Tuxedo Terms

Ascot
A tie similar to a scarf looped below the chin.

Besom Pockets
A flat front pocket that has no flap on the outside. They are normally sewn shut and are just for looks.

Blucher Toe
A shoe with a one piece leather construction

Boutonniere
A small floral arrangement worn on your jackets left lapel.

Cummerbund
A pleated piece of clothing worn around your waist instead of a vest. The color usually matches the tie.

Cutaway
A formal coat worn at daytime weddings. It will have a long square tail and will be worn with striped pants.

Double Breasted Tuxedo
A tuxedo jacket in which one half of its front panel folds over the other. It will have two rows of buttons but only one row of button holes.

French Cuffs
Cuffs that are cut long so that you can fold them over and hold them in place with cuff links.

Inseam
The measurement taken from the crotch of the pants to where they stop at your shoe.

Insleeve
The measurement from the underarm to the cuff of a jacket.

Lapel
The finished collar of your coat.

Notch Lapels
The opening in the lapel of a jacket designed to hold a boutonnière.

Outseam
The measurement from the top of your waistline and going down to where the pants will stop at your shoe.

Patent Leather
A shoe leather that is hard, smooth and can be buffed to a high gloss.

Peak Lapel
A wide, angled tuxedo collar with a peak on either side.

Pocket Square
A handkerchief worn in the upper left pocket instead of a boutonnière.

Single Breasted Tuxedo
A tuxedo jacket that has no overlap and only one row of buttons.

Stroller
A walking coat worn with striped pants for a daytime wedding ceremony.

Studs
Formal shirt fasteners that are a form of jewelry.

White Tie
The most formal of formal wear. A white tie event is a full dress event.

Winged Collar
A collar that stands up with tips that fold down.

Worsted Wool
Long wool fibers that are used in tuxedo construction to form a smooth material.