In the market for a tux...

[patterson]

Please forgive me if this question is "old hat" but I am in the market for a tux. I have one that my dad and his party wore for my parent's wedding in 1952 - white wool dinner jacket with satin lapels, black trousers, etc... I was able to wear it in college, but...

Actually, the "problem" is from spending too much (my wife's words) time in the gym. I want the vintage look of a '50's dinner jacket, but I'm guessing I will have to find a contemporary offering and have it made to measure of altered. Where can a guy find a good looking 52"?

I have a month or so - will be breaking it in an an Alaskan cruise this summer. Any direction would be appreciated!

Regards,

-Patterson

 

[Grace]

Can't help you with the tux situation currently, but I wanted to comment on your cruise!
Which cruiseline are you taking?
We went on an Alaskan cruise the summer before last on Princess, and it was fantastic! The best way to see Alaska, if you ask me.

 

[patterson]

Can't help you with the tux situation currently, but I wanted to comment on your cruise!
Which cruiseline are you taking?
We went on an Alaskan cruise the summer before last on Princess, and it was fantastic! The best way to see Alaska, if you ask me.

Really! Actually, this is our first Alaskan cruise as well. We "threw the dice" on Norwegian this time - due to it departing from Seattle and my inlaws are going with us. Also, I guess this is a brand-new ship - the Pearl? Anyway, we are cruise junkies - partially MK's fault... Now we take at least one per year - pretty much Royal Caribbean, though we've done the Disney cruise a couple times as well.

I am looking forward to seeing Alaska this way. The last time I was there I was working my way through college on a salmon boat. Ah, 6 weeks on the copper river with 20 guys who never showered - PRICELESS! I am expecting this to be much more pleasant - but I'm still not sure I could eat salmon...

 

[Orgetorix]

Patterson,

You might check out Magnoli Clothiers. Indy, the proprietor, is a member here, and specializes in reproducing vintage looks. His products have gotten consistently good reviews on this board.

 

[patterson]

Patterson,

You might check out Magnoli Clothiers. Indy, the proprietor, is a member here, and specializes in reproducing vintage looks. His products have gotten consistently good reviews on this board.

Thanks! Tony was going to be my next stop - we go back a few years in the IndyGear world...

 

[Flitcraft]

sounds like from your size requirements, you might want to stick with a single breasted model with either a shawl collar or peaked lapel- these style tend to lend some vertical eye appeal and length. If you wear a size 52, your shoulders and chest are already pretty good sized, so you might want to subtly de-emphasize them.
Dittto on Magnoli- he's great!

 

[patterson]

sounds like from your size requirements, you might want to stick with a single breasted model with either a shawl collar or peaked lapel- these style tend to lend some vertical eye appeal and length. If you wear a size 52, your shoulders and chest are already pretty good sized, so you might want to subtly de-emphasize them.
Dittto on Magnoli- he's great!

Yep - I tend to look like a billboard in a double-breasted suit. I need a cut that looks well tapered, as my waist is 34 and my chest is 52. A tailor suggested tails, but I think I look silly in tails - like some cross between Lyle Alzado and a penquin...

I'll probably get as much info as I can and go the Magnoli route - unless I scare him off with the measurements as well...

 

[Flitcraft]

Yeah, I wouldn't do tails- first, its way too formal and you won't get as much wear out of it. Secondly, unless you go whole hog and wear the white tie, picque shirt, etc., it always looks a wrong.

I personally favor the shawl collar- think Sean Connery in the early Bond films. The shawl collar is military-inspired- its derived from British Army Mess jackets, and, like I said, it tends to give some length to your silhouette.

I've backed off on the weight training in favor of more rock climbing, but I have the same problem as you- coats that look a little too wide or a little too short make my upper body look way out of proprtion. I really don't need padded shoulders and anything that lends a little length to my torso looks more proportional.

Hope that helps...

 

[patterson]

Hope that helps...

It does - many thanks!

 

[Jovan]

The shawl collar/lapel is always a great choice. I think peaks could also de-emphasize your shoulders a bit, since the attention is drawn there instead.

Hope you find what you're looking for. 52" is a difficult size to find!