Men's Tuxedo Vs Suit - What's The Difference?
If you’re not used to formal wear, the difference between a tuxedo and a suit can be a little confusing. They both feature ties. They both feature jackets. They both have button-up shirts underneath. So what are the subtleties you’re missing, and why should it matter in the first place? As it turns out, there are plenty of differences between a tuxedo and a suit, and knowing them can help you choose the right garments for the occasion at hand. Before you make a fashion faux pas, here’s a quick guide to a men’s tuxedo vs a full suit.
The Difference Between Tuxedos & Suits
Is it possible to tell between a tuxedo and a suit just by looking at them? Yes, but you’ll have to know which details matter the most:
- Satin material. One of the primary differences here is one that is difficult to distinguish, but ends up separating the two distinctly: the presence of satin. Simply put, tuxedos tend to have satin interwoven into their makeup, while suits do not.
- Watch the accessories. Tuxedos tend to include bow ties, suspenders, and cummerbunds, whereas suits tend to use long ties and vests—although the presence of a vest or a long tie does not preclude the possibility of a tuxedo. Suits can also be dressed “down” when paired with unique clothing items or different shirts underneath, while a tuxedo jacket would look out of place unless paired with anything but formal wear.
- Shirt accompaniment. Maybe the most obvious sign of a suit is that you can wear a wide variety of dress shirts underneath them. A simple button-down can even be a casual option outside of the wedding realm. That’s not the case with tuxedos, which will typically be worn with a wing collar or turndown collar shirt.
You might not always be able to immediately tell the difference between a suit vs. a tuxedo just by looking at them. But when you pair all of these details together, you’ll start to understand the difference.
How To Wear The Right Thing
Whether you need to wear a suit or tuxedo depends entirely on the circumstances. For weddings that aren’t “black tie” events, guests who aren’t part of the wedding party are typically expected to wear suits—and leave the tuxes to the groomsmen and the groom.
That doesn’t mean you have to dress “down,” however. Suit pants options like these Super 100’s Gabardine Flat Front pants are great for wearing to weddings, offering a high degree of style and formality without venturing into “tuxedo” territory. When you pair these with a simple suit jacket and tie, you’d be amazed at how good you can look without looking like you’re supposed to be standing up at the altar with the rest of the groomsmen!
Find Great Suit Pants At Berle
If you’re looking for a great pair of trousers to pair with your suit, browse all the tailored trousers available here at Berle. We have a wide range of styles and colors to choose from. Plus, we offer free shipping on all regular price orders!
