There are several classifications of traditional and tuxedos and formal attire: white tie, white tie and tails, black tie and morning coat or daytime.

The term "White tie" refers to the most formal way of dressing. When an invitation calls for white tie, it requires that the gentlemen of the wedding party and male guests wear black tails and matching black pants, white pique front wing collar shirt, white pique vest and bow tie, and studs with white stones. (Pique refers to a pattern of small bumps running across the front vest or tie.) Today's standards allow some variation from this theme and you may use a shirt, vest and tie that is not pique.

"White tie and tails Tuxedos " is traditional for evening weddings and receptions. However, contemporary standards accept this attire for grooms at any time of the day and allow it to be used along with black tie formal wear for groomsmen in order to distinguish the groom from the rest of the party.

"Black Tie Tuxedos" can best be described as "party wear" or "evening wear." Tuxedos fall in this category. Tailcoats are not officially tuxedos. A tuxedo is a suit which consists of a standard-length coat with some dressy trim and a pair of matching pants. Dinner jackets, light-colored standard-length coats with dark-colored trousers, also fall into this category. The term "black tie" can be confusing because it was adopted when black was the only color in which formal ties were available. Today, the term merely means that n gentleman may wear his tuxedo or dinner jacket with any color tie and cummerbund set. Tuxedos and Formal Wear and dinner jackets come in many colors and styles, making it easy to coordinate with the colors chosen by your bride.

Daytime formal attire is referred to as a "Morning coat." It was originally designed for daytime wear; however, it now is acceptable protocol for evening weddings as well. The morning coat attire gives the men in your party a turn-of-the-century appearance and is a popular choice. It is comprised of either a black or gray coat with matching gray and black striped pants, a pearl gray or light gray vest, gray and black striped four-in-hand tie (standard necktie) or ascot tie, and either a collared or wing collar shirt. The coat is designed as either a "Cutaway" with tails or a "Stroller" without tails.

Formal wear and tuxedos should not clash with the colors the bride has selected, and the groom's tuxedo should not upstage the bridal gown.

Your formal wear specialist will be able to guide you in choosing the tuxedos and formal attire that best represents the mood you want to create.

Cinderella and the Prince - Classic Tuxedos

 A tuxedo is much like choosing your dress, as beautiful as the bride will be, shouldn't the groom look as good too? For example maybe your gown has a long train, the groom should compliment your formal gown with tails. Remember Cinderella with her beautiful gown, and how handsome the prince was with his tail coat? Maybe you have the vision of a Victorian wedding with cutaways and pinstriped pants such as Prince Charles. This look was quite common if you were having a morning or early afternoon wedding. Cutaways, or other wise referred to as morning suits, are classic choices that grooms have been wearing for decades. Whatever your thoughts or visions may be, leave your options open until you have tried on at least 3 or 4 different styles.

Tuxedos are just like choosing the perfect gown, you would never order it from a catalog or shop just from a mannequin. You need to try on the actual outfit to determine if it right for you and your groomsmen.  Tuxedos come in over 50 different styles including over 15 different designers such as Perry Ellis, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Fubu, LIz Claiborne, After Six, and more.