I'm in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas) today and tomorrow for my friend's wedding at Fairytale Manor (can't find the place's actual homepage). As a member of the wedding party, I will be issued a rented tuxedo for matching purposes. This is standard practice designed to keep the groomsmen looking as consistent as possible for photograph and at-the-altar views.
There might have been a day when this wasn't necessary--when every gentleman could be expected to own a single-button black tuxedo with grosgrain, peak lapels--but it's gotten to where such a tux is impossible to find at any menswear store. (Jos. A. Bank, for example, sticks with notch-lapel tux jackets.) Nevermind the monstrosities one finds at a high-school prom anywhere in the country.
And why would a gentleman own a tux these days, anyway? I've been to about seven weddings; only one required a tux of its male guests, and I was in middle school at the time. Other than weddings, there are so few opportunities to wear the damned thing. I lamented this the other night with my girlfriend's parents.
When do YOU wear a tux?
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Quite rarely, though I do enjoy it. I find I'm the only one who can show my friends how to properly handle the cuff links and jewelry, so I've been a groomsman more often than I'd care to admit.
ReplyDeleteI've only worn one twice, both for others weddings. My bride let the men get away with black suits.
ReplyDeleteI have worn them to awards dinners, high school graduation, and to weddings where black tie was preferred. Other than that - nowhere else. Going to dinner in a tux no matter how fancy the place makes you look like you work at the restaurant (and if you have a good tux it just means you look like the manager).
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the trenchant comments. Anon, I think the only restaurant exception would be (maybe, never tried it myself) a pre-opera or -symphony or -theater menu at a fancy restaurant, but ONLY on opening night.
ReplyDeleteAgreed - however that opening night better be in a MAJOR city at a restaurant that has at least one $35+ steak on the menu!
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