Someone and I have been invited to a party. I can’t remember when we last went to one. To be specific, it is the gala dinner our friend DougT has every year in Hyde Park, Chicago at the ‘butterfly museum’. He and his partner AKA The Wild One are putting together a table of twelve. The thoughtful dear asked us to attend and we said yes.*
This soiree requires a tuxedo. I own one; it resides in a bag in the back of a closet. I better try it on now for size. I recall it was purchased when I lived in Chicago, which is 17 years ago if it’s a day. Someone will point out even if it fits it will be ‘outdated’ and there will be talk. He has a point. I better rent one as he always does.
I am not fond of tuxedos; I associate them with blackjack dealers. Wouldn’t it be jolly good fun to appear to the fundraiser in top hat and tails rather? I think so, but this may be showy and outdoing the host, which would be tactless. Someone is very fond of tuxedos; he will no doubt insist we rent and he will tell me where to do this and when and what I should get. I’ve learned it’s no good trying to find one myself or even get a tux ‘in which I look good’ or feel comfortable so I might as well go with the latest fashion. For me it is darned near impossible not to look like a waiter while wearing one.
I think there is an indirect task to this assignment other than filling chairs at the “A” table: bedazzling the elderly lady museum patron donors to put out as it were. I can be very charming this way. Anything to help out. Even if it means putting on a penguin suit. I just better get that pizza for my pains.
Spo-fans: do you own or rent a tux?
*I hope by early May the faraway kingdom of Chicago has warmed up sufficiently to melt off the snow (it could happen). Our investor at ML resides in Chicago. We will have a ‘hot date’ with him to go over our finances. What I am most looking forward to on this trip is not the dinner or the finances but is getting a proper king-size-titanic-unsinkable-Molly-Brown deep-dish style Chicago pizza. I doubt the butterfly dinner will be serving such.
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March 19, 2018 at 8:17 AM
David
I have only worn one once, the first marriage and we know how that turned out. Early May? In Chicago? I will be there May 3-5.
March 19, 2018 at 8:23 AM
Urspo
That is the same time we shall be there! May 3-5. The dinner is 4 May. Would you have any interest in going? If not, perhaps we can meet for a deepdish pizza!
March 19, 2018 at 9:04 AM
Old Lurker
Mini bloggerpalooza! Invite everybody!
March 19, 2018 at 8:41 AM
Steven
I have never owned or rented a tuxedo; however this may sound strange but I want one, especially now I feel I should get one before I get too ugly (lol), I like to get dressed up and go out to somewhere nice. I haven’t gone out in years to anything where I needed a suit or tuxedo.
March 19, 2018 at 8:43 AM
Urspo
I’ve been told if you are in need of a tuxedo more than 4x a year it is worth buying one than renting them. On the other hand, my grandfather felt all gentleman should have one regardless lest there is a sudden urgency to don one.
March 19, 2018 at 8:41 AM
mitchellismoving
I always rented. Jerry finally bought one because he had so many events. He then wore it 4 times and we both quit our jobs and opened the hotel in Palm Springs. And THEN there was the weight gain, so he gave it away. My uncle had a tux he bought in 1949. At first I thought, well, a classic tux never goes out of style. Then I thought of my uncle. He bought a tux in the early 1950s and wore it all the way through the 1960s. It had gone out of style! I hear those baby blue tuxes with the ruffled shirts are back in style. White patent leather shoes and belt to match! I want to see pictures.
March 19, 2018 at 8:44 AM
Urspo
Someone will use your statement as support I should toss out the old tux and keep renting to keep up with the trends. I recall my tux is a very conservative style hoping it will last out the years.
March 19, 2018 at 9:03 AM
Old Lurker
I had no idea tuxedos even came in styles that could go in or out of fashion.
It is good you are making alternative dinner plans. At a butterfly gala I would expect no more than nectar.
March 19, 2018 at 10:03 AM
Urspo
I remember the tux I rented for my prom back in the mid-70s. Oh the pain. It was baby blue with ruffles. Quite ’70s’ and definitely out of style
March 19, 2018 at 10:05 AM
itsmyhusbandandme
I own one. I have been known to wear the jacket only with a white shirt and Levis. I hope you have a suitable tie?
JP
March 19, 2018 at 10:46 AM
Urspo
I despise tuxedo bow ties as they are clip ons or wraparounds. Oh the horror. I tie my bow ties thank you very much
March 19, 2018 at 10:57 AM
truthspew
Very infrequent need for one. A suit will do in most cases. I find them slightly pretentious though.
March 19, 2018 at 11:57 AM
Urspo
I see waiters and blackjack dealers, neither pretentious in my view 🙂
March 19, 2018 at 12:31 PM
anne marie in philly
NEVER rented or owned. RTG wore a business suit for our informal wedding in 1992.
March 19, 2018 at 1:54 PM
Urspo
Lovely
March 19, 2018 at 12:33 PM
Jeffrey Rich
I have owned several from my time as a professional singer. I’ve also rented many. I love them; when they fit, it’s a really comfortable outfit to wear.
March 19, 2018 at 1:53 PM
Urspo
When they fit – aye there’s the rub
March 19, 2018 at 1:27 PM
larrymuffin
I bought my tuxedo in Chicago when I was posted there in 1994. It still fits and still very much in style. Tuxedos do not go out of style unless yours is satin pink, knowing you is probably that colour. You should try it on make your it fits and if not can it be altered, do you have any good tailors in your neck of the woods? If not renting is the best option. However do not rent your tuxedo shirt just buy a nice one, it makes a world of difference.
March 19, 2018 at 1:53 PM
Urspo
Good advice. My tuxedo is black with a blood red tie and cummerbund
March 19, 2018 at 2:00 PM
larrymuffin
so the question is does it fit!
March 19, 2018 at 3:23 PM
RuralBeard
I have cleared out all of my suits, ties and fancy garb save a utilitarian blazer, in the event I am required to go to the yacht club or Derby. I have no reason to own dress up-clothes since leaving office work. Somewhere in the world, someone is wearing my Tweed!
March 19, 2018 at 6:52 PM
Urspo
I think every man should have a suit, lest there is a sudden need for such, like an unexpected funeral.
March 19, 2018 at 3:40 PM
Steven
Best to rent as long as you know it has been sterilized. You definitely don’t want to show up in your frilly tuxedo shirt. Those disappeared in the mid-80’s. I myself always need the assistance of a friend when choosing a tux as the fads as to what’s in style seem to come and go faster than my internet speed. The cummerbund makes a good crumb catcher. Say “Hello” to Peggy for me when you go to the butterfly museum. 🙂
March 19, 2018 at 6:53 PM
Urspo
The cummerbund (if I recall correctly) holds ticket stubs for the card dealer.
Who is Peggy?
March 20, 2018 at 7:25 PM
Steven
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum where the butterflies are. If that indeed is the place that is hosting the event.
March 19, 2018 at 4:31 PM
mcpersonalspace54
I have only worn one once, and that was at my wedding…and that didn’t turn out so well!
March 19, 2018 at 6:51 PM
Urspo
time to wear another, say at a dinner party, for a new look in life.
March 19, 2018 at 5:55 PM
Willym
My first tuxedo was a rental at Moss Brothers in Covent Garden back in 196.. never mind. I finally bought one when we moved to Chicago in 1994 but don’t recall wearing it that much – though there is a rather nice picture of Laurent’s parents and I on New Year’s Eve 1995. It lasted for a good long while then shrunk in the closet after we got back from Warsaw. I bought another one for Rome and it is still usable and with some tummy sucking in fits. I had to buy a new shirt recently but got a soft one which is more comfortable. The four years we were back in Ottawa I didn’t wear it once – strangely here in Charlottetown I’ve worn it six times in a year and a half.
March 19, 2018 at 5:55 PM
Willym
And as a postscript – I think tuxedos are great – I don’t know a single man who doesn’t look good in one.
March 19, 2018 at 6:54 PM
Urspo
I don’t look so good in one, I look like someone tried to dress me up and failed. I guess this would not be as bed if a) I owned my suit b) it is tailored to my proportions and c) my proportions were better.
March 19, 2018 at 6:12 PM
Practical Parsimony
I love the look of a man in a tuxedo.
March 19, 2018 at 6:50 PM
Urspo
I am glad to know; I don’t know what people (men and women) think how they look.
March 19, 2018 at 6:16 PM
Ron
Will you be wearing your red cha cha heels with your tux? If not, then at least a big, red satin cumberbund. Photos please of the fou fou event please!
March 19, 2018 at 6:50 PM
Urspo
You are a bit obsessed with red cha cha heels…
I have a pair of tuxedo shoes I hope still fit I must pull them out and see
March 19, 2018 at 11:39 PM
Practical Parsimony
Depending on how the shoes might not fit, you can have them stretched if they are leather. If they are too short, there may be no hope. If they are just tight across the top, have them stretched. Then, if they still don’t fit, you have not wasted much money and you have tried.
I was making a Dracula cape for a guy who did not own a white shirt or black shoes. We went to a thrift store and found a tuxedo shirt in his size for $1. They gave him the shoes because someone left them and stole a pair to wear out of the store. They had a hole in the bottom, but he only wore them for Halloween. I do not suggest you buy shirt or shoes at a thrift store, just reminded of a cheap tuxedo shirt. I did make the cummerbund, a red one.
March 19, 2018 at 10:52 PM
wcs
Never been in a tux. It’s something I wouldn’t mind trying, but I doubt I will have an occasion.
March 20, 2018 at 7:42 AM
Urspo
make it a party – tux only !
March 20, 2018 at 1:22 AM
Autolycus
I’ve only ever rented, and that was only a couple of times. These days my social life is, thank goodness, free from such formalities. I have one good ordinary suit for weddings and (these days, sadly more likely) funerals.
But I still have a purple bow tie (college colours, donchaknow, and yes, I tie it myself) that comes out for mildly festive occasions.
March 20, 2018 at 7:43 AM
Urspo
Good for you for having a suit ‘just in case”, and better for the bow tie !
March 20, 2018 at 4:20 AM
Todd Gunther
I had to be fitted for a tux for Coincert Choir in College. I may have worn one to one (or more) of my brother’s wedding(s). Other than those occasions I haven’t had a tux in my life
March 20, 2018 at 7:43 AM
Urspo
that sounds enough
March 20, 2018 at 6:41 AM
Ravager619
I’ve never owned a tuxedo and I think I’ve rented one my entire life.
March 20, 2018 at 7:43 AM
Urspo
did you give it back?
March 20, 2018 at 7:58 AM
Mike in LAS
The husband and I purchased tuxedos this past NYE for the company soiree after renting every year. I was very please to own my first “Vera Wang” that I let everyone within earshot know… Now we have reason to go to fancy things as we have tuxes we must wear. I
March 21, 2018 at 7:13 AM
Urspo
Good for you! That sounds jolly good fun!
March 20, 2018 at 8:38 AM
Mike Warren
No tux, no suit, no new wearer of clothes for that matter. In the mid 1980s Bob and I attended an AIDS fundraiser in DC. Of the hundreds of guests, only three were tux-less. Bob, myself, and a guy who wore a bright red blazer — I wanted to hug him. We weren’t invited back.
“I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes.
— Henry David Thoreau: Walden (1854)
March 21, 2018 at 7:12 AM
Urspo
Mr. Thoreau sounds a bit cheap
March 20, 2018 at 4:14 PM
rjjs8878
My first tux was an Armani I bought at Neiman’s when I went to my first HRC dinner in Dallas. I bought a new one at Hugo Boss a few years ago but seldom wear it given Denver doesn’t have a lot of black tie events.
March 21, 2018 at 7:12 AM
Urspo
Wow, if I had such a suit I would make sure there were events to show it off. Why not organize a fundraiser ?
April 3, 2018 at 1:36 PM
Processorhalt
Pardon me for being a little late commenting on this one.
I own two tuxedos (or “dinner suits” as we Brits would call them). Both bought second hand in the 1990’s when I was singing regularly in choirs. One has a single breasted jacket suitable for warmer weather, the other has a double breasted jacket for colder climes. Both date from the 1970s or earlier and are so old as to have transcended fashion to become classics. And due to their generous cut, I can still still fit into them. These days they only see action once a year for the opera at Glyndebourne where a tuxedo is de rigieur.