tuxedo

[redswan]

this may be a silly question but is a Tux with tails out of place or fashion on the QM2?

[JPEvans]

I didn't notice any tux with tails on the QM2 Tandem crossing. Saw quite a few guys in formal kilts, if you want something different, that's an idea

J.P.

[katyhotr]

Didn't see any tails on the last westbound crossing, but why not?!!! Go for it!!!

[Colin_Cameron]

Hi, On the maiden crossing there were lots of "white tie and tails".

I don't think that it was a group. Maybe just people making an extra effort for the maiden crossing though.

Regards, Colin.

[eatsallinsects]

Ny daughter wore "white tie and tails" on the westbound crossing of the QM2 at the black and white ball--May 1-7.

[Luckycol]

eatsallinsects

I saw your daughter in G32 in the whtite tie and tails and she looked cool.

Virtually everyone wore tux's on the formal nights therefore a tux with tails would not be out of place.

[redswan]

I appreciate evryone's input. Seems like a friendly group of good spirited folks. Sailing June 11th

[eatsallinsects]

Thanks for the compliment on my daughter, Luckycol! I will pass along your compliment!

[Paul NH]

Hi all,

I have been assuming that black tuxedos are en regle on formal nights, but then it ocurred to me that on the upcoming June sailing - when the days are long and the weather warm - that other than black may be more typical on board. Since I am buying a tuxedo for this sailing, and a black one would give me the most long term, versatile use, is it safe to assume that the black tuxedo is common, even on summer crossings?

Paul

[ciaobella]

I would assume that in the summer months, as June is, that a dinner jacket would be appropriate gentleman's attire for formal nights. JMHO!

[gingernut9999]

black dinner jackets are by far the most common, even in the summer, although you are likely to see a few white dinner jackets too.

[tandemtourer]

Captaintandem obtained a high quality lightweight wool black dinner jacket and trousers several years ago. He has found it very comfortable to wear on many occasions including a dance in the late summer.

More recently he added a white dinner jacket to his formal wear which he wore on the first and last formal nights of a transatlantic crossing. (The weather was warmer when we were closer to land than in the middle of the North Atlantic.) He says that the comfort is a result of the quality of the fabric. Both dinner jackets are cooler than some of his summer weight sport coats. For him whether to wear white or black is more of a "style point".

His advice: shop carefully for a good black dinner jacket and formal trousers which will be with you for a long time. Add a white dinner jacket later.

Tandemtourer

[Paul NH]

Well, bought my first tuxedo today, in preparation for the June 9 crossing. Went with the black one-button tux with black tie look. Figured I would go all out with the formal look.

Must admit, it was pretty exciting standing in front of the mirror getting measured in it, and thinking about wearing it 2 months from now on board.

I would love to find (used) black tuxes for my 11 and 13 year old boys, so that we could all surround my wife in her evening gown as we descend the stairs into the Brittannia Dining Room. That would be a hoot.

Probably settle on dark suits for them in the end, though since children's tuxedos are hard to come by and too expensive for the limited use they get before growing out of them.

Paul

[Blazerboy]

Paul,

If you're near Massachusetts, there are some great used clothing stores in Cambridge that might have children's sizes, The most famous for tuxedos is Keezer's. Here's the link: [color=#008000][url="http://www.keezers.com"]www.keezers.com[/url] [/color]

I was on a cruise with eight guys and one woman last year. When the nine of us escorted her into the dining room, people took pictures!- she said it made her feel like she was part of the Hollywood glamour of old. I'm sure your wife would feel the same!

Enjoy your crossing- we're off in six weeks on the QE2 to Norway!

[tandemtourer]

Great news about your cabin reassignment as well as your new formal wear. I hope you have many, many opportunities to wear your black tie!

You will be embarking on QM2 just as we finish our journey. Our Post Cruise Depression Syndrome should be just setting in.

Be sure to stay on deck until you pass under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge (even if it means missing dinner.)

tandemtourer

[Paul NH]

Blazer Boy, thanks for the pointer to the store that carries childrens tuxedos. I wrote them an email inquiry asking for some information.

Tademtourer, are you on the June 3 westbound? Thanks for the tip on the Verrazono Narrows Bridge. I do plan to stay on deck to see us go under it. That and the Statue of Liberty, of course. Hopefully, we won't have to miss dinner but if I had to give up one for the other, dinner definitely goes!

Paul

[Paul NH]

I picked up my new black tuxedo today, tailored to measurements they took when I purchased it a week ago. Men's Wearhouse did a great job with the fitting. This is my first tux and the final fitting evoked a "wow" when I tried it on in the shop. I cannot wait to wear it on board - just seven and a half weeks to go! For variety, I bought a long black tie as well as a bow, to alternate during the voyage (a transatlantic voyage on the Queen Mary 2 deserves this level of attention, don't you think?).

The store suggested a pair of tuxedo shoes, which were these incredibly shiny black things. Although they were very interesting, and actually looked good with the tux, I found myself wondering if such shiny shoes were typical with tuxedos or whether they would draw chuckles. Any tuxedo-shoe experts out there? (because I am sure not)

Paul

[tandemtourer]

Hi Paul,
So glad to hear that you are happy with your purchase.

Captaintandem obtained his white dinner jacket from Men's Wearhouse. They did an amazing job. The closest store is 90 miles from our home.
The size we needed wasn't in stock. The manager ordered three different jackets then drove to my husband's office took the tailoring measurements from the jacket which was selected, then [u]delivered[/u] the jacket two weeks later. We really could not believe it.

Regarding the issue of shoes, were those "incredibley shiny things" patent leather? Captaintandem has a very difficult time finding shoes which fit. He started out with a black shoe with one or two eyelets. They were comfortable but they didn't really look right.

The next pair were patent leather loafers from Hitchcock. They really looked wonderful. Noone laughed. (The gossamer weight formal socks make him a little self-concious though.) After 13 years the original formal shoes needed replacement. Two years ago he bought two different sizes of patent leather shoes with laces. They were a real bargain. What size do you need? Maybe you could use the pair he has never worn.

(Yes, we're disembarking on June 9 in New York.)

[DocM3]

I got a chuckle out of the comments about the patent leather shoes - My husband thought they looked pretty funny when we first bought them - but after wearing them on the QE2 and being 'right at home' so to speak - I'd advise you to go for it.

By the way we will be on the June 3rd crossing - it will be our return trip home.

[tandemtourer]

I posted to your round trip roll call several weeks ago. But since we're only going westbound on the Mary I didn't feel that I belonged there. If you find a roll call for June 3 please point the way.

tandemtourer

[DocM3]

Hi Tandemtourer. I'll put out a call and see what happens.

If you wish you can reach me at [email]USGrandma35@hotmail.com[/email]. Would be nice to get to know each other before we sail.

[dtwtraveler]

My husband stood out from the crowd and looked sooo elegant wearing a tux and Reebocks on a Southampton to NY crossing! He sprained his ankle the second day and couldn't wear his dress shoes. He was thankful that his shoes were black! Since he was out of commission, I had fun dancing with the Gentlemen Escorts!

[DanZ]

Paulk:

Hi again. Not sure, but I think my previous reply to this question was lost in cyberspace...

As for me, I have never worn patent leather formal shoes and those nylon-stocking-thin formal socks. I've always thought they looked either too geriatric, too prom night or too much like something from the Wedding Singer. If course, it's a personal choice, but you won't be alone if you wear a nice simple-lined dress loafer or tie shoe with a nice high polish. You really don't see that many wearing the formal shoes at the Academy Awards. A bit of personal style is certainly permissible. I believe the editors of GQ would back me up on this one.

If I'm wrong, perhaps I'll be banished to the shoe shame dungeon just off the engine room for dinner!

Best regards,
Dan

[Paul NH]

Tandemtourer, I am a size 10 EE or EEE. Perhaps you could throw them from the railing as the ship comes alongside the Manhattan dock. I will be the one in black socks on the top level of the parking garage. Seriously, if the extra pair is the right size ...

Regarding the "issue" of the patent leather shoes ("Do they really reflect up?"), as much as they fascinate me in a weird way, I have decided not to buy a pair as the cost-versus-uses does not justify them. I think they would work on the QM2, but agree with Dan in that most other places they would probably come across as a bit prom-ish. But - there is something about that shiny-ness ...

Glad to see all the opinions and comments above. My brand new tux is safely in my closet waiting for the big week. It is a shame that the new garment will have to be shoved into a suitcase first. I noticed Guernseyguy's posting on another string that mentioned that 85~90% of men were in tuxes on the sailing he is on right now.

On a related note, I have not purchased a tux shirt(s) yet. Any chance that fashion trends allow for plain white shirts under the jacket?

Paul

[DanZ]

[b]White shirt vs. pleated formal shirt...[/b]

A plain white, french cuff shirt with a great tie and formal vest should work just fine. I have one night planned with wing collar and bow tie and another with a standard collar pleated shirt with a tie that goes well with the vest.

Dan