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.

 

Buy another shirt. It never hurts to have a "backup" for situations like this.

 

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.

 

Get the inexpensive replacement. You should have more than one formal shirt anyway.

 

Hopefully I can talk JSBank into recognizing my AAAC discount! Of course, I left my card at the office...

 

buy another tuxedo shirt. You should have two on hand anyways in situations like this.

 

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

 

JAB sells tuxedo shirts - you wont have a problem...

https://www.josbank.com/menswear/shop/SubCategory_11001_10050_11521

 

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

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

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

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.

 

Buy a correct shirt.

 

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.

Should be OK so long as your white dress shirt doesn't have a pocket.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

You know you just make everyone mad every time you say "more and more men" or "trend."

 

Should be OK so long as your white dress shirt doesn't have a pocket.

Yes, a good point should have made in my post.

Cruiser

 

Buy a new shirt - the alternative does not bear thinking about unless you want to look dreadful.

 

If you wear a regular shirt or one without studs along with your tuxedo (especially your three button, flap pocket, notch lapel, no waist covering tuxedo) you will look like
these guys and its only made worse if you are both victims of a drunken plastic surgeon....

monster #1 - button cuffs, notch cut with a second button, button front shirt, flap pockets, notch collar, no vest/cummerbund, no studs or cuff links

monster #2 - its called a tee-shirt - you wear it under your hidden placket cheese-cloth shirt

Neither shirt has pique bib or pleats giving it that cheap after-thought look.

Let this image haunt your sartorial dreams !!!

 

If you wear a regular shirt or one without studs along with your tuxedo (especially your three button, flap pocket, notch lapel, no waist covering tuxedo) you will look like
these guys and its only made worse if you are both victims of a drunken plastic surgeon....

Or, heaven forbid, you might even look like this guy. And to think there are people in this forum who actually think this guy knows something about clothing. :icon_smile_big:

Cruiser

 

Why would you buy or rent a tux without getting the appropriate shirt? That's like ordering a Shelby GT500 Mustang without the limited slip axle. I'd say get a proper formal shirt.

 

Why would you buy or rent a tux without getting the appropriate shirt? That's like ordering a Shelby GT500 Mustang without the limited slip axle. I'd say get a proper formal shirt.

He has a shirt. It's stuck in the cleaners.

 

He has a shirt. It's stuck in the cleaners.

Plus, addessing the original poster (rather than just commenting on the topic generally) is rather pointless, as he left early this morning to go wherever it is he's going.

 

Thank you Cruiser, you nailed this one. Here are a couple more:

Some one will say "well you aren't Sinatra, or Clooney, Dean Martin or whomever, and besides they were not really known for being well dressed" to which I reply:

Plus, I don't think the two hideously deformed fellows in deanayer's post look all that bad, clothing wise. The second guy is wearing a single button shawl lapel flapless jacket, too. The ties look pre-tied but not hideous, and they are not wearing high buttoned vests in funkadelic colors. They are having a good time, which counts for a lot. Daring hairdos. They appear not to know they look like Batman villeins, nor do they seem to care.