FAQ / FYI

To help prepare you for your special day, we have provided a list of wedding attire "How To's" and "FAQ's" for your convenience.


How To Rent a Tux

1. Location: Found in the historical downtown of St. John’s, NL, The Model Shop is your one-stop shop to find the perfect tuxedo – guaranteed in stock in and your size - for your special day!

2. Style: Our team of wedding specialists will assist you in selecting the perfect wedding attire for you and your entire wedding party. Our wedding specialists will find the right style and comfort to suit your particular wedding theme and/or location!

3. Fit: We encourage you to come in anytime for a measurement and bring along your groomsmen to be fitted as well.

4. Pickup: All tuxedos and accessories (shoes, cufflinks and so forth) are available anytime before your wedding. We assure you, and your entire wedding party, will have a hassle-free tuxedo experience!

5. Return: Tuxedos are to be returned the day after the wedding. If your wedding is on a Saturday, please return on Monday as our store is closed on Sundays. One person may return multiple tuxedos on behalf of others who have departed.


Special Occasion Facts

The following guidelines cover the most common types of formalwear for a special event:

Black Tie: Tuxedos are mandatory. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to wear a black tie – moreover, you are required to wear a tuxedo and proper accessories.

Black Tie Preferred/Requested: Basically, your host would prefer that you wear a tuxedo, however it is not mandatory.

Black Tie Invited/Optional: While tuxedos are not mandatory, you will likely see more of them than suits – however, choose at your own discretion.

White Tie: This is a very formal event: black tails with black trousers, white pique wing collar shirt, white pique vest and bow tie, pearl jewelry, formal shoes, and white gloves. You may also wear a silk scarf, top hat, or cane – if you wish.

Cruise Ship/Formalwear: Any tuxedo is recommended, excluding tails. White or ivory dinner jackets are also appropriate.  


Formalwear Terms … to make life a little easier

4-in-hand tie: A necktie fastened in a slipknot like a man’s regular necktie.

Ascot: A wide scarf or necktie, knotted so that its broad ends are laid flat upon each other, usually worn with a cutaway tuxedo.

Band Bow Tie: A bow tie with an adjustable band that wraps around the collar of the shirt and connects with a clasp.

Besom Pocket: A very narrow piping above the pocket slit. Can be satin besom or self besom, with flap.

Button Cover: An ornamental device worn at the neck of the shirt, clipping onto the button of the collar.

Collar: The turned-back material of the coat that falls around the back of the neck. Can be made of satin or the same material as the coat.

Crosswick (Banded Collar) Shirt: A formal shirt with banded collar only, no wings. Worn with fancy button covers and usually features a wide pleated front.

Cuff Links: Ornamental device of two parts joined by a shank, chain, or bar for passing through button holes to fasten the shirt cuffs.

Cummerbund: A broad sash worn over the waistband of the pants. Pleats are worn with the opening facing up.

Cutaway: Also known as the 'morning suit'. Usually a dark grey coat worn traditionally in the morning for weddings. The coat is tailcoat length, buttons in the front and angles to the tail. Worn with striped pants, wing collar shirt, pearl grey vest and ascot tie.

Dinner Jacket: A white or contrasting jacket worn with black trousers.

Double Besom Pocket: A pocket with two narrow pipings in satin or self besom above and below the slit, without flap.

Double Breasted Coat: A tuxedo coat that overlaps itself in the front.

Double Breasted Vest: A vest that overlaps itself in the front.

Formal Shoes: Typically a patent leather shoe with a glossy finish.

French Cuff: A wide shirt cuff that is folded back and fastened with a cufflink.

Full Back Vest: A vest which has a full back panel sewn in.

Full Dress Tails: Known as the tailcoat, a very formal coat that is short in the front and long in the back.

Gorge: Where the lapels start and the collar ends on a coat.

High Cut Vest: A vest that has more buttons on the front, and closes higher and closer to the collar.

Lapel: The turned back material between the coat collar and the front button. Can be of satin or same material as the coat.

Mandarin Collar: A formal shirt with banded collar only and no wings, usually featuring a wide pleated front.

Notch Lapel: A notch is cut out between the coat collar and the lapel.

Pique Shirt/Vest: A white shirt or vest with a waffle-like texture on the front panel and cuffs.

Shawl Collar: A coat where there is no change from the collar to the lapel. Instead, it is a rounding continuation of the collar.

Shirt: Shirts are available pleated, unpleated, with several different types of collars and cuffs, a variety of colors, and may come with or without studs. Single Breasted Coat: A coat that does not overlap in the front, and can have one, two, three, four or even a high five button front.

Straight Collar (also called laydown collar): Similar to most men’s dress shirts, a regular fold over style collar.

Stroller: Matching short coat to the cutaway. Worn with striped trousers, pearl vest, straight (also called laydown) collar shirt and 4-in-hand tie.

Studs: A small ornamental button mounted on a short post for insertion through an eyelet next to the shirt button.

Tuxedo: Specifically used to refer to a suit length coat, single or double breasted with satin lapels. Generally used to refer to all men’s formalwear.

Waist Coat: Also known as the Spencer or Eton. Resembles a full dress without the tails.

Wing Collar: Also known as stand up collar, this is a formal shirt, usually with a pleated front that has wing-like pointed appendages.

 

Sizing Basics

Coat: Your jacket should fit comfortably around your neck and shoulders and, also, lie smoothly on your back. Note: a tight coat is easily identified if there are any "wrinkles" down the middle of your back. You should also check to make sure the tuxedo buttons comfortably.

To measure your coat and vest size, simply visit our helpful wedding specialists for exact measurements.

Trousers: Trousers are typically easy to fit any size. With many styles, the waist is usually adjustable. Also, you should remember that the hem of your trousers should "break" just over the top of your shoes.

To measure your waist, place the tape measure at navel (belly-button) level and measure around waist.

Shirt: Your shirt to fit comfortably at the neck, shoulders, and waist - and have 1/4" of your shirts cuff show outside your coat sleeve. Rental garments use convertible cuffs; whereas, retail shirts have "French cuffs." The French cuffs are (without a doubt) an indicator of a man who knows how to truly dress.

To measure your neck size you should place a tape measure around the base of your neck. Leave your index finger between your neck and tape measure to ensure a comfortable fit.

To measure your sleeve length you should place a tape measure at the base of your neck / top of back and travel the tape measure down to middle of shoulder, and then down to your wrist bone.

Vest: The buttons of your vest should line up with the front buttons of your jacket and slighty overlap your trousers waistband. There is usually an adjustable strap with the vest which allows you to adjust it accordingly. I strongly recommend that you go with a "Full Back" vest (opposed to an "Open Back") - when your jacket comes off, the full-back vest looks much better.

Your vest size is primarily determined by your coat size, but your waist size should also be considered with sizing.

Coat size    Vest Size    Waist Range
34 - 38       Small          27" - 32"
39 - 42       Medium      33" - 36"
43 - 46       Large         37" - 41"
48 - 50       X-Large      42" - 46"
52 - 54       2X-Large    47" - 50"
56 - 58       3X-Large    51" - 56"
60 - 62       4X-Large    57" - 61"
64 - 66       5X-Large    62" - 66"
Larger        Custom      Custom


Accessory Facts:

BOW TIE/LONGER TIES
Neckwear, regardless of which style you go with, is adjustable, therefore, you should not have any problems in finding the right size.

JEWELRY
Studs and cufflinks are a must with a tuxedo. Sizing is not an issue when it comes to jewelry (standard size). It's a small touch that many people easily observe (especially at the reception while your eating).

SHOES
Your goal is to combine comfort and style. You should choose a high gloss, patent leather shoe to compliment your tuxedo. Tuxedo shoe sizing is similar the shoes that you are wearing day-to-day. Editor's choice: the most comfortable shoes are the Square Toe Evening by Perry Ellis (extra padding and square toe gives more room).