Tuxedo cumberbund...do you have to wear this?

[gusmahler]

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...ents/Waist.htm

OP hasn't mentioned shoes yet. The most formal is supposedly the opera pump. But I think a lot of men have issues with wearing a shoe that has a giant bow on it. Thus, most men choose the patent leather plain toe oxford. I say go for the pump, though.

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...s/Footwear.htm

[Ghazban]

French cuffs are definitely the sexy way to go for the shirt; get a real shirt with french cuffs and stud holes instead of buttons. If you're wearing a bowtie, get a real one and learn how to tie it.

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...ents/Waist.htm

OP hasn't mentioned shoes yet. The most formal is supposedly the opera pump. But I think a lot of men have issues with wearing a shoe that has a giant bow on it. Thus, most men choose the patent leather plain toe oxford. I say go for the pump, though.

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...s/Footwear.htm

[/ QUOTE ]

This reminds me of a thread I was wondering if I should start on shoes. They say good ones can last for decades. I tend to get pretty crummy ones, so of course they don't last long. So I'm probably losing money, plus not getting as good a shoe while doing it.

Does anyone here have custom shoes made? If so, can you recommend a maker? I'm in Orange County, California, so someone here or in L.A. I suppose would be ideal. But I can't spend a grand on a pair of shoes, even custom. Can I get custom shoes that are less spendy but still a great investment I'll be happy with?

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think I remember seeing him wearing white suspenders when he is sitting at the table. Is it also customary to not wear an undershirt with dress shirts? I sweat like a pig so I've always worn one, also most of my shirts were bought pre-poker so the fabric is pretty thin.

[/ QUOTE ]

Most people wear undershirts. Both to hide body hair and to prevent sweat from ruining the shirt. But others think that undershirts are unnecessary. If you're an undershirt guy, just wear one with your tux.

[/ QUOTE ]

A drycleaner told me that the most common stain guys come in with is green armpits from using cologne there.

[dylan's alias]

[ QUOTE ]
French cuffs are definitely the sexy way to go for the shirt; get a real shirt with french cuffs and stud holes instead of buttons. If you're wearing a bowtie, get a real one and learn how to tie it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, yes, yes. Tying your own bowtie is definitely worth the effort.

I'm a little older than the average here, but I still think the cummerbund is the way to go. The tux is a classic look, stick to the basics.

[gusmahler]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...ents/Waist.htm

OP hasn't mentioned shoes yet. The most formal is supposedly the opera pump. But I think a lot of men have issues with wearing a shoe that has a giant bow on it. Thus, most men choose the patent leather plain toe oxford. I say go for the pump, though.

http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic...s/Footwear.htm

[/ QUOTE ]

This reminds me of a thread I was wondering if I should start on shoes. They say good ones can last for decades. I tend to get pretty crummy ones, so of course they don't last long. So I'm probably losing money, plus not getting as good a shoe while doing it.

Does anyone here have custom shoes made? If so, can you recommend a maker? I'm in Orange County, California, so someone here or in L.A. I suppose would be ideal. But I can't spend a grand on a pair of shoes, even custom. Can I get custom shoes that are less spendy but still a great investment I'll be happy with?

[/ QUOTE ]

Depends on how much you're willing to spend. I've never heard of custom shoes for under $1000. All the "name" manufactures who do custom charge about twice that.

Here's a good summary of ready to wear shoes:
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/T...seyOnShoes.htm

Summary: the cheapest you can get for "good" shoes is Allen Edmonds at about $300 each. I have a pair that I bought about 7 years ago that still look great (I've had them resoled twice, though). Next step above that is Alden at about $400. Then you get to the more expensive, foreign brands. Crockett & Jones is pretty well respected and you can get them cheap at http://plal.com/crockett.htm (the prices are in Malaysian dollars, the exchange rate is 3.50 = 1 US dollar, so the "bench grade" shoes start at about $428 and the other line starts at $342.

Here's a thread about custom shoemakers:
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/f...ad.php?t=49889

[Blarg]

Thanks!

You know, I read about getting custom shoes for like 500, but that was probably ten years ago, and I guess maybe more of a best-case scenario than I had hoped.

Can you tell me why Alden is a "next step above" Allen Edmonds? I mean, if I'm going to pay $300, I might as well pay $400 unless the difference in quality is negligible or I hate the style on the more expensive shoe.

What I'd really like is just a plain-toe black oxford that can go with anything from business to formal, and then if I like what I get, maybe add another pair in later.

[gusmahler]

There was a good thread comparing Alden and AE:

http://askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/sho...n+edmonds+alden

No real consensus on why (or even if) Alden is actually better or just perceived as better.

BTW, looks like you'd be comparing these two:
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/pro...mp;occasion=189

http://www.aldenshoes.com/DrawOneShoe.asp?CategoryID=37

I have the perforated cap toe of version of the AE (which they no longer make) and it still looks really good after 6-7 years. In comparison, I have a 3 year old Johnston & Murphy wingtip that no longer holds a shine.

[kerowo]

Why would you not wear the comberbund? It's like getting a hug the entire time you're playing dress up.

[AZK]

If I were to buy a tuxedo, how much should I drop on this thing?