tuxedo

A tuxedo isn't just any suit; it's the classic outfit for very formal events. Think James Bond, award shows, or a fancy wedding. It is usually black or midnight blue, though white dinner jackets also exist. What makes it different from a regular suit is the satin or grosgrain detail, especially on the lapels, and often a matching stripe down the side of the trousers. It is usually worn with a bow tie and may also come with a cummerbund or waistcoat.

The style began as a dinner jacket in Britain, but the name became popular in the United States after it was linked to Tuxedo Park, New York, in the late 19th century. So when you hear "black tie," this is often the outfit people have in mind.

A tuxedo is a formal evening suit traditionally worn by men for black-tie events. While the term is often used synonymously with "black tie," there are specific stylistic distinctions that set it apart. A true tuxedo isn't defined just by its color, but by its refined details. Key features include satin or grosgrain lapels (usually in peak, notch, or shawl styles), covered buttons, and a matching satin stripe running down the outer seam of the trousers.

Historically, the style grew out of the dinner jacket, which appeared as a less formal alternative to the tailcoat for evening social events. In the United States, it became strongly associated with Tuxedo Park, New York, in the late 1800s, and that is where the name came from.

Today, while black remains the most classic color, modern tuxedos are frequently found in midnight blue or even white (the latter being particularly popular for summer weddings or tropical locales). They are almost always paired with a crisp white dress shirt—featuring either a wing or turndown collar—a black bow tie, a cummerbund or waistcoat, and polished black patent leather shoes.

The term is sometimes used loosely to describe any very formal suit, but more careful speakers use it for a suit with these special details. Whether you're attending a gala, a formal wedding, or another evening event, it suggests elegance, ceremony, and a classic sense of style.