Central Pennsylvania's Premiere Tuxedo Store

Q - What are the different types of formalwear?

Full Dress: Also known as a tailcoat or tails. This coat is short in the front with tails in the back.

Cutaway: Also known as a morning coat. This is a grey coat which tapers from the front to the back making a tail in the back. This is different from the tailcoat which "notches" from the front to back.

Tuxedo: This has the look of a regular suit jacket, however it will have satin trim.

Stroller: This is a grey jacket used in a semi-formal setting

Dinner Jacket: This is a white jacket worn with black pants

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Q - What are some of the different aspects of formalwear jackets?

Single-breasted vs. Double-breasted: Single-breasted jackets have the same size fronts that meet in the center, with the option of leaving the jacket buttoned or unbuttoned. Double-breasted jackets overlap and button to the side. Double-breasted jackets should remain buttoned.

Notch Lapel: This lapel has a "notch"... Most men's suits have notch lapels.

Peak Lapel: This jacket has a lapel which has a point.

Shawl: This jacket has a rounded lapel.

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Q - What type of fabric is used for formalwear?

The standard fabric is worsted wool, which is generally up to 75 TPI (threads per square inch). There are also Super 100's, Super 110's and Super 120's which is progressively softer wool. They have 100 TPI, 110 TPI and 120 TPI respectively.

Q - What are some of the different aspects of formalwear shirts?

Wing Collar: This shirt has a stand up collar with "wing tips"...

Laydown Collar: This shirt has a collar which "lays down". Most men's dress shirts have Laydown Collars.

Mandarin Collar: This shirt has a stand up collar without "wing tips". You may wear this shirt with a button cover.

French Cuffs vs. Convertible Cuffs: French Cuffed shirts have cuffs at the end of the sleeve which fold back away from the hand and are fastened with cufflinks. These cuffs provide a very sophisticated look. Convertible Cuffs do not fold back and are also fastened with cufflinks.

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Q - What type of fabric is used for formalwear shirts?

Formalwear shirts may be a Poly/Cotton Blend, 100% Cotton, Microfiber or Pique. Pique is a tightly woven fabric with raised cords.

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Q - What are some of the different aspects of Cummerbunds and Vests?

Cummerbunds are worn around the waist with the pleats facing upward (as if to hold theatre tickets or to "catch the crumbs"). Open-back vs. Full-back Vests: Open-back vests are open in the back with a small band of material running along the waist. The back of the shirt will be visible. Full-back vests have material on the back of the vest. The back of the shirt is not visible. Full-back vests provide a more sophisticated look if the jacket will be removed.

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Q - What are some of the different types of Ties?

Bowties are just that, with the option of being pre-tied or self-tied. Bowties are the most traditional form of formal neckwear. Ascot/Cravat is a wide tie which is folded over with the bottom being tucked into a vest or jacket.

4-in-hand is a tie that is very similar to a tie worn with a business suit.

Bolo is a western string tie that is "tied" with a piece of jewelry at the neck.

Sharpe is a tie that is wider than a 4-in-hand and is squared off at the bottom. The knot has a wrinkled look to it.

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Q - What jewelry should be worn with formalwear?

For a well dressed formal look, Cufflinks and Studs should always be worn. Cufflinks are jewelry which fastens the shirts cuffs. Studs are used to button the shirt. The studs will fit through the shirt button holes allowing the studs to show rather than the buttons.A Button Cover is a piece of jewelry which fits over the top button of a shirt and can be worn with a mandarin collar shirt.

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Q - Based on the time of day the wedding takes place, what type of formalwear should the wedding party choose?

Evening - Very Formal: All members of the wedding party should be wearing black full dress formalwear, white pique shirts, white pique vests, white pique bowtie and black patent leather shoes. Guests should wear black tuxedos by specifying "Black Tie"on the invitation.

Evening - Formal: Tuxedo or full dress, with white shirts. Dark colors in Fall/Winter. Light colors may be worn in tropical climates or Spring/Summer. Formalwear is optional for guests.

Evening - Semi-Formal: Tuxedo, with color depending on the time of year and climate; white shirt; black or coordinating colored vests/ties. Formalwear is optional for guests.

Daytime - Very Formal: All members of the wedding party should be wearing a Cutaway with striped or matching trousers, white shirt, striped tie or ascot and black patent leather shoes. Optional Top Hats, Grey Gloves and spats may be worn. Guests should wear black tuxedos by specifying "Black Tie" on the invitation.

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Q - What should be worn when the invitation states "Black Tie" or "Black Tie Invited"?

For weddings, a traditional black tuxedo should be worn, with a white shirt, black tie, black vest and black patent leather shoes.

For other formal events, a tuxedo should be worn, with a formalwear shirt. Based on how formal the event, you may choose a cummerbund or vest and matching tie or button cover. You should always wear patent leather shoes.

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Q - What should be worn when the invitation states "White Tie"?

White tie is the most formal and indicates you should wear a black tailcoat, with black formal trousers, white pique shirt, white pique vest and a white pique tie and black patent leather shoes.

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Q - Will the Formalwear trousers be hemmed or un-hemmed?

The trousers will be shipped to you un-hemmed. This way you may take your formalwear to a local tailor to have the trousers hemmed to the exact length you require. This will provide a "custom-tailored" look for tremendously less.

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Top Line Tuxedos - Central Pennsylvania's Premiere Tuxedo Store