This week at SuitUpp, we’ve written about the Fabrics used in Tuxedos, and Tuxedo Maintenance Tips. We’ll wrap the week up by talking about single and double breasted tuxedos.

Single Breasted Tuxedo

A single breasted tuxedo (as shown above), just like a suit, will have the suit buttoned-up right in the front. This type of tuxedo is usually worn unbuttoned (which means that it will look less bulky – good for men with a larger frame). If you are going to wear your tuxedo unbuttoned, you should try to wear a vest underneath. The nice thing about the single breasted tuxedo is that it can also be worn buttoned up (depending on your own taste).

Double Breasted Tuxedo

A double breasted tuxedo will have a flap come over so that it is buttoned on the right side ( remember the picture’s left is your right – you probably knew this, but just in case).

This type of tux will make you look like you have a bigger frame and so it is a great choice for men with smaller frames. If you are wearing a double breasted tux, make sure to button up (this is mandatory).

Polyester / Polywool Blend
Polyester tuxes are really the lowest in cost. This factor is important for individuals that will be wearing their tuxedos more often. For example, if you are a musician in an orchestra, this is important to you. This type of fabric will also last longer but is not the smoothest.

100% Worsted / Burlington Wool
When you go to rent a tuxedo, this is the type of fabric that you’ll see most often. The fabric is still affordable but is more soft than polyester. Typically, 60 threads per inch is what you would expect.

Super 80, Super 100 and super 120
As with suits, wool based is the most extravagant and nicest type there is (this basically means that you will have to spend more $). Just as with suits, super 80 means 80 threads per square inch, 100 and 120 are 100 threads per square inch and 120 threads per square inch respectively. The higher the thread count, the softer the suit will be (and typically more expensive).

Since an occasion to wear a tuxedo doesn’t come up as often as an occasion to wear a suit, the tuxedo does spend quite a bit of time in storage. For this reason, it is important that you know how to store it properly.

1) Try to dry-clean your tuxedo before hanging it in storage. This is assuming that you are not going to wear it again next week. In other words, if its going to be stored for a while, then it should be dry-cleaned before it gets hanged.

2) When you are hanging your tuxedo, make sure that there is nothing in the pockets and nothing that would cause the cloth to get deformed in shape.

3) Hang your tuxedo in a dry location (i.e. avoid moisture).

4) Use an airtight suit bag for the storage and make sure to drop in some moth protection in order to be extra safe. For more info on this, make sure to read our article about preventing moth holes in your clothing.

5) Unbutton the tuxedo before hanging it so that it will fall back into its original tailored form.

6) When hanging it, make sure that it is not squished in your closet.

7) Use a nice and thick hanger without pointy edges so it doesn’t damage the tux.

As for other maintenance tips, if you do stain your tuxedo, try using a moist cloth (cold water) and try to spot clean gently. This is of course a temporary measure so you don’t have to run out of the event to the dry cleaners. Tuxedos are a valuable asset so if you do stain yours, do visit the dry cleaners as soon as you can.