Why Not a White or Ivory Tuxedo?

Many people ask about white and ivory tuxedos. Are they still in use? Are they still made? Although the answer to both of these questions is yes, there are a number of reasons why tuxedos in these colors have declined in popularity in recent years. This article provides information that will help you decide whether or not they are right for you.

The first thing you should know about white and ivory tuxedos is that they are made of a polyester material. Polyester is a plastic-based woven fabric that is very durable, and it holds up to a lot of wear and tear. Unfortunately, this fabric does not breathe, and a result it is a very warm material. You could find yourself sweating even in the middle of winter (yes, even in Wisconsin!). Essentially, you are wrapping yourself in a plastic bag. Not very comfortable.

Another thing to keep in mind when considering white or ivory tuxedos is that you will have no choice in shades of color. White polyester is bright white. Normally, that wouldn't make a big difference, but when you are trying to coordinate with a bridal gown, it can make a significant difference. Bridal gowns come in many shades of white, from a soft white to a blue white. Because white tuxedos only come in a bright white color, the groom may 'outshine' the bride, making her dress look dingy or grey in comparison. And even if the color of the bride's dress is similar to the color of the groom's white tuxedo, you need to be aware that in photographs, the bride and groom may 'blend' together as a result of this similarity in colors. While you probably want your two lives to blend into one as a married couple, you probably also want to be seen as distinct people in your wedding pictures.

Similar complications arise with ivory tuxedos. These tuxedos are a very dark ivory, and tend to clash with many of the wedding dresses that are currently available. Recently, the trends for ivory dresses have been towards the lighter shades. Such candlelight ivory dresses will appear oddly colored compared to the darkness of the ivory tuxedo. In addition, matching accessories (e.g., vest, tie, shirt) will not, in fact, match, as the colors will vary due to the difference in the blended materials used in the accessories versus the one hundred percent polyester content of the tuxedos.

There are also maintenance concerns with white and ivory tuxedos. Although polyester tuxedos can be dry cleaned, the white or ivory material tends to fade and become greyer with each cleaning. While these tuxedos can be washed to keep them bright, this type of laundering may not remove all types of scents from the fabric. And consider one final thing...white and ivory tuxedos tend to make people appear shorter and wider. This isn't a good thing.

You now have the information you need to make an educated decision about selecting white or ivory tuxedos. At Fifth Avenue Formalwear in the Wedding Centre we can help you with this decision, and show you many more versatile, flattering, and comfortable alternatives!