You can wear an ascot instead of a traditional bow tie to personalize your tuxedo.
A lot of men cringe at the idea of wearing a suit because they see it as a uniform of sorts that must be worn to formal occasions. While the point of the tuxedo is to provide a standardized style of formal dress, a man can add a touch of personality to this sartorial staple. Remember that the tuxedo is only part of the ensemble and that the accessories that go with the tuxedo can be used as a means of self-expression.
Neck Wear
The bow tie is the tuxedo's most commonly associated form of neck wear. While some bow ties come pre-tied and simply clip on, these are commonly seen as a fashion faux pas. A tie that requires you to actually tie it yourself shows a splash of sophistication and exudes worldliness. Consider that the bow tie can be shaped widely like a butterfly, which is the most common, or the knot part can also be shaped narrowly like a cricket bat. Men may also choose to wear a traditional necktie for formal occasions, but it should always be silk and never wool or cotton-knit. An ascot can add a splash of old-world sophistication to any tuxedo.
Cummerbund Alternative
The iconic black cummerbund is not the only way to fashion your waistline when you wear a tuxedo. A vest, or as the British call it, a waist coat, adds a sophisticated look to your tuxedo. The vest can be a bright color if you want to be daring or you can go with a gray to add a subtle sense of fashion to your formal sartorial wear. Regardless of what you choose to wear, you must always remember that you must never leave your pants' waistline exposed.
Shirt Collar
The prototypical collar seen under most tuxedos in the United States is the wing collar. The wing collar has the visual appearance of a priest collar but with two triangular flaps that fold down over the neck wear. Men who desire a British look can elect to wear a spread collar with their tuxedo. The spread collar resembles a traditional dress shirt but with a wider distance between the collar's points. A mandarin collar, colloquially referred to as a priest collar, may also be worn with a tuxedo for a progressive look.
Metal Accessories
The traditional tuxedo should always be worn with cuff links and a stud set. These metal adornments to the formal sartorial dress are usually an understated metal with black onyx or mother of pearl inlay. However, you can add your own personal flavor to these accessories if the occasion calls for it. For industry-specific banquets you can wear stylized stud sets and cuff links with icons reflecting the your industry. Film producers may choose to wear metal accessories styled after movie cameras while an athlete may choose metal accessories reflecting his individual sport.
Tags: choose wear, collar with, cuff links, fashion your, formal occasions
