It’s necessary to talk about the key differences between tuxes and suits. What makes a suit a suit, and what makes a tuxedo a tuxedo?
| Suit |
Tuxedo |
| Any classic color works |
Only black or midnight blue |
| Day or evening |
Evening only |
| Necktie or bowtie |
Bowtie only |
| Notched or peak lapels |
Peak or shawl lapels |
| No facings |
Facings on lapels, pockets, outseams & buttons |
| Any shirt |
White shirt with bib & French cuffs |
| Any button (1-3) (Single/double) |
1 button, single breasted or 6x2 double breasted |
| Pleated or plain front trousers |
Plain front trouser |
| Plain or cuff bottoms trousers |
Plain bottom trouser |
| Flap pockets (2 pockets/3 pockets) |
No flaps (Only 2 pockets) |
A tux is a tux, and a suit is a suit. Knowing the differences between the two is important because, at some point in his life, there’s a good chance that a man will have to wear a tuxedo.