Tuxedos and suit look quite alike and this gives rise to a lot of confusion so in this blog we decided to discuss what exactly is the difference between the two.
Since it is easiest to start with the difference in their physical composition, let’s start with that.
How are tuxedo and suit different from each other physically?
The primary difference between the two is that a tux has the presence of satin. The satin could be used on the lapels, on the buttons or on the pockets. Sometimes, there might even be a satin strip along the length of the trousers.
However, suits have a more formal look as they do not have satin. Even the buttons are either plastic buttons or self-buttons (made from the same material as that of the coat),
Though there are slight exceptions to the rule and there are some tux which have a very little satin, but you can still count on this point to differentiate between the two.
Apart from fabric, there are other factors as well.
For example, you can have coats in lighter shades however for a tux, the usual color to stick to is black and midnight blue. Suits have flapped pockets while tux has jetted pockets and while wearing a pocket square with a suit, you can experiment with different colors but for a tux, you need to stick to plain white.
What is the difference between the appearance of a suit and a tux?
While some people think that a coat and a tux look alike there is a significant difference in the feel of both attires. While a coat is something you could wear to an office or to someone’s wedding, wearing a tux means you are serious about dressing up. It carries a statement that is only fit for special occasions.
So, if you are attending someone else’s wedding or a party, a tux might be a little too much. On the other hand, if you are a host of an event or it’s your wedding day, then wearing a coat might make you appear a little dressed down.
So remember, that tux is best to commemorate an occasion and for other events, you can easily opt for a very stylish suit. There is a difference in the message that the two attires send across.
For example, on your wedding, you’ll want to wear something that sets yourself and this day apart from the rest. That’s where a tuxedo comes in.
A suit says that you are a very well put together, competent, dashing, and decent member of society. That’s why they’re great for the workplaces and slightly less formal social functions.
But a tuxedo says a lot more than that. A tuxedo says “I have come to share this moment with you and this is my moment. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be today and I deserve to look the best.”
What is the difference between accessories for a suit and a tux?
When it comes to the accessories, tuxedos are traditionally worn with bow ties and a vest or cummerbund, while suits are traditionally worn with a long tie, alone or with a matching vest.
Now there are exceptions to this rule. You can wear a bow tie with a suit as well or a long tie with a tuxedo. You can. But here we are talking about what is more common and traditional though there are exceptions to every rule.
You could also try out a different class of luxury ties Hexties that go well with both.
What is the best time to wear a suit and a tux?
Because tux is for your grand evenings, it is considered inappropriate to wear them before 5 pm while suits can be worn at any time of the day without drawing too much attention.
Logically, for big evenings like dinner dates, you are good to go with a tux. But for day functions, it is best to stick to a suit.
What is more expensive? A tux or a suit?
If you plan to buy a tuxedo, it will make sense to invest in a quality tuxedo as most people you are going to hang out with, would be capable enough to tell the difference. But more importantly, you will be able to tell the difference.
And considering that the entire point of tux is to ‘dress up’, you should not compromise. That being said, a tux will definitely cost more than a suit.
That’s because a great tux is not just about a great fit but also about using the right fabric material. And that is going to cost a bit.
While you could compromise a bit on suit’s fabric, as a good fit can compensate for the fabric, that is not possible for a tux.
If you think cost is an issue for you, but you still want to try a tux for that one special night, it will be best to rent one.
