Knowing the differences between a tuxedo and a suit, and knowing when it is appropriate to wear each outfit, is essential for any man who wants to look his best at an upcoming wedding or social gathering.

There are two theories about the first tuxedo.

The tuxedo was invented by Pierre Lorillard IV of New York City according to one school of thought. However, some historians believe that the tuxedo was invented by King Edward VII.

British Origins
A resident of Tuxedo Park, James Brown Potter vacationed in England in the summer of 1886. Potter and his wife, Cora were introduced to the Prince of Wales {who later became King Edward VII} at a court ball in London. Potter asked the Prince for advice on formal dress. The Prince sent Potter to his own Saville Row tailor, Henry Poole & Co. Potter was fitted with a short black jacket and black tie that was unlike the formal tails with white tie that was worn in the United States for formal occasions. The new tailless formal wear was said to have been designed by the Prince of Wales. The Prince and his tailor drew inspiration from the British military uniforms of the time, which used short jackets with black ties.

Tuxedo Park, NY
Pierre Lorillard's family were wealthy tobacco magnates who owned country property in Tuxedo Park, just outside of New York City. At a formal ball, held at the Tuxedo Club in October 1886, the young Lorillard wore a new style of formal wear for men that he designed himself at a time when men only wore Tailcoats with white bowties. Lorillard had the tails removed from his Tailcoat and wore the Satin Lapel Dinner Jacket to the First Autumn Ball. He named his tailless black jacket the tuxedo after Tuxedo Park. The tuxedo caught on and became fashionable as formal wear for men.

This is where the two origins meet. James Brown Potter took the design back to the Tuxedo Club, where Pierre Lorillard modified it, named it, and made it popular during the Autumn ball.

Tuxedos suffered from a drop in popularity during the first World War. Then, a major rise in formal dress occurred in the '30s. Tuxes were, yet again, considered the preferred type of evening wear. White-tie was reserved for special occasions only.

Black wool tuxedos were the standard until the 1930s saw a major rise in the midnight blue tuxedo. By the time 1935 rolled around, more mills were making blue tuxedo wool than black. The double-breasted tuxes, which previously were considered very informal, exploded in popularity. People even began wearing white tuxedo jackets, primarily in warmer climates.

In the 1970s, disco saw a surge of wild-colored tuxes in pastel blues, pinks, greens, oranges and yellows in a variety of patterns and textures too. It certainly wasn't formal, but it was an instantly recognizable look. By the '80s, ruffled shirts, bell bottoms, and patterned tuxedo jackets were out of fashion. It was a colorful, bright moment for the tux.

In the 1980s, tuxes went back to their typical black and blue looks. This was favored even more throughout the 1990s and early '00s. During this time, tuxedos had grown to become more and more formal.

Innovation has carried the tuxedo from a single-breasted peak lapel style to many others including the always
appropriate notch lapel, the single and double breasted shawl collar, and the double breasted peak lapel. Tuxedos range from one to as many as four or five buttons with one being the most traditional.

Purchasing clothing on the web can be somewhat of a tricky. On the one hand, you do have a much greater selection to choose from than what you may find at nearby stores. All the same, you do not get the opportunity to actually try on clothes before buying them. Tuxedos are a fashionable item to buy online because you can get some excellent deals. If you decide to go down that path and purchase your tuxedo from the Internet, then here are a few things to take care of first.

Take Measurements

Purchasing a tuxedo is not like getting a t-shirt where you basically have to choose between small, medium or large. In order for the tux to fit appropriately, you will need to take a couple of measurements. The chest area, overarm, neck size, waist size, pant length and sleeve length are all necessary to get a well fitting tuxedo. In addition, you should have another individual take these measurements for you. A friend or loved one will be able to give you a far more accurate length, and you will not have to worry about accidentally measuring something incorrectly. To learn how to take the measurements properly, there are numerous resources available over the Internet but here is a link to the guidelines we follow.

Look Through Different Brands

As with many things, you shouldn't choose for the first thing you discover when trying to purchase a tuxedo online. To see what would be perfect for your specific needs, take plenty of time to browse through a store's entire collection. You may be able to save a great deal of cash by taking the time to see everything offered. If you do notice something you like, whether it is a superb design or a tuxedo being sold at a good price, then bookmark it and keep looking. Go back through anything you previously selected when you have looked at all the possible options and weighed the benefits and features of each item.

Look at a Store's Return / Exchange Policy

It is wise to look at the return policy regardless of what you are ordering. When shopping online with us at www.formalwearoutlet.com please be aware we do not offer money back refunds, but instead offer exchanges only. Pay attention to the details of any return or exchange policy to know how long you have to make any necessary exchanges. After you get the tux in the mail, you'll want to try it on right away and inspect it thoroughly so that if the fit or style is not what you expected, you can mail it back at once.

You need to be satisfied with your purchase and following these suggestions should help considerably. Purchasing a tuxedo online is an effective way to find brands and alternatives you may not be able to find at local businesses. In most cases, buying a tuxedo instead of renting one can save you money in the long run if you will be wearing it with some frequency. The right tuxedo is out there waiting for you, so start searching today to see what you discover to make you look fantastic.

Whether you are getting yourself ready for prom or your wedding day and you are unable to visit our store in person we hope you will consider choosing a tuxedo from Formalwear Outlet by visiting our web page, http://formalwearoutlet.com/.

When buying a Tuxedo or Suit it is important to accurately determine your sizes to get the best fit. It is not like getting a t-shirt where you basically have to choose between small, medium or large. If you are unable to come in to our store to try on your tuxedo please use these guidelines to choose your sizes. To learn how to take the measurements properly, we've put together this resource. Measuring the chest area, overarm, neck size, waist size, pant length and sleeve length are all necessary to get a well fitting tuxedo. In addition, you should have another individual take these measurements for you. A friend or loved one will be able to give you a far more accurate length, and you will not have to worry about accidentally measuring something incorrectly. Make sure that the person measuring you holds the tape measure straight and tight. When in doubt please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.

When possible you may want to consider visiting a Men’s Formal Wear store in your area and request a courtesy measurement to ensure accuracy of measurements. For assistance finding an independent Men’s Formal Wear store in your area visit TuxedoFit.com. For your convenience we have also provide these measuring guidelines that you can follow to determine your sizes.

Please keep in mind the fit of a Tuxedo may vary slightly from one Designer to another and depend on whether the style is a Classic, Modern or Slim Fit. Please be advised we use the guidelines everyday to correctly fit tuxedos. Occasionally alterations will be necessary to get a more tailored fit.


1) To determine the Jacket size 3 measurements are typically taken in to account - Chest Size, Overarm and Height.

1a) Chest Size
Place measuring tape under arms and measure around the broadest part of the chest, just under the arm pits.
Arms should be relaxed at the side. For a traditional fit you will add 2 to this number and you will have your Jacket size.
For example a 38″ chest measurement would require a 40 Jacket. For a more fitted style you may choose the chest measurement without the addition of 2 inches.



1b) Overarm
With arms down to the side, place measuring tape around the broadest part of the chest and shoulders making sure to keep the tape measure level. This measurement is especially necessary to determine jacket size for someone who is particularly broad shouldered.
Subtract 7 from this number to assist in determining Jacket size.
For example 47″ Overarm minus 7 is a size 40 Jacket.

For a broad shouldered man use the Overarm measurement first in determining Jacket size


1c) Jacket Length
Jacket lengths range from Short, Regular, Long, and Extra Long.
The following list shows height ranges that generally coincide with the appropriate length jacket.
Keep in mind some people have a longer torso, and others have longer legs. These may cause variations
in the necessary jacket length. Also, be aware that some jacket lengths may vary depending on style and designer.

Short 5’0 – 5’8
Regular 5’8 – 5’11
Long 6’0 – 6’4
Extra Long 6’4 +

2) To determine the Shirt size you should measure the Neck size and Sleeve Length

2a) Neck Size

Measure around the neck where a shirt’s collar would be buttoned.
Measure with one to two fingers between the tape measure and the neck to determine the neck size for the tuxedo shirt or you
can measure as we have without any fingers in between the neck and tape measure and add 1/2″ to the measured size.
The Shirt size for the example shown would be 16″


Small fits a 14″ – 14 1/2″ Neck Size
Medium fits 15″ – 15 1/2″ Neck Size
Large fits 16″ – 16 1/2″ Neck Size
X-Large fits 17″ – 17 1/2″ Neck Size
2XL fits 18″ – 18 1/2″ Neck Size

2b) Sleeve Length

Place the tape measure at the base of the neck centered on the spine.


Tape measure must go from the center back over the top of the shoulder, down to the point of the elbow and then down the arm to approximately one inch past the wrist bone. It is best to measure a little longer than shorter if you are between sizes.


Sleeve Lengths come in sizes 30/31, 32/33, 34/35, 36/37 and 38/39. The taller the person the longer the sleeve will likely be.

3) Pant size

3a) Waist Size

Wrap a tape measure over a shirt around your waist at the height you usually wear dress slacks. Tuxedo pants are made to be worn at the natural waist (your navel). Keep one finger between tape and body. You do not want these pants to be baggy in the waist or length.

FYI: Many of the tuxedo pants that we offer are adjustable in the waist between 3 sizes at set intervals (27″-29″, 30″-32″, 33″-35″, 36″ – 38″, etc.) however, some styles come as a fixed waist size only.


3b) Pant Length
Measure your outseam from the top of the waist band to the bottom of the hem on a pair of dress slacks or pants that fit you well.


You will be looking for the length that allows for a slight break on the top of the shoe and for the pants to stop just above the heel in the back. As you can see the measurement here is 42 inches.


**Keep in mind some tuxedos that we offer may come with pants that have been hemmed and we make sure there is adequate length in the pants selected for you, however upon receipt of your Tuxedo you will most likely need to have your pants tailored to shorten or lengthen the hem to be the right length for you. Other styles may come with pants that are long and unhemmed and you will have them hemmed to your specific length once you have confirmed the tuxedo you have selected is the size that fits you best.

Do keep in mind All measurements should be taken in inches as shown.

When Is a Tuxedo The Appropriate Choice for an Event?

When giving thought to dapper, iconic icons, James Bond comes to mind. With his debonair looks, this sophisticated super spy donned perfectly fitted tuxedos for most of his films. That iconic image brings with it associations of confidence, strength, and elegance, all labels anyone would be delighted to have applied to them. The right tuxedo can have this impact on any wearer, and there are a range of tuxedos for sale ideal for any event that can be custom fitted to your body for a look that just can’t be perfected with a rental. But which events are appropriate for a tuxedo? 

What Are the Differences Between a Suit and a Tuxedo?

There are several physical differences between the two, where a tuxedo, traditionally would have satin on the lapel fronts and button covers with a satin stripe down the sides of the pants and then a suit would be of the same fabric with no outstanding elements in the design. You can also find differences in the types of accessories worn; a tuxedo is typically worn with a bow tie and a cummerbund or perhaps a vest and long tie. A suit is normally worn with a long tie and does not require a vest. Tuxedos are typically worn with a shiny patent leather style shoe as opposed to a more informal matte shoe worn with a suit. Read more about the differences between suits and tuxedos here.

When Do You Wear a Tuxedo?

Weddings, proms, stage performance along with other formal events is where a tuxedo will usually be worn. The main reason for wearing a tuxedo to an event is to show that the event is so special that you need to wear clothing that is reserved for special occasions. For these types of special occasions, many men would rather rent a tuxedo rather than buy one but you may want to consider the latter and have it customized so you look your very best.

What Styles Are Available?

Style variations are available in the color, lapel style, and contrasting fabric (that silk trim already mentioned). The more traditional tuxedo will be a black color but these days tuxedos in other colors are becoming more popular depending on the occasion. One popular choice is a tuxedo in midnight blue which for some is as classic as a white dinner jacket. A notched or peaked lapel may be more traditional however the shawl style is becoming more and more popular with no notches or peaks, only a straight line from the bottom to the top.

How Do I Choose?

Tuxedo buying can be a stress filled experience. Given that tuxedos are not worn often, the average shopper doesn’t necessarily know what to look for. Even James Bond has a personal preference of midnight blue for his tuxedos then again black seems to be a safe color choice for people who find themselves unsure of what color to go with. If well executed, any color may be striking but nevertheless risky. The peaked lapel is regarded as the most traditional option of the three, with a notched lapel resembling a suit lapel and the shawl lapel being a bit more fashion forward. Fashion accessories can safely be matched to any tuxedo color, or they can be matched to the color theme of the celebration you are attending, like the colors of a wedding, or red for Valentine’s Day. When it really comes down to it, the most important aspect of your tuxedo is the fit. The very best accessory you can buy for the tux is to have an experienced tailor fitting it to you.

Tuxedos really are a classic piece of men’s formal wear, and it is well worth the investment to have a well-tailored08 tux and accessories in your closet for the next formal event. Visit Formalwear Outlet at 415 Millstone Drive Hillsborough, NC 27278 or online at www.formalwearoutlet.com and you’ll be perfectly dressed for any formal occasion.