Tuxedo Dictionary

Accessories

Tie, cummerbund/vest, shirt, gloves, hat, shoes, handkerchief, cuff links, studs, cane, spats, socks, suspenders or ascot.

Armbands

An elastic band worn on the upper arm over the shirt and under the coat to shorten a shirtsleeve. Especially useful with boy’s size shirts.

Ascot

A tie with broad ends hanging from a knot, secured with a stickpin or tie tack. Usually worn with a wing tip shirt and a Cutaway jacket, usually for daytime weddings.

Band Collar Shirt

A tuxedo shirt with no collar. This shirt can have a pleated or plain front. Worn with a button cover or collar band. Also referred to as Mandarin Collar.

Barrel Sleeve

Ends of jacket sleeve have a cuff that is unfolded and fastened with a button.

Besom Pockets

Self fabric or satin strip on top of pocket. Double besom is two strips, one over pocket opening and one on top of pocket.

Black Tie

Term for formal evening attire, usually a black tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, white shirt, black cummerbund and tie, or matching tie, cummerbund or vest, and formal shoes (The term “black tie” on an invitation connotes formality and indicates that you must wear a tuxedo). “Black Tie Invited” means tuxedos are preferred, but dark suits are acceptable.

Button Cover

A decorative accessory worn over top button of the shirt. Usually worn on band collar shirts.

Boutonniere

Flower worn on the left of the lapel.

Bow Tie

A self-tie bow tie is a ribbon of fabric that is tied around the collar symmetrically into a bow shape. A pre-tied bow tie is already tied into a bow and then clips on. See instructions for how to tie a bow tie.

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