Day20 : Tux way 2

A man in a tuxedo possesses an unmatched air of confidence. In fact, in my opinion, this is a staple—a must-have—for every man that has come of age. There are no downsides to owning a tux—or a range of tuxedos. If you have struggles with picking out the right outfit for an event, then a tuxedo should be your go-to most of the time as it never fails to save the day. From dinner nights to themed bow tie events, from wedding guest to award nights, a tux slots in just perfectly. Again, if you are looking at tying the knot soon, the official jersey for the groom and groomsmen is always a tuxedo.

Like many other outfits in the men’s world, tuxedos have also undergone some form of evolution. Gone are the days you find tuxedos only in black and dark colors. Huge credit must be given to forward thinking African designers who have been able to bring the outfit closer to home. It’s a great thing to see how the evolution of tuxedo from plain fabrics to velvets, and now, damask.

To further buttress the point on evolution, the image above is a double breasted shawl lapel tuxedo made with damask fabric and patterned textile. The material derives its name from the fine patterned fabrics produced in Damascus (Syria) in the European Middle Ages. True damask was originally made of silk, but gradually the name came to be applied to a certain type of patterned fabric regardless of fibre. Growing up in Nigeria, I remember damask were used by our parents for head gear. Decades later, it has grown to become an important fabric in the making of tuxedos.

I’m sure it’s no secret any longer that I enjoy experimenting with my outfits. I easily get bored of trying to dress the same way all the time. As a Compere, having a tuxedo is non-negotiable. However, having to wear them in the same way could be quite frustrating for me. This is because tuxedos could be very limiting when it comes to styling.

Nevertheless, I have found a way of inculcating my personal preference and touch anytime I wear them. My guiding light has always been, and still is, finding different ways to style an outfit without repeating looks. This is where creativity, research and deep thinking comes in.

In conclusion, the importance of owning a tux (or a range of tuxedos) cannot be overemphasized. Its versatility is a saving grace for most men. Also, for men who are experimentalists like me, the key thing is to trust your guts while paying attention to details. In your quest to style this very limiting outfit, be careful not to veer off course. Always remember, there exists a thin line between genius and madness.

the