The good news is that the best friend is finally getting married; the better news is that he’s decided to wear a suit for his wedding reception. Personally, I think this is better news than him actually tying the knot. I somehow imagined that he would be in his cargos on D-day.
So, the shopping for the suit began, and I was trying hard to impress upon him that he should wear a three-piece suit, or better still, a tux. I think he was ready to box my ears. So, what really is the difference between a suit and a tux?
Let’s go back to 1886. A certain Griswold Lorillard wore a tail-less jacket to a country club ball hosted at Tuxedo Park, New York. Although he got thrown out of the party, his jacket started a new trend with people bored of tail coats. Today, the tuxedo is considered one of the most formal attires in evening wear.
A tuxedo is better known as a dinner suit in England.
A tuxedo is more formal than a suit and is expected to be worn at black-tie events, and always after 5 p.m. A suit can, however, be worn right through the day — sometimes, even as casual wear when worn without a tie, and in a lighter fabric.
When you wear a tuxedo, you send out a message that the moment is special, apart from occasions where you just want to dress up and look good.
Some of the basic differences are:
Colour: Tuxedos are made in black or midnight blue. Suits are made in almost any colour these days.
Pockets: Tuxedo jackets have jetted pockets while suits have flapped pockets.
Pocket square: When using a pocket square with a tux, it must be plain white. You can use pop colours and prints in a pocket square worn with a suit.
Shoes: Always wear patent leather slip-ins with a tuxedo. Leather shoes go with a suit.
Lapel: Tuxedos lapels are shawl or peaked style, and made with satin or a different weave from the rest of the suit. Suit lapels vary from peaked and notched to shawl, and are made from the same fabric.
Trouser: The tuxedo trouser always has a braid by the side of the leg to match the jacket lapel. It is made without belt loops because the waist is always covered, and if need be, worn with suspenders.
Shirt: Suits are worn with casual or button-down collared shirts. A tuxedo must be worn with a white button-up shirt with studs.
Neckwear: Suits are worn with ties, bowties or plain. Tuxedos are to be worn with bow ties, waistcoats or cummerbunds.
Suits are flexible
With a suit, you can play around, either dressing it up or down, depending on the occasion, and opt for a variety of colours. With a tuxedo, there’s not much you can change, and the waist must always be covered.
Tuxedos cost more than a suit
Tuxedos are made from high-quality fabric and are fitted according to the individual. The fabrics for suits can range from being very expensive to inexpensive.
(Send your queries to staystylish24x7@gmail.com)
Sulakshana Badani is an image consultant
