Your opinion on this tuxedo

[jc4jax]

Hello all, I am a college student who is looking to buy his first formal dinner jacket. I have several weddings to attend to early next year and figure I should buy one rather than rent. My budget is limited and in just browsing around I came across this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Calvin-Klein-Tux...item950326dd2e
However I am dubious to buying clothes on Ebay. I welcome any opinions and recommendations from the members as I am new to the sartorial scene, thank you.

 

[makewayhomer]

2 button, notch lapels = far from classically styled

blacktieguide.com

 

[Harold falcon]

Hell no.

Edit - Don't give up on ebay or the B&S forum, there are deals to be had. But this one is wrong on many levels. Follow Makewayhomer's advice and check out what you should actually be looking for.

 

[Ianiceman]

If you want any applause from this board you will need either a shawl collar or peak lapels.

And for the love of God, a black bow tie, no long tie.

 

[Captain Winky]

To me, the benchmarks for Tuexes are $250 and $1,000: you can always get an appropriate Jos. A Bank tux for $250 and an appropriate Brooks Bros. one for $1,000. My advice: pick the one you are closest to, order it, and wait to alter it. You can then look for nicer stuff on sale and also see if the one you bought drops in price. Both stores have pretty good return policies. Two or three weeks before the first event, have the alterations done.

As others have mentioned, you'll want a one-button (unless doing double breasted, which I wouldn't recommend with only one tux jacket) and either a shawl collar or peak lapel. I prefer flat front trousers, but others here like pleats. Make sure to get a pair of braces with button attachments, not clips and try and avoid pre-tied bow ties. I don't personally wear a cummerbund or vest (others here do and have chided me for my lack of accessories). Lastly, a pair of very plain black lace-up dress shoes, polished to their utmost shine are required. I wouldn't waste money on patent leather at this point because not only are you on a budget, but I think it's ugly.

 

[cioni2k]

That things atrocious. Find one that's 1 button. Peak lapel

 

[garymyman]

I agree that peak lapel looks a lot more elegant, but I think you could get a lot more millage out of a single button notch lapel jacket. I've been in 3 weddings where the groomsmen were to wear notch lapel jackets from a rental place and owning my Jos A Bank ($199) tux I was able to avoid all that. But to answer you original question: that's a horrible deal. Hell, I was THIS close to pulling the trigger on a navy Zegna peak lapel tux on the B&S forum for less than that.

Best of luck

 

[acecow]

How about that guy who sells tuxes and suits on ebay? The one that supposedly gets rave reviews from tailors and the like. Search for Baroni, I think. And he has a slimmer line called M Valentini or something else, I really can't recall. I don't know the quality of his products, but many claim his suits and tuxes to be of excellent quality for the price point.

 

[munirkhamker]

Originally Posted by makewayhomer

2 button, notch lapels = far from classically styled

blacktieguide.com

hello,

since this is your first go for the classic one button tux. shawl collar would be nice with off course wing collar shirt and bow. cummerband will look elegant. you can wear it with or without cummerband.

regards,
munir

 

[munirkhamker]

Originally Posted by Captain Winky

To me, the benchmarks for Tuexes are $250 and $1,000: you can always get an appropriate Jos. A Bank tux for $250 and an appropriate Brooks Bros. one for $1,000. My advice: pick the one you are closest to, order it, and wait to alter it. You can then look for nicer stuff on sale and also see if the one you bought drops in price. Both stores have pretty good return policies. Two or three weeks before the first event, have the alterations done.

As others have mentioned, you'll want a one-button (unless doing double breasted, which I wouldn't recommend with only one tux jacket) and either a shawl collar or peak lapel. I prefer flat front trousers, but others here like pleats. Make sure to get a pair of braces with button attachments, not clips and try and avoid pre-tied bow ties. I don't personally wear a cummerbund or vest (others here do and have chided me for my lack of accessories). Lastly, a pair of very plain black lace-up dress shoes, polished to their utmost shine are required. I wouldn't waste money on patent leather at this point because not only are you on a budget, but I think it's ugly.
you have mentioned - "avoid pre-tied bow ties". can you please tell what is the other one called and how it is tied. any vedios to help? thanks, munir

 

[Michael Ay329]

I would not purchase the one posted by the OP

Look for:
Single button peak lapel...a nice shawl lapel is tough to find depending on its size and your proportions....and the better ones are DB jackets. Thus stick with Peak as there is a wider selection of them

Matching black vest (no cumberbun or flashy bright silk vest)

Cloth should ONLY be black barathea (10-14oz) depending on your heat tolerance (I got 14oz)

A black bow tie is a lot nicer than a black tie.

I would not go for the winged collard shirt.

A nice white poplin spread collar shirt with french cuffs is appropriate and available everywhere.

 

[BLU8]

Originally Posted by munirkhamker

you have mentioned - "avoid pre-tied bow ties". can you please tell what is the other one called and how it is tied. any vedios to help?

thanks,
munir

The other type of bow tie is "self-tie". This video is how I learned to tie a bow tie: