The tuxedo is the one wedding decision that shows up in every photo, and most grooms make it last. They lock in the venue, the florals, and the playlist, then grab whatever is left on the rental rack.
That works until the photos come back and the tuxedo is fighting the wedding it’s standing in. A velvet jacket in a July garden. A boxy rental at a black-tie dinner. A plain black tuxedo that looks like every other plain black tuxedo in the room.
Below are ten tuxedo styles, matched to the wedding themes they suit best, plus a quick lookup table if you just want the answer. We make custom wedding tuxedos to order and deliver them worldwide. We also do something most tuxedo makers don’t: hand-embroidered and beaded tuxedos, with embroidery on the lapels, shoulders, and back. You’ll see it come up throughout this guide, because it’s the easiest way to make a classic style unmistakably yours.
Start with the theme, not the tuxedo
Four questions narrow the field fast.
- What time is the ceremony? Evening weddings can carry darker, richer fabrics. Daytime weddings want lighter tones.
- What’s the season? Velvet belongs to fall and winter. Linen and lightweight cloths belong to summer.
- How formal is the invitation? Black-tie, semi-formal, and relaxed each call for a different level of dress.
- What colors are in the room? Your tuxedo should sit comfortably next to your partner’s outfit and your wedding party’s palette.
Answer those four and the right style usually picks itself.
| Wedding theme | Best tuxedo style | Color direction |
|---|---|---|
| Black-tie ballroom or hotel | Classic black tuxedo, try stone work or an embroidered lapel | Black, midnight blue |
| Beach, tropical, destination | White or ivory dinner jacket | Ivory with black trousers |
| Winter, holiday, moody | Velvet tuxedo | Burgundy, green, navy |
| Rustic, barn, vintage | Three-piece tuxedo | Charcoal, brown, grey |
| Art deco, modern, fashion-forward | Double-breasted tuxedo | Black, deep blue, green |
| Old Hollywood, romantic | Shawl lapel tuxedo | Black, midnight, ivory |
| Garden, vineyard, boho | Light-toned suit or tuxedo | Grey, linen tones |
| Fall, luxe | Jewel-tone tuxedo | Maroon, deep green |
| Grand, royal, statement | Embroidered or beaded tuxedo | Black, navy, green |
Helpful Guides Before Choosing Your Wedding Tuxedo
Still deciding which tuxedo style suits your wedding theme? Start with our guide to choosing a wedding tuxedo so you can match your outfit with the venue, season, and level of formality.
If you are unsure whether your wedding needs a tuxedo or a suit, read our tuxedo vs suit guide before choosing the final look.
Planning a made-to-measure outfit? Use our custom tuxedo measurement guide before submitting your sizes, especially if you are ordering online.
Want to compare lapels before choosing a style? Explore our peak lapel tuxedos and shawl lapel tuxedos to see which shape works better for your wedding look.
Choosing accessories too? Read our cummerbund vs waistcoat guide before finalising your shirt, waistcoat, bow tie, and formal details.
The 10 tuxedo styles
1. The embroidered tuxedo
Best for: grand, royal, luxe, and statement weddings, and any groom who wants a tuxedo that feels personal, detailed, and different from standard formalwear.
This is where André Emilio stands apart. Our embroidered tuxedos feature handmade embroidery, beadwork, and stone detailing, giving each jacket a level of craftsmanship that standard machine-made formalwear cannot copy. The embroidery can be customized on the lapels or placed on other parts of the jacket, including the shoulders, chest, sleeves, back, or other design areas depending on the style you choose.
A groom can keep the base classic with a black, navy, green, or burgundy tuxedo, then add embroidery that brings depth, texture, and personal character to the outfit. Floral beadwork, geometric patterns, stone accents, and detailed hand embroidery can turn a formal tuxedo into a wedding piece made specifically for the groom.
Each design is tailored to your measurements, so the embroidery sits correctly on the body instead of looking added afterward. Whether you want detailed lapel embroidery, shoulder work, back detailing, or a more subtle custom placement, André Emilio can help you create a tuxedo that matches your wedding theme and personal style. Start with our luxury tuxedos collection to see available embroidered and beaded designs.
Embroidery works best when the wedding calls for something memorable. A plain tuxedo can blend into the room. A handmade embroidered tuxedo gives the groom a clear identity in photographs, entrances, and close-up details.
Styling tip: Let the embroidery remain the main focus. Keep the shirt, bow tie, shoes, and accessories simple so the handmade detail stands out clearly.
2. The classic black tuxedo
Best for: black-tie, ballroom, hotel, and traditional weddings.
A black tuxedo with satin peak lapels, a white shirt, and a bow tie is the safest formal choice there is. It’s safe because it works, not because it’s dull. If you want it to carry a little more of you, look at our black tuxedo with hand stone work, which keeps the classic cut and adds hand-set detail. Browse the full range of black tuxedos.
Styling tip: Let the tuxedo do the talking. Simple cufflinks and a white pocket square are plenty.
3. The midnight blue tuxedo
Best for: modern evening weddings and city venues.
Under evening lighting, a deep blue tuxedo often reads richer than black, and it photographs well. It feels formal without feeling expected. Our royal navy embroidery beaded tuxedo takes this a step further, with handmade embroidery and beading on a navy base. See all our blue tuxedos.
Styling tip: Pair it with a black bow tie and black patent shoes.
4. The white or ivory dinner jacket
Best for: beach, tropical, destination, and summer weddings.
A white or ivory dinner jacket with black tuxedo trousers is the classic warm-weather formal look. You stay cool and still look dressed for the occasion. For a full set in a light shade, check out our white tuxedos.
Styling tip: A black bow tie gives you strong contrast. Pull your boutonniere colour from the florals.
5. The velvet tuxedo
Best for: winter, holiday, vintage, and moody, romantic weddings.
Velvet loves candlelight. Burgundy, deep green, and navy all look rich in low light, and the fabric has a depth that flat wool can’t copy. It’s a statement piece, so everything else stays quiet. Explore our velvet tuxedos.
Styling tip: Black satin lapels and black trousers keep the focus on the jacket.
6. The three-piece tuxedo
Best for: rustic, barn, vintage, and country-club weddings.
The waistcoat adds structure and a traditional feel. When the jacket comes off at the reception, you’re still dressed. Our 3-piece tuxedos include designs with an embroidered shoulder or an embroidered shawl lapel, so the formality of a waistcoat comes with a detail no one else will be wearing. Pick matching waistcoats if you’re building your own set.
Styling tip: A contrasting waistcoat fabric or a custom lining gives you a personal detail without changing the silhouette.
7. The double-breasted tuxedo
Best for: modern, fashion-forward, and art deco weddings.
The overlapping front gives the double-breasted tuxedo an architectural look. It also forgives nothing. Shoulders, chest, and jacket length all have to be right, which is where a made-to-measure garment earns its keep. Our double-breasted tuxedos include designs with handmade embroidery and stone embroidery on the shoulders.
Styling tip: Keep it buttoned when you stand. It’s cut to look best that way.
8. The jewel-tone tuxedo
Best for: fall weddings and luxe, richly coloured themes.
Maroon and green tuxedos add warmth and personality while still reading as formal, especially with satin lapels. They also photograph well against autumn foliage and candlelit rooms. If you want a bolder colour, we also make red, purple, and brown tuxedos.
Styling tip: Match the shade to your florals or the bridesmaid dresses so the whole day feels planned.
9. The light-toned suit or tuxedo
Best for: garden, boho, vineyard, and outdoor daytime weddings.
Soft tones belong outdoors. A custom linen suit keeps you cool in warm weather, and a grey tuxedo gives you a softer formal option when black feels too heavy for a daytime ceremony.
Styling tip: Skip the black bow tie. A tie in an earthy, coordinating tone looks more at home.
10. The shawl lapel tuxedo
Best for: old Hollywood, vintage, and classic romantic weddings.
The rounded shawl collar has a smooth, flowing line that suits glamorous themes. It’s softer than a peak lapel and every bit as formal. It’s also a natural canvas for embroidery. Our blue embroidered shawl lapel tuxedo and our black tuxedo with white lapel and blue embroidery both show what a decorated lapel can do. Look through all our shawl lapel tuxedos.
Styling tip: Add a bow tie and a satin-trimmed waistcoat for a vintage finish.
The details that make a tuxedo yours
The style gets you in the room. The details make it yours. When you order from us, you choose:
- Embroidery and embellishment. Hand embroidery, beadwork, and stone work on the lapel, shoulder, or back. It’s the detail that turns a good tuxedo into one nobody else has.
- Lapel style. Peak for strength and formality, shawl for a smoother, classic line.
- Pocket style and buttons. Small choices that change the whole character of the jacket.
- Lining. A bold lining is a detail only you and your tailor know about.
- Monogram. Your initials stitched inside make the jacket unmistakably yours.
- The finishing pieces. Bow ties and neckties, cufflinks, pocket squares, and a custom tuxedo shirt.
Getting the fit right when you measure at home
Fit matters more than price. A well-fitted tuxedo beats an expensive one that pulls across the shoulders. That goes double for an embroidered jacket, where the detail should sit exactly where it was designed to.
Our process has four steps:
- Choose your style.
- Pick your customisations.
- Get measured, follow our measurement guide, and enter your sizes in the customiser.
- Receive your tuxedo at your door.
A few habits help. Ask someone to measure you, because it’s hard to get an accurate number on yourself. Wear thin clothing, not a bulky jacket. Keep the tape snug but not tight. If a number looks off, ask before you order.
You can make an appointment with our team, and our return and alteration policy is there if the fit needs adjusting. Unsure about a colour or fabric? Order swatches first and look at them in daylight.
Dressing your groomsmen without making clones
Your groomsmen shouldn’t look identical to you. The groom should stand out, and a few small changes do it. Same colour family, different tie. Same jacket, different pocket square. A waistcoat for you and not for them. An embroidered tuxedo for you and a clean black one for the rest of the party is the simplest version of all.
Plan the Whole Wedding Party in One Place
Coordinate the groom, groomsmen, and wedding-party styling with custom tuxedo options, fit guidance, and a look that keeps the groom standing out.
Plan Grooms & Groomsmen Looks →When to order
Every piece is made to order, so order early. That leaves room for production, delivery, and any alterations before the wedding. Some of our embroidered designs list worldwide delivery in as little as 14 days, but embroidery is handwork, so don’t cut it close. Work backward from your wedding date and leave a buffer.
Frequently Asked Questions
A tuxedo has satin or silk facing on the lapels, buttons, and a stripe down the trousers. It's made for formal and black-tie events, usually in the evening. A suit has no satin trim and works across more occasions. For a formal wedding, a tuxedo signals the highest level of dress.
Yes. André Emilio makes hand-embroidered, beaded, and stone-work tuxedos in black, navy, green, and other colors, with embroidery on the lapels, shoulders, or back. Each one is tailored to your measurements.
Yes. Midnight blue, burgundy, and deep green all work at formal weddings when the fabric is refined and the details, such as satin lapels, stay classic. Keep the shirt, shoes, and accessories simple so the tuxedo stays the focus.
A white or ivory dinner jacket with black tuxedo trousers is the classic formal option for a beach or tropical wedding. A custom linen suit in a light color is a more relaxed choice. Choose a lightweight fabric so you stay comfortable in the heat.
Peak lapels look strong and formal and suit black-tie weddings. Shawl lapels have a smooth, rounded line that suits vintage, old Hollywood, and romantic themes. Both are traditional tuxedo lapels, so the choice comes down to the look you want.
Use the tailor's measurement guide, ask someone to help, and measure over thin clothing instead of a bulky jacket. Keep the tape snug but not tight, and enter the numbers exactly as written.
