5 Fashion Sins Men Commit With Tuxedos

Tuxedos are the height of formality, a symbol of Western culture that has been largely unchanged for a century. Yet you'll most probably see a guy or two mangling this fashion tradition one way or another. Despite the simple and straightforward rules about tuxedos, some men just won't give up on 'improvising.' Are you one of them?

Overdone Tuxedos
Some men are able to pull off a fashion statement using their tuxedo look because they're already well-practiced with their clothes. Unless you can count yourself among them, you might want to stay away from 'doing things differently' when it comes to your tuxedo.

The worst part comes when guys insist on wearing the tuxedo with all sorts of different items like a different shirt, a different tie and a unique vest all at once. Doing one item at a time is risky enough; experimenting with all of them at once is a fashion disaster that's waiting to happen. If you still want to try something new, do something you've seen on TV. Or, better yet, don't experiment with your tux look at all.

Colored Tuxedos
One of the more popular experiments particularly with Hollywood men, colored tuxedos are a difficult bet. There's a reason why formal events call for 'black tie,' and donning a colored tuxedo to said event practically flounces all those reasons. White and black are the classic, and only, colors to wear for tuxedos, so you may want to set your color wheel aside for any black tie affairs.

The likes of Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana can barely make colored tuxedos work, and even then only on the runway. Unless you have fashion model ambitions, you will be better off with a tux in the classic colors. Not only will you appear like a more debonair man, but you'll also avoid getting blacklisted in your social circles.

Too-Small Tuxedos
Fit is a crucial enough element in men's fashion, and it's even more important with a tuxedo. An ill-fitting tuxedo is easily visible, akin to painting a target on your back for others to stare at. Essentially, a tuxedo should fit like a suit, which means that you have a range of fits to work with. Going beyond that range at either end is a recipe for disaster.

Getting a rental for the evening is no excuse to end up with a tuxedo that's too tight for you. Take the time and effort to pick out a rental tux that actually fits you, and even then pay a visit to your tailor for a couple of tucks and fixes. Of course, the best idea is still to go to a tailor who'll do everything exactly to your measurements.

Exaggerated Formal
Yes, tuxedos are meant to be formal men's fashion, but there's also such a thing as being too formal. That's why you have guys showing up at parties wearing coat tails and then becoming the subject of unfriendly stares all night.

Fact of the matter is that turning the formal way, way up isn't funny or fashionable, it's downright rude. You're turning the event into your own little costume party, and no host appreciates that. Do yourself (and the host) a favor; stick to the basic tuxedo.

Experimental Ties
And then there are those men who won't fool around with the tuxedo itself, but will try to make a fashion statement out of their tie for the evening. Although you'd be working with less fabric, it's no less of a style crime if you were to do some wacky bow tie or 'quirky' necktie on an otherwise classic look. If the invitation is explicit enough to say that the event is black tie, you should get your cue from there.

There's no single biggest error when it comes to tuxedos, but all of these mistakes come from guys who try to turn the tuxedo into something it's not. Go ahead and experiment with all the other clothes in your closet, but the tuxedo remains one of the few places where the tried-and-tested formula is always best.