How do I recognize quality?

What specific things indicate a good fit?

How many times could I just use a plain pair of black slacks with a vest, formal shirt and bow tie? (My guess is any time the spectators will not be in formal wear.)

I'll say get a good name brand. I got my first tux from a costume company and am working on buying another one. just depends on your style I believe that your supposed to be dressed a bit better then your audience so that you stick out. what indicates a good fit be sure it fits you properly like having the pants stay up. and that it looks good on you.

Why are you buying a tux?

Are you also going to be a food server or caterer?

BDC:

I've seen your pics, and you've got a great style. I have some looks that work for me, but I am anticipating doing some marketing to clients who will have business professional and black tie events.

Good one, though. And yes, if I ever do a complete card routine, I may leave the jacket at home to imitate the look of a dealer off duty from one of our Detroit casinos. But not a waiter, hopefully those days are over.

Dean -

Many men's clothiers deal in formal wear and most formal wear rental stores will sell also. Stick with wool, not polyester. Stay away from ruffled shirts. Nothing wrong with a pin pleated shirt. Most won't, but don't just buy off the rack. Make sure you are fitted.

Someone said once that a pair of black dress slacks will make a good alternative for tux pants but it just ain't so. If you are wearing a black tux jacket black dress slacks will most often not match the jacket. There are different shades of black. However, black slacks and black vest with a formal shirt and bow tie will more often than not be okay for the dealer look.

FWIW

Cheers!

Can't recommend shirt garters and Braces/Suspenders enough. I hate cumber-buns, and I think a tuxedo vest looks better anyway. Shoes are very important. That being said, I wear a nice, black pair of Western Style boots, that I keep just for formal evening wear. I get my Tux shirts 2 for $14 from an Al's outlet near my house, but I keep a nicer one handy (French cuffs), and I Bought my tux from them a few years ago for about $100. Paid $10 for my stud/link set at K&G which is also where I bought my nicer Wingtip shirt with French Cuffs. My personal pet peeve, learn to tie a real bow tie and get one.

Jack,
I hear you on learning to tie a real bowtie (ones that clip I call fake). I learned to tie one, and now they are my preference. I have three so far, but I anytime I get a little ahead, it's back to the shop for another one. =)

I also hate cummer-buns. Vests make a much nicer look, and you can take your jacket off, and still have a sharp, clean, well kept look. I think if you are wearing a cummer-bun, and you take your jacket off, it just looks messy.

Nothing wrong with a Tux though, just be sure you get fitted as said before. And get the pants too! I'm about to get another pair myself. They look so much better.

Danton

You will find hundreds of new tuxes on ebay.

Men's Wearhouse- you'll like the way you look...

Actually, I did get a nice suit from Men's Wearhouse recently, and the price wasn't that bad. They'll make sure you're properly fitted; it's their job. I wouldn't wear suspenders with a tux, but they do work fine with a suit, and you can clip various gaffs or gimmicks onto suspenders quite easily.

You don't need to wear a cumberbund with a tux, either- vests are perfectly acceptable. In fact, if you wear a straight tie, a vest is preferable. At my wedding, the groomsmen wore tuxes with cumberbunds and bow-ties; I wore a straight tie with a vest. I was tempted to slip a TT in my pocket so I could goof around after the ceremony, but figured my bride wouldn't appreciate it...

The trick with suspenders/braces is that they help your pants stay where they belong. I agree that suspenders/braces look kinda wrong with a tux, unless you are wearing a full vest. With a full vest on, no one should be able to see them.

Good point JackScratch, I haven't gone for the suspenders/braces yet, I usually don't have a problem keep my pants in place with a belt (yes, I'm rather thin). But full vest would keep anyone from noticing.

If you shop at the right time, the Mens Wearhouse is great. They are one of my favorite stores actually. However, there isn't one local (it's a 45 minute drive), so I looked for somewhere better and found a local shop which highly impressed me with their service and prices. If you can, look for a good small shop and you will be well pleased.

Proper dress pants don't have belt loops so you'll need to obtain braces. And please get braces, not suspenders as they look a lot more professional.

"Jos. A. Bank" (many locations, just google that phrase) has good formalwear at very reasonable prices (especially during their frequent sales).

Joseph A. Bank is not cheap, but their sales are out of this world. I walked in to look around before a mall job and I saw a $400 blazer for $150. I said can I come back after I get done working and the man told me that it was a 2 hour sale, so I bought the blazer and took it to my car.