Downright dapper: The best tuxedos and dinner suits
Nail your next black-tie look with a well-cut tuxedo
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There’s something about impeccable tailoring. The difference between a subpar suit a well-made blazer and perfectly fitted trousers can be little more than an inch – but that inch will instantly elevate your look. So, with the festive season right around the corner, it’s time to consider swapping out those easy summer suits for something more formal. Allow us to make a case for tuxedos.
Often called dinner jackets or dinner suits here in the UK, tuxedos, with their crisp lines and lush fabrics, are the best in fine formal clothing for men. From James Bond and Bruce Wayne to George Clooney and Ryan Gosling, every best-dressed man, fictional or real, has a well-made tux ready to go when the occasion calls for it. So whether you’re putting your sartorial best foot forward at a winter wedding or going all out at a Christmas party, ditch the regular suit for a tuxedo this season.
Suits vs Tuxedos
Let’s get down to brass tacks. All tuxedos are suits but not all suits are tuxedos. Confused? Differentiating between the two is actually quite simple. The major difference is that a tuxedo is simply more dressed up than a suit. It all comes down to satin. Elegant satin detailing adorns the lapels, buttons, and trousers of a tuxedo, while the fabric tends to have slightly more sheen than a standard wool or linen suit. In addition, a tuxedo should always be worn with a bow tie, cummerbund, pleated dress shirt and, ideally, patent shoes to complete the black-tie ensemble.
So whether you’re looking for peak or shawl lapels, a classic black tux or something to stand out in, we’ve curated some of the best tuxedos to invest in this season.
Fursac virgin wool tuxedo
This Fursac wool tuxedo is as classic as it comes. Cut for a slim fit with satin shawl lapels for a sleek silhouette, wear it the traditional way with a white dress shirt, black satin bow-tie, and dress shoes.
Mr. P tuxedo jacket
Another elegant classic, Mr. P’s black tuxedo is a bonafide wardrobe staple. Crafted from pure virgin wool, the tuxedo jacket features peak lapels and button-through cuffs while the straight-cut trousers feature an unconventional adjustable drawstring waist for peak comfort. Wear yours with a pleated white shirt.
Mr. P drawstring tuxedo trousers
Paul Smith velvet tuxedo jacket
Paul Smith’s playful design vocabulary is in full force in this twist on the traditional tuxedo. Rendered in a dusky pink cotton-velvet, contrasting shawl lapels and slit pockets made this the perfect choice for Daniel Craig at the No Time To Die premiere. This finely made tuxedo is sure to be a hit at every party.
Paul Smith slim-fit tuxedo trousers
And, when your top half is doing all the talking, keep it simple with the most classic trousers you can find.
Thom Sweeney navy tuxedo
A midnight blue tuxedo is a great way to subtly stand out from the crowd and Thom Sweeney’s iteration is a clear winner. Crafted from a deep navy wool with shawl lapels, wear this timeless suit with a white shirt or go full monochrome.
Brunello Cucinelli double-breasted tuxedo
When it comes to exceptional tailoring, you can’t go wrong with Brunello Cucinelli. With the finest Italian fabrics and tailoring know-how, its double-breasted tuxedo is offered in a deep navy as a chic alternative to standard black. Style the suit with a classic white shirt and a standout watch for a refined evening look.
Dege & Skinner tuxedo
Dege & Skinner is one of the oldest tailors on Savile Row and is known for holding three Royal Warrants of Appointment (to the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Sultan of Oman, and the King of Bahrain). Dress like royalty with its classic black dinner suit. Cut from 100 per cent pure wool barathea, the jacket features corded silk peak lapels while the pleated trousers have silk braid seams along the side.
Ralph Lauren Gregory handmade dinner jacket
Typically saved, unsurprisingly, for seriously formal white tie affairs, white dinner jackets may not be everyday attire – but they do look good. Taken from Ralph Lauren’s premium Purple Label range, this wool barathea jacket is handmade in Italy and should be finished with all the traditional trimmings.
Ralph Lauren Gregory tuxedo trousers
Dress code note: white tie does not mean white trousers. Keep things classic in slim-cut black wool and your shiniest patent slippers.
Favourbrook Newport jacquard tuxedo jacket
Embrace florals this winter with Favourbrook’s jacquard woven tuxedo jacket. Crafted from a linen and cotton blend, its stone colourway and floral embroidery might seem daunting at first, but we guarantee you’ll get more and more comfortable as the waves of compliments roll in.
Favourbrook tuxedo trousers
Pair with brand’s slim-cut tuxedo trousers cut from Yorkshire barathea wool-twill trimmed with grosgrain.
Read more: The best men's jumpers for autumn
