Tuxedo Accessories 101

The Bow Tie

A bow tie is the standard neckwear for any black tie occasion. It completes the tuxedo shirt collar and is considered a required piece of formal wear at black tie events, not an optional one. Most bow ties come in two forms: self-tie, which you tie yourself and produces a slightly imperfect, natural-looking result, and pre-tied, which offers consistency and ease.

The classic color for a black tie outfit is black, typically in a silk or satin finish that matches the tuxedo's lapel fabric. That said, bow ties are also one of the more flexible accessories when it comes to injecting a pop of color or personal style into a formal look. A deep burgundy, navy, or ivory bow tie can shift the entire tone of an outfit while still reading as formal.

SuitShop carries bow ties in a variety of colors to match or contrast their tuxedo offerings.

A few bow tie considerations:

• Silk finishes tend to photograph well and hold their shape
• Self-tie styles are preferred in traditional formal settings
• Width should be proportional to your lapel size
• Pre-tied options are a reliable choice for wedding parties where consistency matters

The Pocket Square

A pocket square goes in the breast pocket of the tuxedo jacket and serves as a visual anchor for the upper half of the outfit. It is one of the few tuxedo accessories where presentation varies widely, from the flat presidential fold to the more casual puff fold, each creating a different effect.

For black tie, a white pocket square in a flat or one-point fold is the most traditional choice. It pairs cleanly with any tuxedo color and reads as intentional without drawing attention away from the overall look. More creative folds and colored options work well for weddings and semi-formal occasions where personal style plays a bigger role.

SuitShop offers pocket squares in a range of colors and patterns to pair with their full accessories collection.

For more information on folding a pocket square, please refer to our guide.

Cufflinks and Shirt Studs

Cufflinks and shirt studs replace the standard buttons on a formal tuxedo shirt. Cufflinks fasten the shirt cuffs, while shirt studs run down the front placket in place of the usual buttons. Together, they give a tuxedo shirt its finished, intentional look.

Shirt studs typically come in sets of three to five, depending on the shirt, and are available in metal finishes ranging from classic silver and gold to black onyx and mother of pearl. The choice of metal often sets a tone for the whole outfit. Silver-tone hardware reads as clean and contemporary; gold leans more traditional and warm.

SuitShop carries cufflinks and accessories designed to pair with their tuxedo shirts and suiting. When coordinating a full look, it helps to match cufflink and stud finishes across all the hardware in the outfit, including belt buckles or suspender hardware if applicable.

What to look for in shirt studs and cufflinks:

• Match metal tone across all accessories in the outfit
• Studs should sit flush against the placket without bulk
• Cufflinks work best with French cuff or convertible cuff shirts
• Black onyx studs are a popular choice for classic black tie looks

The Cummerbund and Waistcoat

A cummerbund or waistcoat covers the waistband of the tuxedo trousers and creates a clean, uninterrupted line from the jacket's bottom button to the trouser top. It’s an optional element, but without one, the shirt bunches at the waist when the jacket opens, which breaks the formality of the silhouette.

Cummerbund: A pleated fabric band that wraps around the waist. It is worn with the pleats facing upward, a detail that comes from its origin as a place to tuck opera tickets. In traditional black tie, the cummerbund matches the bow tie in fabric and color.

Waistcoat (vest): A more structured option that offers additional coverage and a slightly different silhouette. Waistcoats work particularly well with tuxedos that have a peak lapel or when the wearer prefers a vest-style look over a fabric band.

SuitShop carries vests that can be styled with their tuxedo separates for a layered formal look. Jackets and trousers at SuitShop are sized separately, so a vest can be added to any combination without being locked into a predetermined set.

Suspenders

Suspenders hold the tuxedo trousers at the correct height and eliminate the need for a belt, which is traditionally not worn with formal tuxedo attire. A belt at the waist also interrupts the clean line that a cummerbund or waistcoat is meant to create, so suspenders are the functional and stylistic choice for formal dressing.

For black tie, suspenders are typically worn in black or white, in a silk or satin finish that complements the rest of the formal outfit. Clip-on styles are common and practical, while button-on suspenders attach to buttons sewn inside the waistband for a more traditional result.

SuitShop carries suspenders that pair well with their tuxedo and suit separates. They are a good choice any time someone wants to skip the belt without sacrificing the look of a well-put-together outfit.

Dress Shoes and Socks

The shoes and socks worn with a tuxedo matter more than people expect. A formal tuxedo reads as incomplete when paired with the wrong footwear, no matter how well the rest of the outfit is put together.

For classic black tie, black patent leather oxfords are the traditional standard. Their high-gloss finish mirrors the satin details of a tuxedo jacket's lapels and cummerbund, creating a cohesive formal look from collar to floor. Black leather cap-toe oxfords are a slightly less formal but still appropriate option.

Black dress socks are standard. Over-the-calf socks are preferred for formal occasions because they stay in place when seated or crossing your legs, avoiding the awkward gap between sock and trouser hem.

SuitShop carries dress shoes and socks designed to complete a formal outfit. For weddings where color coordination matters across a group, SuitShop's range makes it easy to keep footwear consistent.

Quick reference for tuxedo footwear:

• Patent leather oxford: most formal, ideal for galas and black tie
• Leather, suede, or velvet loafers: fashion-forward
• Cap-toe oxford: slightly less formal, highly versatile
• Avoid square-toe shoes, chunky soles, or anything with heavy contrast stitching
• Socks should match the trouser color and reach over the calf

The Lapel Pin

A lapel pin is an optional tuxedo accessory that sits on the left lapel of the jacket. It is one of the more expressive pieces available in formal wear, offering a small but visible point of personal style in an otherwise standardized dress code.

For weddings, lapel pins are often used to distinguish the groom from groomsmen, or to add a floral or decorative element that coordinates with the event's theme. Common styles include simple metal pins, floral sprays, and enamel designs. When used thoughtfully, a lapel pin adds a layer of detail that feels intentional rather than overdone.

Tuxedo Accessories by Dress Code

Not every formal event calls for every accessory. Here is a general guide to what each dress code typically requires:

Tying It All Together for a Wedding

Weddings are the occasion where tuxedo accessories carry the most visible weight. Every piece is on display in photographs, in the ceremony, and throughout the reception. The right accessories create a unified look across a wedding party and add personal meaning to an already significant event.

Coordinating accessories across a group requires planning: deciding on a bow tie color, matching pocket square folds, and agreeing on shoe styles all contribute to how the wedding party reads as a cohesive unit. SuitShop's group ordering tools make it straightforward to coordinate those details across multiple people, regardless of their individual sizing needs.

When five or more registered wedding party members order from SuitShop, one person gets a free, yours-to-keep suit. That means the people doing the organizing get something back for the effort of pulling a full look together.

Shop Tuxedos and Accessories at SuitShop

SuitShop carries everything needed to build a complete formal outfit from collar to shoe and a full accessories collection featuring bow ties, pocket squares, cufflinks, shirt studs, suspenders, and dress shoes.

Every piece is available to buy and keep, not rent, at price points that make it practical to own a complete formal wardrobe rather than assembling one on loan for a single occasion.

Start building your look at SuitShop and use the Fit Finder to match each piece to your measurements. Whether you are shopping solo or coordinating a full wedding party, the tools are there to make it simple.