2. FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO RENT
You've decided on the degree of formal-ness, so youre ready to rent, right? Wrong. There are still decisions to be made regarding the following:
Jacket
Shirt
Pants
Vest or cummerbund
Shoes
Socks
Tie
Cufflinks
Jacket
You can choose anything from single-breasted one button to double breasted six button with tails. What to choose? Asking the advice of the salesman is never a bad idea. But since you probably have no idea what the above styles even look like, check out Tuxedosdirect.com, a site that shows diagrams of the various jacket styles. Remember that certain styles are inappropriate for particular events. Tails are reserved for the most formal occasions, while single-breasted suits can be worn at almost anytime.
Another thing to consider is which style best compliments your figure. Just like when a man buys a suit, a double-breasted jacket can compliment a tall mans figure, while shorter men should definitely opt for a single-breasted jacket.
Shirt
Tuxedo shirts have evolved over the years. Most styles (excluding the classic ruffled look) are acceptable for every occasion. But, for the love of God, please do not rent a band-collared shirt and wear it without a tie. You know . . . that priestly George-Clooney-at-the-Oscars look. Stay traditional. Here are some pictures of some different styles.
Pants
Sorry, but you do need to wear pants, pervo. Most tuxedo pants will match the tuxedo style you have selected, so theres not much room for decisions here. Many formal tuxedos include a classic racing stripe down the leg, so if you feel like you're playing second trombone in a marching band, dont worry it's supposed to look that way.
Vest or Cummerbund
Heres your chance to make a personal statement. To most affairs, it is acceptable to pair a tie with a cummerbund or vest. In case you are wondering, the cummerbund is that goofy looking oversized silk belt-looking thing that is worn just above the tuxedo pants. You can select the color and style of your choice in this area. If youre going to a prom, feel free to exercise a little creativity (youre young, so people wont hold bad taste against you).
It can be nice for a man to coordinate his tuxedo with the color of his date's dress. If you decide to do this, then ask her specifically what color she will be wearing. "Blue" is not sufficient, because there are approximately 4,639 variations of the color. You wear "sky," she wears "royal," and you will be the laughing stock of the party. Okay, maybe none of the men will notice, but their dates will. But if youre going to a formal event (e.g., the opening of a ballet), play it safe and stick to blacks and whites.
One common question about cummerbunds is: do the pleats face up or down? The answer: the pleats face UP, as if they were little pockets. If you make crumbs while you eat, the cummerbund pleats should be able to catch your slovenly mess. One last note: you can wear a vest or a cummerbund, but not both. That would be gauche (that's bad).
Shoes
Shoes worn with tuxedos are usually very simple, free of extensive decoration or design. Most are made of plain patent leather. (If you plan to wear a kilt to your formal affair, however, we advise against the patent leather.) The concept of renting shoes might seem, well, abhorrent to some. If youre concerned about foot hygiene (translation: you even own your own bowling shoes), purchasing your dress shoes might not be a bad idea. Any formalwear shop will be able to provide you with suggestions.
Socks
This is one accessory that is necessary and (thankfully) not rentable. Put away the tube socks with the red and blue stripes and invest in a simple black formal sock. Your socks should go unnoticed at a formal event; this is not an element of your attire with which you should experiment. Dont get fancy.
Tie
Ties rented from a shop are frequently basic, most being of the clip-on variety. Choosing a bow tie that actually ties can impress your date and just give you that extra 007 look. Don't know how to tie a bow tie? Fear not we can show you how to tie a bow tie, too.
Cufflinks
The final touch of your tuxedo ensemble is cufflinks. While most shops will provide you with a rental, you can make a dashing statement with a personalized pair of your own. But make sure theyre not too expensive. It's really easy to lose a cufflink.
More than likely, your salesman or attendant can assist you in matching the proper accessories with your outfit. Unless hes mean-spirited and gets a kick out of making people look like idiots.
