Davis Imperial Download: The Tuxedo

Brad and George show off classic peak and notched collared double-breasted styles

As Brad and George so adequately display, there’s nothing like a man in a tuxedo. And whether you’re in your first wedding or attending your twentieth formal event, there’s a couple of crucial details to keep in mind. So today, the team at Davis Imperial is giving you this handy cheat sheet to print out and bring with when renting or purchasing.

Fit
The first step to determining the right tux is to get professionally measured, ideally more than once if you’re purchasing (just to be certain of the sizing), but definitely each time if you rent.

Design
Any designer’s tux collection will likely include a double-breasted jacket option (meaning the buttons appear in two rows on top of each other), but the classic version of the tux is single-breasted with one line of buttons—ranging from one to four buttons.

The collar of the jacket is known as the lapel, and typically comes in three fashions:

1. Peak: points up just above the collar bone

2. Notched: one indentation where the lapel joins the collar

3. Shawl: the collar creates a smooth, curved line

Shirts are also broken down by collar:
1. Wing: a formal stand-up style with downward points
2. Crosswick: crossed in front and held together with a button
3. Mandarin: rounded and often worn without a tie

Details:
And for the guy who feels restricted by too much formality, add some personality through custom cuff links (also a great option for groomsmen gifts!), ties, vests, and cummerbunds.

Tom Ford in a shawl-collared tux from his eponymous line

Trends
“These days, younger men are returning to the elegant style of the tuxedo. This is a distinct departure from what used to be worn at many work and social functions,” says John Jones, co-owner of Chicago men’s boutique, George Greene. “In addition to the peaked lapel, there is a nod back to the elegance of the 30’s and 40’s. The double- breasted jacket with a peaked lapel has gained popularity. Grosgrain lapels are also growing in popularity, although the majority are still silk satin.”

Maintenance
The purchase of a designer or couture tuxedo requires a substantial investment. No matter what style you choose, after showing it off and having a great time wearing it, it's absolutely crucial to care for it correctly.

Only an experienced fabricare specialist like Davis Imperial Cleaners--not an ordinary dry cleaner!--should be given the responsibility to clean and press your tuxedo. By engaging this level of professional care, you can bank on the greatest chance of removing any stains, and know with certainty that your tuxedo will be properly detailed by an operator who is skilled with a hand-iron.

Selecting a specialty cleaner will help you avoid the possibility of getting your tux back with shiny labels that show multiple seam or pocket impressions, and will also prevent double creases and missing or cracked buttons. You need to make absolutely certain that your tux is cleaned and pressed by a team of experienced professionals. This is not the place to skimp. Remember you get what you pay for--choice in quality does not end after the tux is purchased.

Thanks for reading! Do you have any questions or tips about tuxedos that we didn’t cover? Leave us a comment here, on our Facebook or Twitter pages, or email us at davisimperial@gmail.com.

Image of Brad and George from Buzz Blog, Tux Lapel sketch via Grooms Groove, Tom Ford Image via People Watch

getting a peek behind the seams

Hello! My name is Brooke, and for just over a year now, I have written a blog called Always a Bridesmaid, which essentially covers everything weddings. Along the way, I've discovered countless incredible resources for brides, their party, and wedding-goers at large; from bridal boutiques to florists to dessert shops that would make a gal's mouth water. The wedding world in Chicago, like most communities once you infiltrate them, actually becomes quite intimate, and word-of-mouth is paramount. 

Over and over, one name seemed to keep popping up among brides and shop-owners: Davis Imperial Cleaners. Which, to be honest, didn't make a lot of sense to me--why were women gushing about a dry cleaner?  To me, they all seemed similar--neon signs in the front, pleasant employees working behind the desk, usually one seamstress on hand that always seemed to be hiding in the back room, and a wave of heat when you walked through the front door. In Chicago, cleaners are almost as plentiful as Starbucks, and if one doesn't work for you, there's always the competition down the street. 

So in hopes of bringing the best of the Chicago wedding and fashion world to my readers, I ventured out to Davis Imperial to see first-hand what the fuss was about.  Even from its exterior, the space looks nothing like a typical dry cleaner--elegantly crafted signage (no neon here!) displayed names like Chanel, and the windows themselves housed fashion that would fit perfectly within the walls of a high-end boutique. It's no wonder, as I discovered the visual merchandiser behind the displays held long-standing jobs at Neiman's and Armani. If a merchandiser seems out of place within the average idea of a dry cleaner, get used to it; once you experience the Davis Imperial difference first hand, the accolades they've been receiving--making "best of" lists in books such as CS, Chicago Magazine, CS Brides, and Esquire Magazine's: The Big Black Book-The Style Manual for Successful Men--are no surprise.

The difference is in the detail paid to every single service the Woods deliver. Lynda, Rick, and their son Jordan Wood are the tour de force behind the company, a business founded by Lynda's parents who opened the doors over 55 years ago. Somehow, they manage to strike a delicate balance between a luxury brand (take one look at the packaging the clothing is sent home in and the "welcome kit" clients receive when engaging their services, and you'll see there's no better word fit to describe them) and a family business, providing the style-obsessed of Chicago a trusted resource for all the most important events in their lives. The Woods don't just care about the bottom line, they care about the lives and the experience of their clients, treating them like family and never settling for less than the best.

Discovering the Davis Imperial name is like learning a vocabulary word you never knew before--once you hear it, suddenly it's everywhere. The influence of the brand and the family infiltrates the city's fashion and bridal world, and the stories aren't just about clothing care, they offer a peek into the life of a family and of Chicagoans everywhere. Which is why I am so honored to launch this blog that allows everyone to learn firsthand the Davis Imperial difference, and bring exclusive fashion and bridal events, tips, and tricks to readers. Not only that, but Lynda, Rick, and Jordan will be stopping by every Friday for a Q&A session, answering everything and anything you want to know about the world of clothing, weddings, style and fabricare.

Thanks so much for reading! And please, if you have any stories you'd like to share, questions to ask, or topics you'd love to read about, email me at davisimperialblog@gmail.com. To learn more about the Davis Imperial difference, click over to their site.

p.s. Now you can follow Davis Imperial on Twitter and friend them on Facebook for blog, event, and deal updates.