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Can I wear a normal white dress shirt with a tux?

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tocqueville

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Force majeure prevents me from wearing my new Tyrwhitt evening wear shirt at a wedding this weekend (a storm caused the power to fail in my neighborhood, which prompted the cleaners to close before I could get there and pick up my shirt). I have to leave tomorrow before it opens in the morning. Do I:

a) buy a new shirt tomorrow? I refuse to spend the money to buy anything as nice as the Tyrwhitt, so I'll be hitting JosBanks on the road.

b) make do with a nice white dress shirt? Would that simply ruin the outfit? The rest of the rig consists of a black cumberbun, black bow tie, black tux, etc.
 
#2 ·
If it's your wedding: No.
If you're in the wedding (i.e.i best man or usher): Not unless the bride, groom and families are very fond of you.
If you're just a guest: It's not proper, but if you've got the minimum degree of aplomb you can carry it off.
 
#4 ·
Starched and pressed, at least medium spread, no pocket, French cuffs--it should do in a pinch. The difference certainly isn't apparent at a distance.
 
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#8 ·
I get in trouble for saying things like this but, sure you can. More and more men are choosing to wear a simple white dress shirt (with French cuffs) with their tuxedo. Although I have a pleated shirt hanging in the closet I'm about ready to give it to Goodwill because it doesn't get worn. My tuxedo shirt is a white on white herringbone dress shirt with a semi-spread collar and French cuffs. No studs, just buttons. I may give my studs to Goodwill also.

I think more and more men are recognizing the elegance of simplicity. Things like cummerbunds, studs, and patent leather shoes are gradually falling by the wayside as men adopt a more simple manner of dress. I know that this trend isn't held in high regard in this forum, but I like it.

Cruiser
 
#10 ·
Cruiser said:
I get in trouble for saying things like this but, sure you can. More and more men are choosing to wear a simple white dress shirt (with French cuffs) with their tuxedo. Although I have a pleated shirt hanging in the closet I'm about ready to give it to Goodwill because it doesn't get worn. My tuxedo shirt is a white on white herringbone dress shirt with a semi-spread collar and French cuffs. No studs, just buttons. I may give my studs to Goodwill also.

I think more and more men are recognizing the elegance of simplicity. Things like cummerbunds, studs, and patent leather shoes are gradually falling by the wayside as men adopt a more simple manner of dress. I know that this trend isn't held in high regard in this forum, but I like it.

Cruiser
Click to expand...
Nonsense. Of course the hoi polloi will dress like the hoi polloi... as they always have.
The choice (as it always has been) is whether or not one desires to join them.
 
#11 ·
If it's in a good white cloth with a hidden placket I doubt anyone will even notice.
Yesterday I ordered a shirt with ¾ spread collar and hidden placket in white stripe on white herringbone. I just liked the idea for a shirt to wear with my dinner suit.
I also ordered one in red with a batwing collar - but that's for a friends Halloween party I have ordered devil horns to go with it. Probably it's much cheaper than hiring a costume and looking like someone else.
 
#12 ·
I think more and more men are recognizing the elegance of simplicity. Things like cummerbunds, studs, and patent leather shoes are gradually falling by the wayside as men adopt a more simple manner of dress. I know that this trend isn't held in high regard in this forum, but I like it.
Click to expand...
It is not uncommon to wear a white silk shirt with a DJ, Budd sold me one for the purpose the other day.

I do not always agree with Cruiser but a plain white shirt is perfectly adequate if you do not have the shirt you want to hand. I also happen to agree with him on cummerbunds, studs and patent leather but I realise that we are missionaries in this respect.
 
#13 ·
The fact that the shirt is plain white qualifies it as a good shirt to use. Don't bother getting another one. A plain white shirt is actually superior to the majority of "tuxedo shirts" sold, which feature an incorrect attached wing collar.
 
#14 ·
tocqueville said:
Can I wear a normal white dress shirt with a tux?
Click to expand...
Of course you can. What, you're going to get tarred and feathered for daring to wear the wrong shirt? 95% of people won't even notice.

Will it be as technically correct as a proper formal shirt? No. But you knew that already, so why ask... I mean, what sort of validation can we give you on this anyway? What possible answer could we give that would adequately address your concerns. Sorry for being salty, but sometimes I can't help wondering what extra information would possibly satisfy some of the questions asked here.
 
#16 ·
tocqueville said:
b) make do with a nice white dress shirt? Would that simply ruin the outfit? The rest of the rig consists of a black cumberbun, black bow tie, black tux, etc.
Click to expand...
Should be OK so long as your white dress shirt doesn't have a pocket.
 
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#17 ·
Bog said:
The fact that the shirt is plain white qualifies it as a good shirt to use. Don't bother getting another one. A plain white shirt is actually superior to the majority of "tuxedo shirts" sold, which feature an incorrect attached wing collar.
Click to expand...
I sort of agree with this. The last black tie event I attended there were some men there in plain white shirts with bow ties but no cummerbunds. I did not think them scoundrels. They looked better than the guys in tuxedos with regular black ties. I was the guy in the incorrect attached wing collar and pleated shirt. :( No matter what though, someone will look worse than you - if that is any consolation.

Otherwise it is a budget issue. How much do you want to spend to feel more comfortable at the event without wondering what people think and if you are ruining the wedding pictures for someone? Might be worth the expense for the peace of mind.
 
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#18 ·
Cruiser said:
I get in trouble for saying things like this but, sure you can. More and more men are choosing to wear a simple white dress shirt (with French cuffs) with their tuxedo. Although I have a pleated shirt hanging in the closet I'm about ready to give it to Goodwill because it doesn't get worn. My tuxedo shirt is a white on white herringbone dress shirt with a semi-spread collar and French cuffs. No studs, just buttons. I may give my studs to Goodwill also.

I think more and more men are recognizing the elegance of simplicity. Things like cummerbunds, studs, and patent leather shoes are gradually falling by the wayside as men adopt a more simple manner of dress. I know that this trend isn't held in high regard in this forum, but I like it.
Click to expand...
You know you just make everyone mad every time you say "more and more men" or "trend.";)
 
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