The Tuxedo

Let's start from the top. Many occasions will call for you to dress formally and very few men actually own a tuxedo these days. Renting a tux for a special night is not a bad thing, but there are a few pitfalls to avoid.

Pick your 007. From 1962 to 2009, what you will not see Bond wearing is a clip-on bow tie. Even if you rent your tuxedo, spend a few bucks and buy a real tie to go with it. It's not difficult to learn how to tie it and it will set you apart from the other first timers at your event. A black tie, please. Resist the urge to wear a tie with a pattern. Plaid bow ties are fine if you are 7 years old or a 90 year old member of a yacht club. Otherwise, show a little elegance. Similar cummerbund guidelines - more on that later.

The dinner jacket you choose depends on your frame. If you are a big guy, a peaked lapel will make you look like a box. A shawl collar dinner jacket (think Sean Connery) will slim you down and streamline you. If it's summer or you are in the Caribbean, you may wear a white dinner jacket. October to May in the States calls for black.

My personal preference for a shirt is a tennis collar ( just a traditional shirt collar). You can choose a peaked collar, but keep in mind that the peaked collar will ride high on your neck. And if you're not used to the peaked collar, you'll stop turning your head like a human and look like Frankenstein's monster at the party. Not the image you were after.

Lastly, keep your coat on at the wedding or party. A few drinks and some dancing and most guys start dismantling their attire. You're all grown up now and you can stay dressed for 4 hours. At the end of the night, do you think women will notice the guy that's still put together or the drunken frat boy with his shirt tail hanging out?

There is much more to say about the tuxedo, but you have start somewhere! Have fun!