Tuxedos, originally called “dinner suits,” were named after social events at Tuxedo Park in New York. Typically reserved for formal occasions, tuxedos are considered evening attire. They are a more elaborate form of a suit and have several distinct characteristics, including satin lapels, pocket trim, and more.

While black is the most common color for tuxedos, they can also be found in navy or white and paired with leather-laced shoes. Tuxedo dress shirts are available in various textures. Many men wear white dress shirts with a wing or straight collar underneath their tuxedo jacket, with the wing collar being the more formal option. Men should also always tuck the collar tips behind the bow tie.

Since suits are suitable for both semi-formal and formal events, men can enjoy endless styling options. Bright colors and fun patterns may be appropriate for summer events, while neutral colors may be more fitting for corporate settings. Therefore, it is always wise to have a variety of styles available.

Investing in a bespoke suit from an established suit store like Culwell & Son may be ideal if you know exactly what you want. Just like our custom tuxedos, our stylists can fine-tune all the suit materials and measurements to ensure a perfect fit, resulting in an incredible custom suit Dallas residents will love.

There are several distinct contrasts between tuxedos and suits. Let’s break them down.

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1 — BUTTONS
Tuxedo jackets can have one to three buttons and feature a satin finish. In contrast, Dallas men’s suits have bone, plastic, or fabric buttons, and their finish depends on the rest of the suit materials.

For both tuxedos and suits, buttoning the top button while standing is the most appropriate option. If you wear a jacket with two or three buttons, it’s best to leave the button one unbuttoned. However, you may leave all the buttons unbuttoned for semi-formal events when wearing a suit.

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2 — BUTTON STANCES
The buttons on a tuxedo jacket are lower, which leaves more of the shirt exposed, creating a classic V shape. Conversely, suit buttons are higher and fall at or above the waistline, covering more of the shirt.

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3 — TIES
When wearing a tuxedo, it is common to pair it with a black satin bow tie, either self-tied or pre-tied, to match the jacket lapels. On the other hand, Dallas men’s suits offer more flexibility, ranging from tieless casual looks to various tie options, including clip-on and patterned bowties, with different styles, materials, and patterns.

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4 — VESTS OR CUMMERBUNDS
Tuxedos are traditionally paired with either cummerbunds or low-stance vests to showcase the shirt. Men typically wear single-button suit jackets without a vest. However, high-stance vests complement a two or three-button suit jacket.

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5 — PANTS
There are notable distinctions between suit pants and tuxedo pants. Tuxedo pants are more elegant, while suit pants have a regular waistband that pairs well with a stylish belt.

Tuxedo pants usually feature a sleek satin stripe running down the side from the waistline to the bottom. It’s uncommon to wear belts with tuxedos, as many men wear suspenders under their jackets instead.

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We recommend only wearing off-the-rack and custom tuxedos during formal events, as they are most likely not appropriate for casual nights or relaxed business meetings. However, many of our guests wear men’s tailored suits for semi-casual events or more formal gatherings, like weddings. Always refer to the invitation for guidance if you’re deciding between a tuxedo VS suit.