Nothing makes a man look – or feel – as sharp, sophisticated and handsome-as-hell as a good tux.
I was in my early 20s when Daniel Craig first debuted as James Bond, and I will never forget that scene in Casino Royale when Vesper Lind brought him a custom-made dinner suit.
(“There are dinner jackets and there are dinner jackets. This is the latter.”)
Unfortunately, here in the real world most of us don’t have Bond’s access to Savile Row tailors, or beautiful women who spontaneously buy us fitted tuxedo jackets.
Which is a damn shame, because finding the best tuxedos for special occasions is deceptively and annoyingly difficult.
Nowadays there are more brands than ever offering everything from a typical penguin suit (aka a classic tuxedo) to the most fashion-forward and modern tuxedo styles imaginable (think a hot-pink velvet tuxedo jacket, or a floral print with a shawl collar).
In addition to an overwhelming number of styles and options, these brands also vary wildly in terms of price and quality, making it even harder to find the right fit for your wedding day or next black tie event.
To help you find the best tux to suit your style, taste and budget, in this post I’ll break down the best tuxedo brands that offer not only the sharpest styles, but also the highest quality and overall best value.
Where to Buy a Tuxedo
Breaking Down the Best Places to Buy a Tuxedo for Any Occasion
Best Wedding Tuxedo Brands
Indochino
The Overall Best Place to Buy a Tuxedo Online
Indochino easily ranks first on our list thanks to their excellent – and in my opinion, unbeatable – combination of quality, price range, diversity and customization.
I first tried Indochino when I was a groomsman in my friend’s wedding party, and was pretty impressed with their customization process, which allows you to get a damn-near perfect fit without the high price tag usually associated with made-to-measure suits and tuxes.
They offer a wide range of tuxes and wedding suits that includes both modern styles and the more classic look of an all black tuxedo, so their base models offer something for everyone.
But unlike the other formal wear brands on this list, most of which only offer off-the-rack options, with Indochino you get to customize your own tux, so it fits not only your precise measurements, but your exact style requirements.
Love the look of their midnight blue tuxedo but want to swap out the satin peak lapels for a shawl lapel? Go for it.
Want the slim fit of their classic black tux but want to add side tabs to the tuxedo pants? No problem.
Indochino makes those kinds of customizations easy, which really sets them apart, and makes them a good choice not just for grooms, but any style-inclined wedding guests attending a black-tie event.
Bonobos
A (Very) Close Runner Up to Indochino
The only reason why Bonobos missed out on the number one spot overall is the size of their evening wear selection, which is fairly limited compared to the wealth of off-the-rack and customization options offered by Indochino.
But while the selection might be small, it sure is stylish.
Their tux offerings tend to change a bit from season to season, but a few things remain consistent.
They always have a few timeless, unimpeachable tuxedo jackets that you could easily imagine Daniel Craig wearing as James Bond, and a few more that are a little more fashion-forward and of-the-moment.
In all cases the quality is quite high and the price point is pretty reasonable, so Bonobos should be high on your list when you’re shopping for formal occasions.
State & Liberty
Best Place to Buy an Athletic Fit Tuxedo Online
State and Liberty ranked first on our list of the best suits with stretch fabric, and they make a few tuxedo options that are very much worth considering.
They specialize in making stretchy and comfortable suits that come pre-tailored with a modern fit, so they’re great for guys who find pure wool suits or even polyester blends a little too restrictive.
(Especially when you’re trying to bust a move on the dance floor after dinner!)
It’s also worth noting that all of their suit, tux and dress shirt options are marketed as “athletic fit.”
But speaking as a middle-aged dad whose body screams, well, “middle-aged dad”, I find this to be a bit of a misnomer.
I picked up one of their stretch suits last year and paired with their classic white shirt, and found that both fit great, even though my bodybuilding days are very much behind me.
Tomasso Black
Tomasso Black is a sneaky good place to turn for an affordable tuxedo that looks like it could be worn on a Hollywood red carpet, but costs a helluva lot less than you’d pay for formal attire from Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors or one of the other big-name designers.
The company was started by an Italian American who wanted to honor his family’s history of Italian craftsmanship and tailoring.
They offer a range of well-made, well-cut suits and tuxedos in timelessly classic styles, all for under 1,000 bucks, so it’s definitely the right place to turn if you’re a clotheshorse on on a tight budget.
Brooks Brothers
Brooks Brothers is a staple for preppy, classic and business casual attire, and a can’t-miss option if you need a tux for a black tie wedding, or other formal events that call for a black-tie dress code.
In keeping with their staid reputation, their selection is a little bit more traditional than newer outlets like Indochino or Bonobos.
But they offer both black and dark blue tuxes with a traditional single button fastening, a timeless and unimpeachable look that never goes out of style.
Suitsupply
Whereas Brooks Brothers is staid and traditional, Suitsupply belongs to a newer wave of menswear brands.
One of the main differences that sets them apart from the traditional players is that, while they certainly nod at tradition, they’re not confined by the strict rules of yesteryear’s dress codes.
Case and point: some of the models pictured in the tuxedo section of their site aren’t even wearing a bow tie, which would be considered sacrilege for a lot of the more old-school brands.
Like the rest of their suits, their selection of tuxedos varies from year to year, but you can usually find a nice variety that includes everything from traditional double-breasted designs to a modern one-button white dinner jacket.
J.Crew
On a spectrum with traditional outlets like Brooks Brothers on one side and newer players like Indochino and Suitsupply on the other, J. Crew sits somewhere in the middle.
They have the old-school prep credentials of Brooks Brothers, but over the past decade or so they’ve proven to be a lot more fashion forward, making them closer competitors to some of the newer, more modern brands.
(For instance, Brooks Brothers pretty much never carries white tuxedos, while J.Crew usually offers one or two white options.)
The result is a nice blend of trendiness and timelessness, making them a perennial favorite for fashionable grooms who need a tux for their big day.
Banana Republic
Banana Republic is one of J.Crew’s closest competitors, and just about everything I said about J.Crew above is also true of Banana.
While their exact styles will vary from J.Crew’s offerings, they offer a similar price point and similar amount of variety, so I highly recommend checking out both outlets.
Ted Baker
Here I have to admit some personal bias, because I actually wore Ted Baker’s slim fit navy tux with a shawl-style black lapel on my own wedding day.
They have a pretty extensive wedding section that includes a wide range of suits and accessories, but they actually don’t have a ton of other tux styles.
Nonetheless, they’re worth including on this list because the tuxes they do carry are excellent.
Plus, they have the added advantage of being sold as suit separates, so you can pair the navy blue jacket with either the navy or black tux pants.
Charles Tyrwhitt
As you might expect from a proper British brand, Charles Tyrwhitt offers a few different styles of classic black tuxedos with traditional satin lapels.
The company is best known for its classic British styling, high-quality materials, and a broad range of sizes and fit options.
Tyrwhitt’s ethos emphasizes the importance of timeless style, meticulous attention to detail, and enduring quality, all of which is obvious in their tux options.
So if you only want to buy one classic tux that will never go out of style, this is a good place to turn.
Reiss
Another British brand, Reiss has a pretty extensive wedding shop that includes a number of tuxedos, suits and accessories.
Their selection of tuxes definitely isn’t quite as large as some of the other brands listed here, but one thing that helps Reiss stand out is that all of their pieces are designed in-house at their London headquarters, with a clear focus on quality, innovative design, and originality.
Their tuxes all come in modern classic styles, making them a good place to turn if you want something timeless, but don’t want to wear the exact same tux as the grooms at all the other weddings you go to this year.
Todd Snyder
American designer Todd Snyder worked at a few of the biggest names in men’s fashion, including Polo Ralph Lauren, The Gap, and J. Crew, before starting his own eponymous label in 2011.
His tuxedo designs embody a mix of classic style and modern sensibility, often with a nod to vintage inspirations.
The price point for Todd Snyder is definitely higher than a lot of the other brands in the wedding section of this list, and it’s worth noting that they easily could have been included in the luxury section below.
But they’re worth considering for weddings because the fit, design, quality and craftsmanship are all next-level, and very much worth investing in if you have the budget.
The Best of the Rest ↓
The brands mentioned above offer the best combination of style, quality and affordability, making them my top picks not only for wedding suits, but pretty much any other type of tuxedo.
(In addition to being great tuxedo brands, almost all of my own suits come from the brands above, because they’re also great options for regular suiting.)
But they’re far from the only options available, and I know some guys like to set affordability aside and really splurge on their tux.
So below I’ve rounded up a few of the best brands that offer both high-quality and high priced tuxedos, all of which could be a great option if money is no obstacle.
And for those who don’t care so much about the brand and just want to know where to shop, I’ve also listed out a few of the best tuxedo stores where you can turn for a wide selection of brands, styles and price points.
Best Luxury Tuxedo Brands
Hugo Boss
Ralph Lauren
Calvin Klein
Tom Ford
The Best Italian Tuxedo Brands
Brioni
Canali
Prada
Giorgio Armani
Gucci
Dolce & Gabbana
Zegna
Corneliani
Brunello Cucinelli
Check Out Brunello Cucinelli ➤
The Best Tuxedo Stores
Nordstrom
Jos. A. Bank
Bloomingdale’s
Mr Porter
Men’s Wearhouse
Neiman Marcus
Macy’s
FAQ
What kind of tuxedo does James Bond wear?
This is a more complicated question than you might think, because throughout the years, Bond’s tuxedos have been made by a variety of well-known designers. For example, Sean Connery’s Bond wore tuxedos made by Anthony Sinclair, Pierce Brosnan’s were by Brioni, and Daniel Craig’s have (mostly) been by Tom Ford.
How much is an expensive tuxedo?
Tuxedo prices vary significantly, with off-the-rack options ranging from under $200 to several thousand dollars. A custom wedding suit from a made-to-measure service usually starts around $800, while bespoke, fully custom tuxedos can cost from a few thousand up to over $10,000, depending on the tailor and materials.
What is the most expensive tuxedo?
The most expensive tuxedo on record is the patently absurd Stuart Hughes’ Diamond Edition, valued at roughly $892,500. It’s adorned with over 480 half-carat diamonds and made from cashmere wool, making it mind-numbingly expensive, and – as Tom Wambsgans might say – ludicrously capacious.
What is the most common tuxedo?
The most common tuxedo is probably the classic black tuxedo. This typically features a single-breasted jacket with one button, peak or shawl lapels often faced with satin or grosgrain, matching trousers with a satin or grosgrain stripe down the leg, a white dress shirt, and a black bow tie.
More Resources ↓
More Men’s Suits and Style Advice Irreverent Gent:
- How to Buy Your First Suit
- How should a suit fit?
- How to Shop for Men’s Clothes
- The Best Places to Buy Cheap Suits
- How to Look More Handsome and Attractive
- The Best Athletic Fit Dress Pants for Men
- Semi Formal for Men: The Ultimate Guide
- The (Absolute) Best Athletic Fit Dress Shirts for Muscular Guys
- The Quickest, Most Effective Way to Measure Your Sleeve Length
- How to Create a Personal Style Profile
- How to Measure Your Pants Inseam
- The Most Stylish, Stretchy & Comfortable Suits for Men
- In Review: Alain Dupetit’s (Suspiciously Affordable) Suits
- The 21 Best Shoes to Wear with Shorts
- The Best Peaky Blinders Suits for Sale Online
- The 50 Best Suit Brands for Men
Banner photo: ABGJ / Shutterstock; Illustration: Irreverent Gent
