Fashion question: Does a tuxedo vest need to be the same color as the bow tie?

[laurajetter]

This question is regarding a formal night on a cruise we're going soon. My mom bought a classic black tuxedo for DS8 which came with a black vest and black bow tie. However DH and DS4 both have turquoise accents in their formal wear and I'm looking to replace at least the bow tie of DS8's tux so they would all coordinate.

The question is would it be okay to get a turquoise bow tie and wear it with the current black vest or is that a faux pas? Would it be better to get a matching turquoise bow tie and vest? Just trying to keep costs down since he really will only be wearing this 2 evenings.

 

[abdmom]

I would keep the black vest and use a turquoise tie. It will look awesome!

You could do the turquoise vest too, but it's probably overkill.

 

[clh2]

I would get the turquoise tie for your DS.

Have a great cruise!

 

[laurajetter]

Thanks for the input! That's what I was leaning toward but I didn't want to do it if it would appear tacky. I'm thinking you won't see a ton of the vest anyway plus it's only for 2 evenings. Off to get just the bow tie!

 

[NotUrsula]

These days, there are tuxedos and there are tuxedos, as the distinctions between the specific names for the various types of men's formal wear are rarely used by most people.

A single-breasted jacket with peaked lapels faced in silk, and a pr. of matching side-striped trousers is the classic Tuxedo. Traditionally, the tie and the vest are supposed to match the lapel facings in both color and fabric. This site gives a full explanation of the the usual details: http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/12/17/black-tie-how-to-wear-tuxedo/

For a child, I'd say go for broke, because a child in a tuxedo is a novelty anyway; the traditional rule is that pre-pubescent boys don't actually participate in affairs that are formal enough to require black tie attire. (Boys participating in weddings normally wore Eton Suits, but only if the wedding was in the daytime; they simply were not invited to festivities that took place after 5, which is when the rest of the men in the party would go with a tuxedo, rather than a morning suit.)

Honestly, unless this is a shipboard wedding where everyone in the party is supposed to be all matchy-matchy, I'd let the kids wear the colored accessories, but do your best to talk your DH out of that . He would look a bit like a prom refugee. Grown men really look more dignified (and handsome!) when the tie matches the lapels.

 

[AnAmericanInDisney]

Didn't the former chauffeur on Downton Abbey get ripped on for wearing a tux to dinner instead of tails?

I'm sure there are "rules," but my boys would not have worn tux's at 8. At 5 or 15, sure, but at 8, they would have run and hid behind a deck chair somewhere. I would go with the pants, jacket, a turquoise shirt and expect the jacket not to last long. Is a tie mandatory?