Everyone, Suit UP!

Whenever there is a formal event presumably weddings, proms, and funerals, the necessity for the males attending is to rent or buy a suit-preferably the suede tuxedo. The tuxedo has been defined by both the Merriam-Webster and Oxford dictionary as “a semi-formal evening suit for men” or “a man’s dinner jacket” respectively. In modern times, these entries are definitely not the only accepted terms of a tuxedo as both dinners in the evening is not necessarily a formal event and tuxedos have been upgraded to the status of serving in formal yet fun gatherings. The true origin of the tuxedo dates back to the 1860s across the Atlantic Ocean to England where elite noblemen grew tiresome of the formal evening dress coat. The only replacement suit at the time was the looser “lounge jacket” used during the day, otherwise known as the “smoking jacket” aptly named for what men smoked in proceeding after dinner. Eventually, country proprietors adopted the material and finishes of the dress coat and the short length of the lounge jacket to wear during formal occasions.

The global popularity of the tuxedo jacket did not begin until the summer of 1886 for which the Prince of Norfolk recognized the suit from the American coffee tycoon James Brown Potter who was unsure what dress code was appropriate for intending his meeting with him at Sandringham House; nonetheless, he dressed in believably semi-formal attire. The Prince admired the tuxedo jacket and even suggested to his tailor to create an identical jacket. This inspired Potter to spread to embrace the tuxedo as a new trend in the urban atmosphere of New York City especially in the clubs, one of which is now known as Tuxedo Park Club, beginning the first popular widespread of the tuxedo. And to further support his account of bringing the Tuxedo to acknowledgement in New York City, an interview of Grenville Kane, the owner of the Tuxedo Park Club, acclaimed that the trend immediately began as even club regulars would adorn the tuxedo jacket.

With its 125^th anniversary having been in 2011, it is just spectacular to understand how far the tuxedo has really evolved from its black tie event status from 1920s to 1940s to its middle class status of the 1950s with its mainly navy blue and black colors. Then the 1960s escalated the tuxedo to legendary status with the tuxedo being a signature mark of cinema star James Bond with his movie franchise debuting with Dr.No in 1962.

Of course tuxedos would stay in the media’s gaze with red carpet events commemorating the Oscars, the Emmys, and even Grammy award shows. Verging towards the 21^st century, tuxedos became available for usage of other ages and genders stating that the tuxedo jacket is a worthwhile item to own as a momentum for any family. Tuxedos are a tremendous part of the American lifestyle with a track record that may allow it to last a millennium as New York historians of future centuries can understand how a trend can transform into a necessity of life. So, visit your local Men’s Warehouse and rent or own a tux because you’re going to like the way you look, I guarantee it.

-Brandon