapel suit with roped shoulders (inspired by Vox's post about formal wear here: Vox Link)
B. Black velvet, notch lapel sport coat with roped shoulders paired with a dark grey/charcoal flannel trousers. Unfortunately, this is also notch lapel, but it's what I have to work with.
I'm thinking something similar to this but with black instead of navy, better sleeve length, and better pant length:
With both of these, I plan to at least wear a black grosgrain bow-tie and white shirt. I don't like french cuffs, so I don't even own any white french cuff shirts, let alone a tuxedo appropriate shirt. Should I buy one? Are the studs necessary? Cummerbund as well? What's my best route to take with all of this?
Edited by Superfluous - 2/4/13 at 5:06pm
That being said, there are only two somewhat viable options in my current wardrobe that I think could possibly pass:
A. Midnight navy, notch lapel suit with roped shoulders (inspired by Vox's post about formal wear here: Vox Link)
Quote:
From his post: "If you wear really nice shoes, a black bow tie, and a black cummerbund with a turndown medium spread white shirt [even with barrel cuffs] and a black two piece two button single breasted suit; 99% of the world, and probably all of your friends, will assume you are wearing a tuxedo, because it will look correct even with the notch lapels."
B. Black velvet, notch lapel sport coat with roped shoulders paired with a dark grey/charcoal flannel trousers. Unfortunately, this is also notch lapel, but it's what I have to work with.
I'm thinking something similar to this but with black instead of navy, better sleeve length, and better pant length:
With both of these, I plan to at least wear a black grosgrain bow-tie and white shirt. I don't like french cuffs, so I don't even own any white french cuff shirts, let alone a tuxedo appropriate shirt. Should I buy one? Are the studs necessary? Cummerbund as well? What's my best route to take with all of this?
Edited by Superfluous - 2/4/13 at 5:06pm
