Tux Questions: Answered.

GQ has all of your tux questions answered.

Question: I wore my white dinner jacket when I got married in June, and now my boss’s daughter is having a black-tie wedding. Is it appropriate for a guest to wear a white jacket?

Answer: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, it is considered proper by the authoritarians to wear a white dinner jacket or mess jacket in place of a black dinner jacket. So if you feel the need to stand out, this is a good way to do it—far better than with the folly of “creative black tie.” I find white more joyous.

Question: I've received an invitation for a wedding starting at 1:30 p.m. Dress is black-tie, but given the timing, I would prefer to wear a morning suit. Would this be seen as a faux pas by the bride's and groom's families?

Answer: You would be dressed properly by traditional standards, but such standards are superseded by the wishes of the celebrants. Rule number one is never to show up the bride and groom. Wear a tux and dark glasses and pretend it's after six.

Question: What color socks are considered appropriate to wear with a white tux? White, black—does it matter?

Answer: Everything matters. If you mean a white tux jacket with black trousers, then you should wear black socks. If you have one of those showbizzy all-white ensembles in the manner of the great Cab Calloway, then wear white shoes and socks.

image from men.style.com