Dress to Impress: The Tropical Tuxedo

MyShine June 8, 2024 2 min read

Step into the world of timeless elegance with the tropical tuxedo, where sophistication meets the laid-back charm of a summer breeze. In the realm of black tie dress code, the traditional tuxedo boasts an ensemble of black or midnight blue color fabric, each piece intricately designed to create a refined look:

A jacket adorned with silk or satin lapels and buttons
Trousers featuring a silk or satin braid, worn with braces
A white dress shirt with a wing collar or a more casual turndown collar and double (“French”) cuffs with cufflinks
A black silk cummerbund or a low-cut waistcoat
A sleek black silk bow tie (preferably in “self-tie” version)
The finishing touch: black patent leather shoes

How Does the Tropical Tuxedo Work?
Maintain the traditional tuxedo ensemble described above, but substitute the black jacket with a white one. For those navigating the etiquette, a white dinner jacket becomes the go-to choice for black tie dress code events in tropical climates, especially when hosted in outdoor venues. A practical solution, the white tuxedo follows some guidelines:

a. Suited for summer or tropical/subtropical climates
b. Reserved for evening affairs (after 6 pm)
c. Paired with suitable accessories

– Turndown collar shirt with covered placket front
– Black bow tie, the key here is consistency of the fabric with your tuxedo lapels
– White pocket square — *– Turndown collar shirt with covered placket front*
*– Black bow tie, the key here is consistency of the fabric with your tuxedo lapels*
*– White pocket square*

*Piped pockets, also known as jetted pockets, besom pockets or welted pockets, feature no flap*

While termed a “white” dinner jacket, the color spectrum leans towards off-white, cream, eggshell or ivory for practical reasons. These shades not only resist the yellowing that can afflict white wool over time but also offer a sophisticated alternative to standard white, often reserved for waiter uniforms.

Considerations extend to skin tones, as bright white may not universally flatter all. For tanned complexions, a slightly darker shade of white is recommended, ensuring a harmonious and elegant look.

Delving into history, white tuxedo jackets emerged in the 1930s as a sartorial response to high temperatures in tropical holiday destinations for wealthy gentlemen. Initially favored by affluent vacationers seekings, the white dinner jacket gained iconic status in the 1940s after Humphrey Bogart’s famous appearance in Casablanca but mainly James Bond films catapulted the white tuxedo jacket back into the limelight.

*Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart wearing shawl lapels ivory dinner jacket (Casablanca 1942)*

*Daniel Craig wearing a peak lapel white tux jacket with a red carnation in the buttonhole (Spectre 2015)*

Wearing a white tuxedo jacket isn’t just about attire; it’s a statement that sets you apart from the ordinary. In this refined ensemble it is easy to picture yourself, transported to an exotic locale reminiscent of Agent 007’s adventures. The tropical tuxedo can be worn in UAE during the whole year and it is more than only a good choice; it’s an embodiment of timeless elegance, making you feel like the most famous and stylish double agent of all time.