Looking Ahead To Prom 2014 - Getting Your Hair In Order - The Modern Pompadour

We're gearing up for Prom 2014, and you should be too!  

There are a few different things to think about, and one of them is your haircut. 

Click here for a great article from Fashionbeans about what they call The Modern Pompadour.  It's a bold style, and not one to be written off.  No matter what you choose, make sure your hair is right and and your tux tight (we can help with the last part). 

Tuxedo/Formal Shoes

You have to wear formal shoes with a tuxedo. This means that you need either patent leather or highly-shined shoes.  A shiny shoe goes along with other components of a tuxedo (such as the satin lapel) and creates a completed look.  A formal shoe can be either a slip on or a lace-up (a lace-up shoe is more formal) , and should not be overly embellished.  Simplicity is the key here, as a formal shoe should mimic the tuxedo's timelessness.

You should avoid overly chucky shoes for a classic look. Oh, and formal socks (made of silk or a very light fabric) are a must too.  But you already knew that.

Black Tie Outside The Box?

We are all for taking chances when it comes to formalwear.  A great way to set yourself apart is to take some so-called "risks" with your color choices.

Check out the link here for a story about Gossip Girl's sartorial choices.  We agree that a splash of color can set you apart. Whether to go this far...we leave up to you!

In any event, you can add a little color or a lot - it's an easy way to make your look more "custom" and to show that you've got what it takes to make bold choices.   

Tips To Look (And Stay) Cool In Your Wedding Tuxedo

It's hot out there right now.  Unbearably hot. And most brides didn't know it would be this hot one year ago when they planned their outdoor wedding in the backyard with no trees for shade, or their perfect beach wedding, with a beautifully appointed minimalist altar right on the water, the hot sand radiating and reflecting the sun's rays.  And even if they did know and planned the date anyway, you - as a groom - would have had little power to change it.  So here are some tips and ideas to beat the heat and stay cool in your wedding tux.

1. Wear antiperspirant.  NOT deodorant.  Yes they are different. Use it liberally, and not only under your arms.

   
   
2. Wear an undershirt.  It may sound counterintuitive, but it really does help to keep your tuxedo shirt dry, which will help immensely to prevent sweat stains when you take your tuxedo coat off (which hopefully will be later during the reception, and not during the ceremony.)  If you have a moisture-wicking undershirt, even better.  Plus, if you didn't get in that last workout before the wedding, there's Spanx for men (yes it's true).  These undershirts will make you look slimmer, and feel more confident (providing you can get them over your head). 

   
   
3. Keep yourself hyrdated.  Drink plenty of water.

   
   
4. If you're having an outdoor ceremony, consider having electric fans at the altar.  Do not make your groomsmen fan you as if you are an Egyption king.

   
   
5. Wear appropriate attire.  Check out our blog post on summer tuxedos and skip the black tuxedo - it will retain heat and make you look and feel hotter.

   
   
6. Make sure you have an extra handkerchief (not the one in the pocket of your tuxedo) to wipe the sweat off your face if need be.  Don't wipe your bride's face if you see a cute drop of sweat running down the side of her face.  You may smudge her makeup and she will kill you.

   
   
7. You can get Botox.  We are not recommending this. But people do it. Especially Hollywood types.  

Wedding Reception After Parties

There's no reason that the end of a wedding reception has to be the end of the night.  Increasingly, we are seeing evidence (ahem, from the states of the tuxedo rentals that are being returned after weddings), that couples are breaking through the 11pm barrier and pushing on till the break of dawn.  It's a great way for your guests to enjoy the wedding in a more relaxed atmosphere, especially if your reception was formal.  

Plus, it can be a great way to unwind after the stress of a reception.  One after party we know of was in a hotel suite, and the couple spent the entire party on the balcony, alone with each other, reminiscing about the day, since they had had so little time to actually talk to each other.  How sweet.  We've also seen after parties in pubs on a karaoke night - much more fun than that can hardly be imagined!  You can be as low key or as formal as you want - we've even heard of after parties were the newlywed couple made another grand entrance!

Here are a few tips and ideas to make your wedding reception after hours a hit.

  

VENUE

Some popular places for an after party to be held are:

• a hospitality suite in the hotel where the reception took place
• the hotel lobby bar
• a nearby bar or pub
• a nearby restaurant
• someone's house or backyard

Some of these, such as a hospitality suite, require planning in advance, while others, such as a nearby pub, could be more impromptu.  However, if you want the event to go smoothly, it would serve you will to plan in advance.  For example, you can call a bar in advance and let you know that you'll be bringing a certain amount of people - they may close off a special section for you and/or offer you drink specials.

If you're going to host a hospitality suite in a hotel, you must plan in advance because you'll need to have a stocked bar.  Also, it's important to have some food for your guests to snack on. The same goes if the party will be at someone's house.  These types of after parties are great because you literally can keep on going for as long as you like - at a public venue, eventually you'll have to leave.

What's most important, however, is how close the party is to the reception location, both because the closer it is, the more people will come, and because you don't want people to have to drive if they don't have to - for obvious reasons. If necessary, you should arrange in advance for transportation to the after party if it's needed.

If you're going to have the after party in the hotel lobby, make sure you know around about what time you'll have to clear the lobby and take it to your room. The same goes for bars - this may influence whether you want to just get a suite in a hotel or make other arrangements.  If you're lucky, there may be a casino nearby you could hit up! 

INVITES AND COSTS

A great way to spread the word about the after party is on your wedding website, if you have one.  Word of mouth always works too.  We've even heard of couples providing groomsmen with business sized cards that act as invites, which are passed around at the reception. The one problem with this method, though, is that not everyone may be handed a card - and etiquette requires that everyone that's invited to the reception be invited to the after party. Whether you choose to invite everyone, of course, is up to you.

We know that, generally, you're not going to want everyone at the after party - so structure it in a way that will minimize the chances that Uncle Ebert will show up with his ukulele -  a good way to do this is to have the party in a loud place!  But realistically, yes, the one drunken cousin will show up, but that's what keeps things interesting, isn't it?

If you're setting up a hospitality suite, then the couple (or their families) should be responsible for paying for the drinks and food.  However, if you're heading out to a bar, there's no reason why everyone can't fend for themselves and pay their own way, if that's what you want.

If you are going to pay for people's drinks at a public venue, you should make sure that you have a section reserved just for your party, or that there is some other way of making sure you're not paying for everyone at the bar - wristbands for the wedding guests are a good way to go. Or, you could go all out and rent out the whole place!

ONE LAST NOTE

We know you're going to want to look like Frank Sinatra and loosen your tie.  It's inevitable. However, please, please, please do not do this if you are wearing a pre-tied bowtie.  If you are wearing a pretied bowtie, get a regular bowtie and switch it out right before the party - we won't tell. 



YES



NO!!







DOs and DON'Ts of Wearing a Tuxedo



A well fitting tuxedo creates a classic look



We want you to look your best in your tuxedo!  Here are some tips to keep you on track.

DOs 

• Wear formal shoes - preferably black lace-up patent leather oxfords, with the emphasis on the patent leather
• Wear suspenders if you want to - tuxedo pants don't have belts, so there's no reason not to
• Wear a white pocket handkerchief to bring together the look
• Make sure your tuxedo is fitted correctly - about a half inch of your shirt cuff should extend past the end of the coat jacket when your arms are down
• Wear black formal socks
• Wear special cufflinks to set yourself apart
• Remember to check the pockets of your tux rental before returning to the store- you don't want to forget your camera or anything else

DON'Ts

• Don't use the plastic buttons of the tuxedo shirt if it has them - use studs instead - they come with the tux rental - but to make it easy, put the studs in the shirt before you put your shirt on - that way, you can just close the shirt up as if you were using buttons 

• Don't wear cufflinks backwards - the cufflinks should be facing up

• Don't button the bottom button of a 2 or 3 button tuxedo

• Don't wear a black shirt with a tuxedo unless it's a look that you're specifically going for (the look, by the way, unless you're a rock star, is that of someone that does not know how to dress properly or refuses to do so)
• Don't wear brown or white socks with a black tuxedo (Just because MJ did it doesn't mean that you can)



JUST DON'T!!

• Don't take off your bowtie and leave it hanging around your neck (like you're trying to look like Frank Sinatra) if you're wearing a pre-tied bowtie.  If you really want to rock the look later in the night, you can bring along a regular bowtie and switch it out
• Don't wear a cummerbund with the pleats facing down

Don't Lose the Engagement Ring!







Check out this great post from Jewelers Mutual about keeping tabs on the engagement ring before you propose. It's got a lot of good tips.





We've heard a lot of stories where guys have gotten dressed up in a tuxedo to pop the question, which is a great idea, but there are a lot of other great ways to make the moment special and memorable.

It's usually a good idea to make the proposal something personal - try not to do it in a particular way just because you think that's the way it should be done.  The unexpected is always more fun!

If you haven't gotten the ring yet, Jewelers Mutual has a good dictionary of terms here.

Once she's said YES, it's time to start thinking about the tux! Remember, Metropolitan Formalwear's got you covered: www.metroformal.com.

Prom (Or Any Other Event for That Matter) Dinner Etiquette

There are a lot of dining etiquette guides out there, and most people know the basics - hold open doors, ladies sit and order first, no elbows on the table, don't talk when there's food in your mouth, etc. Lots of people are more advanced, knowing the "bread on your left, drink on your right" rule. Still others know the difference between a dessert spoon, a tea spoon, and a soup spoon.

That's all important, and it's all well and good, and if you want to find out what the proper way to eat a meal at a restaurant is, you can easily find lots of information out there.

But we thought we'd offer some additional tips for you to come off looking polished at your fancy dinner. These aren't all really etiquette tips per se, but you should follow them anyway if you want to come off looking like a gentleman, or even just a polite guy.

Remember not to drink and drive

• If you're driving, take your coat off - it will prevent it from getting wrinkled.  If you're in the back of a limo, you can leave your coat on.  (If you find yourself driving a limo, by the way, your coat should be on).
• When you're walking on a sidewalk, you should always walk between a woman and the curb.  This is an old rule from the time there were horses on the street - the idea was to protect the woman from mud, splashes, etc.  The rule still stands - cars can splash too.

Small gestures can say a lot

• When walking to the table, the lady walks ahead of the man.  He should pull her chair out for her when they get to the table.  If you want to be really formal, anytime a lady gets up from the table, the men should stand up slightly in their seats.  If it's a big group, only her date and the man sitting next to the woman leaving the table need to rise.

• When you get to the restaurant DO NOT drape your coat jacket over the back of your chair. Also, if you are wearing a long tie, DO NOT throw the tie over your shoulder in an effort to prevent it from being stained.  You'll look like a toolbox.

Give the server 30 seconds
of your attention

• When the waiter is telling your table the specials, please look at him/her, and don't zone out.  It's rude.  Also, you may end up hearing something that you like, and if you haven't paid attention you will have to ask the waiter to go through all the specials again.  That's boring for them. Also, if the waiter doesn't tell you how much the special is and you want to order it, it's fine to ask for the price, just do it directly and casually.



Bread - left -- Drinks - right


• Ok, here's the bread on your left, drink on your right rule: your water glass is on the right of your plate - here's a way to remember: make an "OK" sign with both hands, palms facing each other. Your left hand will form a "b" and your right hand will form a "d". Your bread (b) is on the left, and your drinks (water, wine, etc.) (d) are on the right.

• If someone asks for salt, you should pass both the salt and the pepper - they stay together- and don't use them before you pass them on.

• We hate to be a broken record, but please carry some mints.  If the restaurant is loud, you'll be leaning in close to your date to have a conversation.  Sometimes the pleasure of enjoying the taste of your food should take a back seat to having fresh breath.  Plus, you may need the mints after coffee (and later).

Also, remember to hold open doors, both car and restaurant.

Guys - Look Your Best for Prom Photos

There are a lot of articles out there about how girls can look their best in photos.  For example, http://www.promden.com/prom-night-photos.shtml and http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2498493/how_to_look_good_in_photos.html

But we really couldn't find that much information for guys.  So, we put together our thoughts: 


Well fitting clothes will ensure
you look your best



Before the photo is taken:


• Wear a tux that fits.  If your clothes are too tight or too loose, you'll look off.  For your shirt, you should be able to slip two fingers between the buttoned collar and your neck.  Next, pull your pants up, it's a formal occasion.  And the sleeves of your tux should end so that some of the shirt underneath shows.





Don't be afraid to use a little
product in your hair


• Yes, you should probably get a haircut.  But don't do it right before prom - do it at least a week before, even two would be good.  Some say the faux hawk is out.  We say, if you like it, go for it.  Is anyone going to argue with this guy?

• Make sure you bring plenty of mints.  No, your bad breath won't show up in a photo.  Yes, it will show up in the disgusted look your date is making.





Don't forget to smile!

• Practice smiling.  Read this article on looking good in photos:  http://www.askmen.com/grooming/project/7_4-steps-look-good-in-photos.html  Follow what it says, even though it seems weird. 

While the photo is being taken:





Have fun!  It's Prom!


• Relax, it's just a picture. Stand up straight, but don't be unnecessarily stiff. Keep your chin down, chest out, shoulders back.  But not too much. You don't want to look posed.

• Smile.  If you read the article above, by now you've perfected it.  Don't try to look like a thug if you aren't. 


• Yes, you can touch your date.  Don't be awkward, you'll end up looking like Napolean Dynamite.

• Have fun.  That's what this night is all about, isn't it?



After the photo is taken:

• Don't worry if the photo didn't turn out well. There will be plenty more opportunities for you to dress up and get photographed.  Use this as a learning experience, and make sure next time it turns out better. And it probably isn't as bad as these: http://awkwardpromcouples.blogspot.com/

Prom 2011 Trends and Tips

We're right in the middle of prom season and we've seen some trends that we want to share with you, as well as some tips that will help you look your best on prom night!

• Make sure to try on your complete tuxedo when you pick it up.  You want to make sure that you feel comfortable, that your shoe size hasn't changed on you, and that you're ready to go.

• A great look for prom is a black tuxedo with a vest and a long tie.  Many times, the color of the vest and tie match the color of a guy's date's dress.  However, a lot of guys are foregoing wearing a colored vest, and just wearing a colored tie and matching pocket square.

• We're seeing a lot more black bowties this year - it's a classic look that will never go out of style. Pair it with a black vest, and the look is guaranteed to be Bond - not waiter.

Remember, the best accessory is confidence - so make sure you pick a tux in which you feel your best!