Everything You Need To Know About Tuxedo and Formal Dress Shirts

Tuxedo shirt - Black Tie

Collar

The secret to well-considered eveningwear lies in the details. That is especially true of a tuxedo, where the shirt plays an important role in the overall look. At the top of the shirt, the collar takes centre stage. Choose a classic wing collar for a sophisticated and elegant look, and pair it with a black bow tie. You can either let the collar points rest above the bow tie so they show like two wings — hence the name wing collar — or choose a lower collar and tuck the points behind the bow tie for a more modern look. Since the 1930s, a cut-away or turndown collar has also been considered a correct and modern choice, and a less formal alternative to the wing collar.

Placket

Below the collar, the front of the shirt comes into focus. Choose a tuxedo placket for a more sophisticated look, with a pleated front. For a more relaxed style, choose a clean, plain front without pleats. Whatever front you choose, remember that a tuxedo shirt should never have breast pockets.

Cuff

The last part of a tuxedo shirt is the cuff. Here, the choice is quite simple. A French double cuff should be your choice, so you can wear your tuxedo with a pair of stylish cufflinks.

Tuxedo shirt - white tie

Collar

A tailcoat is the most formal of eveningwear. Follow the dress code carefully to achieve the right look. The shirt should be a white cotton shirt with a stiff piqué front. The collar is always a stiff wing collar. The collar points should either rest on the bow tie or be tucked behind it for a more modern look.

Placket

You can choose a white tie placket with regular shirt buttons. For a more refined look, choose shirt studs that match your cufflinks.

Cuff

The cuff on a white tie shirt is folded once and should be buttoned with cufflinks.

How to get the perfect white tie style

Traditionally, black patent slippers without laces were worn, but today regular patent leather shoes are also suitable with a tailcoat. Shoes with rubber soles are just as inappropriate as rubber boots. Avoid wearing a wristwatch with white tie. At a party or during a holiday celebration, time should not be on display - only a pocket watch worn with the tailcoat’s white waistcoat is acceptable, whether single- or double-breasted. Replace your belt with white suspenders. Your socks should not be made of cotton and should be long enough. When trying on your tailcoat, make sure that no more than about 1.5 cm of the white waistcoat is visible - the same rule applies to the shirt cuffs.