Do you own a Tux?

[ArrowCollarMan]

I bought a tux at JC Penny last year for $100. Its a one button SB notch lapel %100 worsted wool, lightweight. I bought a 5 button vest for it which put together the whole ensamble. I've only gotten to wear it once since I bought it (homecoming '06), but I thought it a good investment considering that I'd wear it to future school dances.

 

[Fletch]

The tailcoat is nearly extinct, or virtually so. There are perhaps two or three major events in the US that specify white tie in their dress code.

I believe they all involve heads of state in some way, and are also traditionally stag. That's a bit of code that Antongiovanni's article didn't touch on - how did tails become associated with statecraft and with male-only functions?

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

Well, if you make it to the Queen Mary event, you'll see at least one tailcoat at the Saturday night dinner.

 

[WildCelt]

Check out the waistband.

So, would one still wear a cummerbund with a waistband like that?

 

[Dinerman]

So, would one still wear a cummerbund with a waistband like that?

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't.
These are crazy high waisted. They come up past my ribs. I have a pretty short torso to begin with. You only see two shirt buttons (three if you count the collar button) with these pants.

 

[Mike K.]

Well, if you make it to the Queen Mary event, you'll see at least one tailcoat at the Saturday night dinner.

Tony - you might not be alone. I haven't fully decided between the dinner jacket and the tailcoat. I've been leaning toward the tailcoat, but then again, it is a dinner where suits are also welcome so perhaps the dinner jacket is the more appropriate option.

So, would one still wear a cummerbund with a waistband like that?

I read that many vintage trousers, especially for white tie functions, had very high waists to ensure that nothing showed below the bottom of the waistcoat. Cummerbunds are best left for use with the white dinner jacket (i.e. summer use).

 

[WildCelt]

I read that many vintage trousers, especially for white tie functions, had very high waists to ensure that nothing showed below the bottom of the waistcoat. Cummerbunds are best left for use with the white dinner jacket (i.e. summer use).

I've read that, too, but it seems to me a waistcoat is a bit superfluous with a DB jacket. Am I mistaken?

 

[Midnight Blue]

I've read that, too, but it seems to me a waistcoat is a bit superfluous with a DB jacket. Am I mistaken?

Good point - neither type of formal waist covering should be worn with a double-breasted dinner jacket!

 

[Midnight Blue]

I believe they all involve heads of state in some way, and are also traditionally stag. That's a bit of code that Antongiovanni's article didn't touch on - how did tails become associated with statecraft and with male-only functions?

Where did you hear about the stag tradition? I know that black tie was limited to male-only functions until the 1920s (at least outside of summer resorts) but I have never heard that rule for white tie.

 

[Mike K.]

Oops, I overlooked the fact that it was a DB jacket. You're absolutely right.

 

[John in Covina]

Peak Lapel Double Breasted in Black, How ever it is a little small for me these days. I usually got to wear it 2 to 3 times a year with New Years Eve a must.

I have never got any negative about it, usually people were positive and often had lots of great tux remarks.

 

[dostacos]

well a tux will be my last suit [no not forever, just on my "NEED" list]

I will probably get both a white dinner jacket [Casablanca or Raiders, Temple of Doom] ish and a black maybe [like I wouldn't get the vest] contrasting vest.

first I have to get my belly out of the way so if is spill it hits the pants not the jacket:eusa_doh:

 

[Edward]

I'm disinclined to wear a waistcoat with a white jacket myself: the point of the white jacket was that it was supposed to be lighter wearing for warmer climates. since the focus was on keeping cool, wearing a waistcoat with one seems to negate the point somehow. My preference would thus be a cummerbund (with SB jacket, of course - neither with db). If you're not worried about the old guidelines and you have a great tolerance for the heat, though, aesthetically that would work just fine.

As to waistlines, I have often also wondered whether the move to a tighter waistband came with the trend away from braces/suspenders and towards belts. A more relaxed fit that a brace would hold up no problem would be liable to bunch up uncomfortably under a belt. Or could it have been the simple fact of the waistband moving lower on the body on average? I know I can wear a slimmer waist trouser more comfortable in a high waisted style than in something more modern.

 

[Mark from Plano]

I have a SB PL tuxedo, a cream dinner jacket with shawl lapels and a tartan plaid dinner jacket with shawl lapels. I have a white 3 button waistcoat that I recently purchased to wear with the black dinner jacket and a black Robert Talbott cumberbund (with hidden ticket pockets) that I wear the the rest of the time.

Most of my in-town events are in the winter, so the black jacket sees the most use. The dinner jackets usually make their appearance when Mrs. Mark_from_Plano and I go on cruises in the Caribbean.

 

[scotrace]

I have a double breasted dinner suit in midnight blue from around 1939.

 

[Mike K.]

I have a double breasted dinner suit in midnight blue from around 1939.

Pictures, man, pictures!!!

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

Do you own a Tux?

I do now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230168981160

 

[Lancealot]

I do now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230168981160

Nice tux.

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

I've been having TONS of luck lately!! Went through months where I wasn't finding anything but I've gotten some great deals in the last week. Go figure!

 

[Edward]

I do now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230168981160

Nice! Great score. That's the sort of thing I want to repalce my modern one with - most likely it'll be repro, but if the right original deal comes up, of course I'll jump on it.