Whether in a wedding or going to a formal event, gentlemen will need to find what After Six, Inc., calls "the most stylish garment in the history of time:" a tuxedo.

While there are no dramatic changes in tuxedo fashion, different colors and styles have all found their own popularity. David Andrews, a sales associate at an After Hours Formalwear store in San Diego, Calif., said currently the most popular tuxedo style is a Liz Claiborne pinstripe suit that features either a two- or four-button closure. Andrews said the two-button jacket is a classic, timeless style, while the four-button is more trendy and sporty.

Lately, the three most popular colors for tuxedo vests are apple-red, and aqua-blue called pool, and a brown called truffle, according to Andrews. Generally, these colors are mainly worn by the groomsmen, while the groom sports platinum-white or ivory.

Tuxedo preferences change with the seasons. In winter, black suits tend to be worn more often than lighter colors. And during the summer, white or ivory suits are more popular for the warmer weather. Andrews said approximately 15 percent of the store's customers will purchase a white suit, mainly for the groom.

THE BASICS

The basic tuxedo has one or two buttons with a bow tie and vest. However, there are different choices to be made depending on the time of day the wedding will take place, the setting, and the level of formality. A traditional morning suit - what Andrews calls "the monopoly man" suit - usually worn in steel gray with an Ascot tie wouldn't be an appropriate choice for an evening ceremony. Nighttime weddings tend to be more formal and often find the groom and his attendants in black tailcoats with a white vest and bow tie. A contemporary night wedding gives the option of picking a tailcoat in a color besides black.

For accessories, the cummerbund and bow tie have mainly faded out. Andrews said less than 10 percent of his customers wear cummerbunds and less than 20 percent purchase bow ties. Now, men usually have long ties when dressed in tuxedo attire. Other accessories are leather shoes and cuff links.

"The leather shoes tie in the satin on the tuxedo," said Andrews. "It ties the whole outfit together."

Younger grooms looking for hipper tuxedo fashions will probably appreciate Seven Unlimited. Cheryl Austin, a production manager for the company, said the Seven Unlimited line was developed to be a fashionable hybrid; it is both traditional and trendy. It features tuxedos with a satin accent, so it can be dressed up or down.

"Seven Unlimited is a younger industry that targets a younger audience," said Austin. "It is less traditional."

When deciding whether to rent or buy a tuxedo, Andrews recommended buying if the tuxedo will be worn on several occasions.

"If you wear a tuxedo once a year, purchasing is the way to do it," he said.

And to be sure everyone looks their best, fittings for rentals should occur three to five months before the big day at a tuxedo store.

© Copley News Service

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