Looking for a quality tuxedo at an affordable price? Check out Suitsupply!
Here at The Modest Man, we’ve covered Suitsupply’s custom program, including a custom suit, overcoat, pants, shirts, and jackets.
Today, I’ll share my experience with Suitsupply’s formalwear. I received this Black Havana Double-Breasted Tuxedo in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
Tuxedo Style
This tuxedo is double-breasted with a 6×1 button pattern. This means that there are six buttons but only 1 of the buttons is functional (i.e. meant to be buttoned).
This style isn’t something you see every day, but it is still a traditional choice.
One great thing about a double-breasted tux is that you don’t need to wear a waist covering, such as a vest or a cumberbund, since the jacket is always meant to be worn buttoned up — even when sitting.
The wide peak lapels have a silk grosgrain facing that matches the buttons and trouser stripe.
Tuxedo Fabric
This tuxedo is made from wool, linen, and silk. The fabric has a slight sheen to it.
Being a linen blend, this tuxedo wrinkles quite easily. You can see the wrinkles in the trousers.
While wrinkles are just a natural feature of linen, this garment wrinkles much more easily than my linen blend suit.
I find myself having the pants and the back of the jacket frequently (with a clean pillowcase between the iron and the tuxedo fabric to prevent damaging the garment).
That said, the fabric does look and feel nice. However, I think I’d probably prefer a tux without linen.
Tuxedo Fit
This tuxedo fits me quite well, especially for an off-the-rack piece.
This tux is a size 36 short. While I could’ve gone with the regular length jacket, I prefer the shorter length. It’s still long enough to cover my backside without going much further.
The only alterations done to the jacket were shortening the sleeves and moving out the inside anchor button a little bit.
The pants were hemmed and the waist was brought in, but I think that they could possibly stand to be altered further to create a cleaner legline (the silhouette isn’t exactly as I’d like it to be).
However, they are certainly wearable as is.
Suitsupply Tuxedo Features
Here are some of my tuxedo’s main features:
Buttons/Buttonholes
Faced buttons are one feature that sets a tuxedo apart from a regular business suit. All of my tuxedo’s exterior buttons are faced with grosgrain silk that matches the lapels.
Underneath the grosgrain these buttons are plastic. I would’ve preferred metal button shanks, but it’s really not a big deal (no one can tell).
The inside anchor button is made from clear plastic, as are the six suspender buttons on the waistband.
Each lapel on the jacket has a slanted functioning buttonhole, allowing you to wear a boutonniere.
However, there is no boutonniere loop meaning that the flower stem, whether real or artificial can occasionally shift into view.
Lapels
The jacket lapels are wide and dramatic.
While the lapels are not as artistically shaped and finished as a bespoke jacket’s would be, they have a fantastic belly (i.e. curve) to them.
Lining
I was relieved to discover that this tuxedo has a Bemberg lining. Bemberg, or Cupro, is a hybrid fabric derived from the production of cottonseed oil.
Ever since I read this article about Bemberg, I try to make sure I that all my new suits, if possible, have a Bemberg lining.
I remember being amazed at how much difference a Bemberg lining makes in terms of comfort. It is so much better than polyester (which can make you feel like you’re wearing a plastic bag).
Side Adjusters
Traditionally, one shouldn’t wear a tuxedo with a belt. These days you can wear a black dress belt with a simple metal buckle, although I wouldn’t recommend it.
Tuxedos are meant to be as streamlined and elegant as possible. The thought is, since your pants already fit you, why wear a belt?
Not only that, suspenders, the classic option to keep your pants up, are better at keeping your pants at your natural waist. Pants that sit on your natural waist (higher than most guys wear their pants today) create a longer legline which is supposed to make you look taller and more fit.
Although your waistband can be quite loose while wearing suspenders, side adjusters can help you more comfortably navigate marginal weight gain or loss.
They function with a small band of fabric that loops through a buckle.
Pockets
This tuxedo jacket has jetted pockets, as it should. Pockets with flaps are too casual for black tie.
The welted breast pocket is slightly curved. This barchetta style adds life to the jacket.
The trousers have two front pockets that open at the seam, creating a streamlined effect. There are also two back pockets that close with grosgrain-faced buttons.
Suitsupply Tuxedo Shirt Review
With the tuxedo, Suitsupply also offered me a tuxedo shirt. This White Slim Fit Tuxedo Shirt is crafted from fine Egyptian cotton and fits me well.
After trying it on in the store, Suitsupply altered it by bringing in the body slightly.
One thing I like about this shirt is that it’s machine washable. However, even after washing in cold and hang-drying, I feel like it shrank slightly.
The shirt has small vertical pleats and room for four shirt studs, in lieu of buttons, on the front.
Suitsupply Tuxedo Shirt Studs Review
Finally, the shirt studs Suitsupply sent me are sterling silver and set with black stones (I believe they’re onyx).
I like these shirt studs a lot. They really are a nice finishing touch to the black tie look.
My Recommendations
I’ve already had 4-5 occasions to wear this tuxedo.
I really like it! When I’m wearing it I feel like a million bucks. Well, at least like $500k 😃.
For what it’s worth, I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on it so far.
I packed it into a suitcase to The Belvedere Bash hosted by The Gentleman’s Gazette and, after a quick spot-ironing, it was good to go.
Oh yeah, I did have to sew on the anchor button after it almost came off after a few wears.
Pros:
- Accessible price (around $900) for what you get
- Quality materials
- Bemberg (Cupro) lining
- In-house alterations
- Very good in-store customer service
- Good variety of off-the-rack options
- Classic tuxedo features
Cons:
- Fabric wrinkles easily
- Plastic shanks on buttons
- Trousers fit could be better (but could also probably be fixed by a tailor)
- Lapels bunch up when sitting down (likely a feature of the button pattern, not the tuxedo construction itself)
All things considered after multiple wears over the course of the last couple of months, I can confidently say that I recommend Suitsupply’s tuxedos.
For more info about how to wear a tuxedo, check out my guide here.
Antonio says
Just wondering, were the studs included with the shirt or is that an add on? I figure it’s not included but their website doesn’t specify.
Thanks!
Ryan Hallstrom says
They were included with the samples I received, but I don’t think they come standard with the shirt.
Larry says
The trousers are much too “slim” cut for formal wear. Even the photos of yourself, who isn’t by any means of larger build the trousers are much too tapered. They make your shoes look size 12…