Rat Pack Tux Guidelines for BACbros
Your "Rat Pack" aka BAC Pack Tux look (within our BAC guidelines) will be whatever makes
you feel at your best. From impeccably dressed to as casual as your inner crooner -- you
decide. It's up to you to create or -- if you wish emulate -- and become your most confident,
cool, sophisticated, professional or laid back self. While Frank, Sammy, Dean and Peter are
terrific models for our BAC Pack -- so too are a vast array of others from James Bond to
Justin Timberlake.
Shawl
Peak
Now let's get to the BAC Guidelines for your creation.
Tux Color -- Black Only
Jacket Style Choices: Single-Breasted Only with Notch, Peak and Shawl Lapels
Jacket lapels are covered in satin material.
Make sure your jacket sleeves are tailored to assure your shirt cuffs protrude 1/2"
Notch
Peak
Shawl
Tux Shirt Style Choices: Non Pleated Lay Down Collar, Pleated Lay Down Collar or Wing Collar
Shirt Cuff Styles: French Cuff Only (but cheaters are OK too.)
Non Pleated Lay Down Collar
Pleated Lay Down Collar
Shirt Studs Color & Style: Black Only with unlimited style choices
Wingtip Collar
Black Bow Tie Most Common Styles:
The shape is a matter of personal preference although the pointed
pointed-end
end designs
d
coordinate
nicely with the angularity of peaked lapel jackets and wing
wing-collar shirts. The dotted lines
shown on the patterns indicate where the tie blades (ends) are folded to create the bow
shape. In the case of pointed ties, the two points are aachieved
chieved when the pointed tip of one
blade extends beyond the square fold of the overlapping blade. Like the jacket lapels, a
quality bow tie will always be constructed of pure silk.
Name
Bow Shape
Tie Shape
Tie Width
classic "butterfly"
3" to 3½"
modern "butterfly"
or "thistle"
(classic "semibutterfly")
2¼" to 2¾"
"batwing"
(classic "straightend" or "club")
1½" to 2"
"pointed"
A butterfly or batwing design can have pointed ends for a unique and classic effect.
When worn with wing collars, bow ties are placed in front of the wings. This positioning is
not only proper etiquette but also a practical choice as the collar’s wings will help to keep
the bow in place by pressing it forward.
The quirky irregularities of a self-tied
tied bow
give it personality and flair ...
-- while the cookie-cutter
cutter precision of a pre-tied
pre
model diminishes it to an assembly-line
assembly
commodity
Tux Pants and Belts vs Suspenders: Tuxedo pants feature matching satin stripe going down the outer
leg of the pants. No belts please. Black Suspenders may be clip or as shown here button-on's
Vest Styles (All Black)
Adding a vest is an option you may want to consider. Worn formally or casually it's just one
more way to add some mystery and panache to your persona.
More Pictures To Fire Your Imagination + A Frank Rule or Two Or More:
“For me, a tuxedo is a way of life. When an invitation says black tie optional, it is always safer to wear black
tie. My basic rules are to have shirt cuffs extended half an inch from the jacket sleeve. Trousers should
break just above the shoe. Try not to sit down because it wrinkles the pants. If you have to sit, don’t cross
your legs. Pocket handkerchiefs are optional, but I always wear one. Shine your Mary Janes on the
underside of a couch cushion.”
According to Ol’ Blue Eyes, one half inch of a man’s shirt cuffs must protrude from his jacket sleeve,
trousers should fall slightly above the shoe, black is the only appropriate color to wear after dark, vests are
better than cummerbunds, and you shouldn’t forget to shine your shoes.
Other hallmarks of the singer’s style include gold cuff links, perfectly folded pocket handkerchiefs, fedoras,
conservative silk ties, bow ties, and a distinct lack of jewelry. Ties should be black silk. Cuff links always. But
leave the fancy jewelry to Sammy. When dressing formally, a vest is better than a cummerbund. A pocket
handkerchief is essential, but it needs to be perfectly folded. You’ll need to cock your hat when you wear a
Fedora. There is no occasion on which it’s inappropriate to dress to the nines.