FAQ: What is the difference between a suit and a tuxedo?
“I am getting married and am trying to decide what to wear. What is the difference between a suit and a tuxedo?”
A very common question we receive from customers is “What is the difference between a suit and a tuxedo?” A tuxedo is a suit like a square is a rectangle. Tuxedos are suits but not all suits are tuxedos. A tuxedo is more formal than a standard suit, it has subtle details to distinguish the difference, and it is worn on different occasions.
What is a suit?
Simply put, a suit is a set of coat and trousers (and sometimes a vest) that matches exactly in color and fabric. In that sense, a tuxedo is a suit - black coat and trousers cut from the same cloth.
What details distinguish a tuxedo from a standard suit?
Shawl Lapel Tuxedo with Satin Facing
This tuxedo, faced in silk satin, is paired with a coordinating silk satin bow tie. A pleated formal shirt with gold and onyx studs is more formal than a standard dress shirt.
Tuxedos lapels have a special trim, called facing, that covers the lapel. The trousers have a matching stripe or braid down the outseam similar to a military uniform.
There are two traditional options for facing, satin and grosgrain. Both are silk, but they are woven differently and have a different look and feel. Satin is a smooth, shiny weave that is what most people think of when they think of a tuxedo, and what you will find on most rental tuxedos. Grosgrain, also called faille, is still silk, but it has a ribbed texture and generally has slightly less sheen than satin. Both are equally correct and can be found on examples for as long as the tuxedo has been worn.
Grosgrain or Faille Bow Tie
The silk is woven in a ribbed pattern. This produces more texture. less sheen, and can be an elegant option that differs from most rental tuxedo facing.
In addition to the actual facing and trouser braid, the shirt and accessories worn with a tuxedo differ from those worn with a standard suit.
The tuxedo shirt may take various forms, whether pleated, finished in piqué, or with a stiff bib. The collar may be a normal turn-down collar or a stiff wing-tip. The important distinction is that it differs from a normal dress shirt and is more formal. Generally it is fastened with decorative or studs, often made of precious metals and pearls or gems, rather than attached buttons.
The bow tie is traditionally black, giving the outfit the name “Black Tie.” It should match the lapel facing. A satin lapel should be worn with a black satin bow tie, while a grosgrain lapel should be worn with a grosgrain bow tie. Additionally, a cummerbund is worn covering the waist where the shirt is tucked into the trousers. Usually pleated, the pleats face up. The cummerbund is traditionally made of the same material as the bow tie and lapel facing. While one might wear a bow tie with a standard suit, a cummerbund is only worn with a tuxedo, and elevates the outfit’s formality.
When should I wear a tuxedo or a standard suit?
Historically, wealthy men dressed for dinner, changing from their standard business suits into black tie for dinner each evening. Because a tuxedo is a dinner suit, it is traditionally only worn after 5 p.m. In modern usage, a tuxedo is worn for formal evening weddings while a suit would be preferred during the day.
N.B.: Technically, black tie is “semi-formal” and there are also more formal alternatives: the morning suit and evening tailcoat. These will be the subject of a subsequent post.
So what should I wear for my wedding?
Ultimately choosing between a suit or a tuxedo comes down to the context of the wedding and the time of day, and it is largely personal preference. At Waring Tuxedos, we suggest wearing a tuxedo for all evening weddings, but we have some customers who prefer a more casual event and opt for a suit. For daytime weddings, we suggest a suit or morning suit. The main point is for you to feel comfortable.
We have seen tuxedos worn in both church settings and outdoors at ranches or in the mountains. We have seen suits in the same settings. We have also seen unique dress codes such as “Texas Tux",” where jeans and boots are worn with a tuxedo coat, shirt, and accessories. There isn’t one right answer.
If you are still unsure, our staff is here to guide you and help you make a selection that is right for you. Get dressed, not stressed. Be comfortable, have fun with the details, and enjoy the moment.