A photo taken from the back of the hall: two men on stage, the same black tuxedo, the same black bow tie. One is the groom, the other the MC, and guests at the far tables have to guess. It is not rare, because the tuxedo is by nature a formal dress with a shared "uniform". To stand apart while keeping to etiquette, you need to know the five tuxedo styles for the groom below, and where the MC should deviate.
The short answer
The five tuxedo styles for the groom and the MC worth considering are the black single-breasted tuxedo with satin lapels, the shawl-collar tuxedo, the three-piece tuxedo with a waistcoat, the midnight-navy tuxedo with silk lapels, and the bold-colour tuxedo such as white with black lapels or deep purple. The groom chooses the style that fits the wedding concept; the MC should sit one step off the groom's tone.
1. Black single-breasted tuxedo with satin lapels: the original evening formalwear
The tuxedo (called a dinner jacket in British English) is formalwear for the black-tie dress code, for the evening. The original is a single-breasted jacket with one or two buttons, peak or notch lapels faced in satin, jetted pockets without flaps, and trousers with a satin stripe down the leg, worn with a black bow tie, a white shirt and glossy leather shoes. The classic version also keeps the back whole, with no vent, preserving a clean back line.
This style suits a groom who likes tradition, a hotel or ballroom reception, and every build, since it uses no unusual cuts. What to watch is the hour: a black tuxedo worn to a midday ceremony in harsh sun looks "out of time". For Mon Amie's made-to-measure tuxedo, the price is by cloth line as with a suit, plus a tuxedo finishing surcharge of VND 2,500,000 per suit.
2. Shawl-collar tuxedo: one rolled lapel, a soft line in photographs
A shawl collar has a lapel that rolls round in one unbroken curve, with no notch like a notch lapel, so the curve flows from the neck down the chest. On a tuxedo this is a softer note than the peak lapel: in photographs it gives a classic, elegant feel rather than a sharp-edged one. The model in the photo below is a black shawl-collar tuxedo with a black bow tie and a pleated shirt.
This style suits a groom with a fuller body and rounded shoulders, because the curve of the lapel makes the upper body look smooth. If you are slim with sloping shoulders, a peak lapel builds the shoulder better. Pairing: a pleated shirt or a plain stand-collar shirt, a black bow tie in the same material as the lapel, and a flat-folded white pocket square. A common mistake is a bow tie that is too wide, hiding the whole rolled lapel and erasing the very curve that makes this style worth choosing.
3. Three-piece tuxedo with waistcoat: for a long day from the ceremony to greeting the tables
The three-piece tuxedo adds a waistcoat in the same cloth, usually a low V or a U neckline, covering the waistband in place of a cummerbund. This style suits a groom with an afternoon ceremony that runs into an evening reception, because when it gets hot you can take off the jacket and the waistcoat and shirt remain formal enough to greet the tables. The waistcoat also keeps the shirt tails from puffing out at the waist, a detail very easy to see in full-length photographs.
For the MC the three-piece has another advantage: the MC stands at the lectern for the whole event, and the waistcoat holds the shape of the torso even when the jacket is unbuttoned. Note that the waistcoat must cover the waistband by at least a few centimetres; if it is short it exposes the shirt between the waistcoat and the trousers. A waistcoat that is too tight strains the buttons and creates horizontal creases; tell the stylist if you intend to gain or lose weight before the wedding day.
4. Midnight-navy tuxedo with silk lapels: black with depth
Midnight navy is an extremely deep navy blue that from a distance looks almost black, but under lights and a lens still shows a hint of blue, so the colour has more depth than a flat block of black. Two reference sets from Mon Amie: a navy tuxedo with black silk lapels, a white bow tie and pocket square (photo below); and a navy blue tuxedo with a satin collar and a black necktie.
This style suits a groom who wants to differ from "uniform black" while staying correct for black tie. Pairing: black silk or satin lapels, a white shirt, a black bow tie, glossy black shoes. Note that in natural light the blue shows more clearly; if you stand beside groomsmen in pure black, take a test group photo before you decide. If you are still weighing colour, the article What Colour Suit Should the Groom Wear? picks by skin tone and build.
5. Bold-colour tuxedo: white with black lapels, deep purple, velvet for the MC and themed receptions
This group includes the white tuxedo with black lapels, the deep purple tuxedo with satin trim and the double-breasted velvet tuxedo. The photo below shows a white tuxedo with black lapels, a black shirt and a burgundy bow tie, a bold pairing. It is the choice of a groom with a taste of his own, an outdoor reception or a special theme, and the natural choice of the MC because it makes the MC clearly different from the groom on stage.
The rule for bold colours: one accent only. When the jacket already carries the colour, keep the bow tie and pocket square restrained and the cufflinks simple. A white tuxedo shows stains easily and is easily confused with the bride's gown, so it usually goes to the MC or an outdoor reception already discussed with the family. If you only need to wear it once, you can look at the suit rental service at the showroom, with the price quoted by model when you get in touch.
Quick summary table
| Style | Suits | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Black, satin lapels, single-breasted | A groom who likes tradition, hotel receptions | Suits every build; evening only |
| 2. Shawl collar | Fuller body, rounded shoulders | Moderate bow tie so the rolled lapel shows |
| 3. Three-piece with waistcoat | Afternoon ceremony into an evening reception, an MC on his feet for long | Waistcoat covers the waistband, close fit |
| 4. Midnight navy, silk lapels | A groom who wants to differ from black yet stay black tie | Test photo beside groomsmen in black |
| 5. Bold colour | MC, themed receptions, outdoors | One accent, discuss with the family first |
Tips from Mon Amie's master tailors
- The MC sits one step off the groom. A black groom, then a navy or charcoal MC; a coloured groom, then a black MC. Guests far away tell who is who at the very first glance.
- The MC needs a more comfortable sleeve and underarm than the groom. The MC raises an arm to hold the microphone and turns constantly for two to three hours; tell the tailor so enough ease is left at the underarm and shoulder.
- The groom fits the whole outfit at once. Jacket, trousers, shirt, bow tie and shoes must all be present at the fitting; a bow tie a centimetre off changes the whole face in a photograph.
- Ask the time of the reception first, choose the colour second. The tuxedo is evening formalwear; for a midday ceremony a lighter-coloured suit is more fitting.
- Keep your measurements. Mon Amie takes more than 30 measurements and keeps them for life, so making another suit for another occasion later does not need measuring from scratch.
Frequently asked questions
What colour suit looks good on a groom?
Black, midnight navy and charcoal grey are the three safe tones for an evening reception; in the daytime, light grey, beige and cream fit. Choose by skin tone, the time of the reception and the wedding flower palette; see also the article Wedding Palette.
Is a black groom's suit old-fashioned?
No. Black is the original colour of evening formalwear. To feel newer while staying black, change the details: shawl collar, waistcoat, velvet bow tie, pleated shirt. A good groom's suit usually comes down to fit rather than novelty.
Can a white or cream groom's suit be made as a tuxedo?
Yes, but it needs the right setting: ivory or cream suits a daytime outdoor reception. Pure white is easily confused with the bride's gown and shows stains; the article White Tuxedo for the Groom distinguishes clearly between ivory, pure white and a white jacket alone.
Should the groom choose a tuxedo or a regular suit?
A formal evening reception calls for a tuxedo; a daytime reception, or a wish to wear it again after the wedding, calls for a regular suit. The article Wedding Suit: Tuxedo or Regular Suit? gives criteria for choosing.
Choosing among tuxedo styles for the groom or for the MC is, in the end, choosing how you want to appear on one particular evening. You can book a fitting so the stylist can fit each style on you in person, or ask the Groom Styling service to coordinate the bow tie, pocket square, cufflinks and a plan for the groomsmen party with the wedding concept.