Looking to purchase a tuxedo

[TheTraditionalist43]

Hey everyone, I wanted to know and get input on purchasing a tuxedo. I’m looking to go for the traditional Ivy/Prep look. If you guys can provide me with any knowledge, tips, and pointers of where to buy and what the whole ensemble from the tux to shoes would entail, I would greatly appreciate it! Looking forward to your reading your responses!

 

[comrade]

For very Ivy Notch Lapel ( like mine from the '60s) O'Connells, and Ben Silver.
J.Press and the Andover Shop have peak and or shawl lapels.Brooks Bros are cheaper
but I am not sure they are truly natural shoulder. Paul Stuart, most expensive probably
not a true natural shoulder. Her'e a top of the line vintage Oxxford Tux on eBay. Also,
a very trad one from Paul Stuart on the same site.

VTG 44 R Oxxford Clothes 1 Button Black Faille Lapel Wool 2pc Tuxedo Made USA | eBay

Faille / Grosgrain Lapel. Drapery Waist. Material : 100 % Wool. Full Canvas Design. Size : 44 R / 38 W. Color Way : Black. Vents : Single. Lining Color : Black.

www.ebay.com

 

[Mute]

You already got a few good suggestions. An estimated budget will help in providing more relevant feedback.

 

[TheTraditionalist43]

You already got a few good suggestions. An estimated budget will help in providing more relevant feedback.

Budget really isn’t much of an issue!

 

[acconrad]

Please don't get a notch lapel tuxedo. Tuxes are trad by nature, so they have certain features that distinguish them from suits (not using notch lapels is one of them). I'd check the Black Tie thread and read through the Black Tie Guide (google it). If you want to have a Ivy/Prep nod in terms of fit (rather than details, which are consistent across brands if you get a proper tux), you could just buy a tux from Brooks Brothers, JPress, etc.

 

[Mute]

Budget really isn’t much of an issue!

That being the case, Paul Stuart and Ralph Lauren have some very nice and classic dinner suits. I would stick with peak or shawl lapel as those are more in line with tradtional black tie. Make sure you get a good shirt (marcella bib or pleated is your choice) with french cuffs. You'll also need either a vest or a cumberbund. Lastly for shoes, opera pumps or patent leather are the traditional choices, but a plain oxford in calf that's highly polished will suffice and can be used for other purposes outside of black tie affairs.

 

[gimpwiz]

Whole entire black tie thread on this forum. Recommend reading at least the most recent few pages where people go over some of the summaries.

If budget isn't an issue, RLPL makes a killer one, so does The Armoury. Or go bespoke if you also have some months to spend and are happy with the risk entailed.

 

[comrade]

Here is an "aspirational" Tux from Caraceni. So if you go the bespoke route….

 

[comrade]

To add a touch of insouciance to the formal style, an ecru silk pleated
shirt could be in order. Mine, purchased with my tux decades ago, no longer
fits. Nor was I able to find one the last time I wore the tux.

 

[gimpwiz]

Here is an "aspirational" Tux from Caraceni. So if you go the bespoke route….
View attachment 2091691

Maybe for some, but definitely not for me. If you own only one... not that one, I think.