SIZZLING
STYLES FOR PROM
Tuxedo Looks Through the Years
BOSTON, MA, March 15, 2004 - So you're getting in gear for
your prom but you're still not sure about what style
tux to wear. You're not alone. Year after year, guys
are confronted with this same issue. You want to look
sophisticated and elegant, but your style might be alternative
or urban. Fear not. Formal styles aren't stuffy or boring,
they change with the times too. To prove it, here's a
quick look at the styles that rocked the prom through
the years and the ones that are sure to rock this year!
In the 70’s, baby blue was the most popular tux color
but you also had your choice of brown, green or burgundy. You
could find colored ruffle shirts, big bow ties and velvet lapels.
The 70’s was the era of a wonder fabric called polyester
and it was everywhere. The 80’s gave way to the Regan
era. He was credited by many with brining back the black tuxedo.
Designer labels like Bill Blass and Christian Dior were introduced
to the tuxedo rental industry but the hottest prom tux came
from the Miami Vice Collection. Inspired by the TV series,
these babies captured the essence of South Beach with tuxedos
like Purple Haze and Flamingo Pink.
The 90’s saw the continuation of the black tuxedo and
gave way to trends like the waistcoat. One of the hottest prom
styles of the 90's was the "Jam" tuxedo from the
23 Night by Michael Jordan Collection. With pleats on the front
of the jacket, a waist length, and a popular shawl collar,
it took the tuxedo industry by storm. Guys were wearing vests
instead of cummerbunds and paisley was the single hottest pattern
on accessories.
The tuxedos of the millennium have gone higher, with more
buttons on the coat and the hottest tuxedo collections are
by Matteo Maas, Monsieur Givenchy and FUBU. Only available
in Boston, Beverly Hills, Italy, France, Germany, England,
Canada and Australia, the Matteo Maas is made of a high grade,
super 120 wool for a silky soft, light- weight feel. Unlike
the shiny satin found on tuxedo jacket lapels and leg braid,
the Matteo Maas has a material called grosgrain, a
silk like fabric with crosswise ribs. The
buttons are also covered in grosgrain for a luxurious look.
Monsiuer Givenchy's
single-breasted, two-button look is exquisitely tailored with
satin notch lapels. And for a hip urban look, there's the FUBU
tuxedo collection. One of the hottest looks for prom is the
FUBU black-on-black shadow striped, four-button, notch lapel
tuxedo with signature FUBU buttons. With a broad shoulder and
35" length jacket, the look provides an easy fit with
elegant styling. Accented with FUBU's signature vest and neckwear
available in charcoal, black or platinum and the look becomes
city smart.
Bill Tzizik, CEO of Classic Tuxedo, concurs, "In the
80’s & 90’s, the one button tuxedo was king.
But for 2004, it’s the two-button, three-button & even
the four-button tuxedo that rules. Accessories have also changed
over the years. The vests are fullback and have gone higher
to complement the multi-button tuxedo styles. We are now seeing
them in every shade of gray-dark gray, light gray, silver,
platinum. The Windsor tie, a wide necktie worn in a loose bow
is a popular choice in neckwear right now. And for the first
time in more than 15 years, the lay down collar shirt, available
in grey or off-white as a hip alternative to white, is being
chosen over the wing. "
Some things that never change from year to year are remembering
to wear dress socks not white sweat socks when dressing formally.
And don't wear sneakers with your tux. It's not cool and it
doesn't look good either. Choose patent leather shoes with
a tuxedo. Square toe lace-up styles are hot and are a perfect
finish to your formal wardrobe. To top off your look, do what
50 Cent did at the MTV VMA awards - add a hat. Whether a top
hat for an ultra-formal look or a suave fedora, with the formal
options available today, you can put together a sizzling look
for prom 2004.
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www.classictuxedo.com
