TOM FORD Tuxedos - A Guide to Black Tie Rules, Windsor, Atticus, Shelton & O’Connor Fits - 2025 Update
Experience Unrivaled Black Tie Luxury with TOM FORD
Whether you’re attending a wedding, gala, or night at the theater, a TOM FORD tuxedo is the definitive choice for modern evening wear. Tom Ford himself once stated, “Menswear is a detail-driven business,” and his immaculately tailored tuxedos reflect this philosophy — offering luxurious fabrics, sculpted silhouettes, and meticulous attention to detail.
Why Choose a TOM FORD Tuxedo?
- Signature Craftsmanship: Hand-finished details and the highest-quality materials ensure a garment that drapes flawlessly and lasts a lifetime.
- Iconic Status: The go-to label for sophisticated men, epitomizing powerful, contemporary elegance.
- Impeccable Fit: Choose from the classic authority of the Windsor, Atticus, or Shelton, or the streamlined precision of the O’Connor fit (details below).
Mastering the Rules of Black Tie
“Black Tie” refers to formal evening attire, and following the rules shows respect for your host and the event. While tuxedo, black tie, and dinner jacket are often used interchangeably, the styling is what truly defines the look.
Lapels & Bow Ties — The Crucial Details
- Acceptable Lapels: Shawl collars or peak lapels are the only acceptable options for both single- and double-breasted tuxedos. Notch lapels are not recommended.
- Bow Tie Fabric: The fabric of your self-tied bow tie should always match the fabric of your lapels and the stripe on your trousers (satin, grosgrain, or velvet). Pre-tied or long ties are not acceptable.
Recommended TOM FORD Bow Tie Styles
| Face Shape | Recommended Style |
|---|---|
| Short, Thin Face/Neck | The Straight End (Batwing) |
| Round, Large Face | The Butterfly |
| Most Men (Neutral) | The Semi-Butterfly (Thistle) |
| Angular, Sharp Features | The Straight End (Pairs well with peak lapels) |
The Essentials of Black Tie Attire
- Shirt: A traditional button-up with a spread collar and French cuffs. Avoid button-down collars.
- Footwear: Calfskin, patent leather, or velvet. Premium tuxedo shoes feature high-gloss finishes designed for evening wear. Velvet loafers are another refined choice.
- Trousers: No belt. Opt for side adjusters or suspenders instead.
- Socks: Solid black, extending over the calf — no exceptions.
- Pocket Square: Always wear one. White silk is timeless, while burgundy adds a subtle contrast.
- Boutonniere: Optional — select a single blossom in white or red.
The Time Rule & Outerwear
- The Time Rule: Tuxedos should never be worn during the day. Always dress for the event’s end time. If a wedding starts in the afternoon and ends in the evening, your TOM FORD tuxedo is appropriate. (If the host requests Black Tie, always comply.)
- Colder Weather: Pair your tuxedo with a charcoal gray, black, or navy dress overcoat. If wearing a scarf, choose white.
Signature Fits: Windsor vs. O’Connor
Choosing the right fit is key to achieving the perfect TOM FORD look.
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TOM FORD Windsor Tuxedo (Fit "A")The classic TOM FORD cut — a powerful, authoritative silhouette.
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TOM FORD Atticus TuxedoA balanced cut with a refined modern profile.
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TOM FORD Shelton TuxedoA slimmer cut for a modern, streamlined silhouette.
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TOM FORD O’Connor Tuxedo (Fit "Y")The most contemporary and fitted silhouette, often seen on-screen.
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Explore TOM FORD Dinner Jackets
For a distinguished look that transcends the traditional tuxedo, explore TOM FORD’s dinner jacket collection:
- White and Ivory Shawl-Collar Jackets
- White and Ivory Peaked-Lapel Jackets
- Multi-Colored Velvet Jackets
Browse Tuxedos & Dinner Jackets
Base / Fit Overview
TOM FORD
Windsor
Base A / Fit A
The classic Tom Ford cut. Although it’s described as a classic cut it is actually a modern cut with a suspended waist. The Lapels are wide and the trousers do fit medium. The shoulders are quite broad which gives the wearer a strong silhouette. It’s double vented.
Explore the Windsor Collection
Discover our range of Windsor fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Regency
Base B / Fit B
The slimmer Tom Ford cut. The lapels are medium wide. The shoulder is medium shaped and the waist is very suppressed. The trousers are very slim. The Regency cut is available as both single and double vented.
Explore the Regency Collection
Discover our range of Regency fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Buckingham
Base C / Fit C
The Base C cut has only be available in the first couple of years as Ready to Wear Tom Ford collection in the London and Milan flag ship stores. The Base C is close to the Wetherby cut so it has huge lapels and a broad firm shoulder. The difference are the peaked lapels as an option where the Wetherby has always notched lapels, it’s single vented and the trousers are medium fitted.
Explore the Buckingham Collection
Discover our range of Buckingham fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Spencer
Base D / Fit D
A slim Tom Ford cut. The lapels are wide. The shoulder is medium shaped and the waist is very suppressed. The trousers are very slim. The Spencer cut is available as both single and double vented.
Explore the Spencer Collection
Discover our range of Spencer fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Buckley
(Base E / Fit E + Base V / Fit V)
The Buckley is a short and slimmer Tom Ford cut. The lapels are medium shaped and it has an narrow shoulder. The waist and trousers are very fitted. The jackets are partial lined. The Difference between E and V (sometimes on tags as Basic Base V Nuova) is based on production period. The E is the successor and was introduced in Spring / Summer 2016.
Explore the Buckley Collection
Discover our range of Buckley fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Falconer
Base F / Fit F
The Falconer is named afther George Falconer, themain character of Tom Ford’s first film A Single Man and it was the first slim lapel jacket made for the Tom Ford brand. It is a slimmer and more fashionable Tom Ford cut. The shoulder is straight and it has smaller lapels, a suppressed waist, three buttons on sleeve instead of five and it is single vented. The trousers are slim. The jackets lacks the ticket pocket which all other flap pocket Tom Ford suits do have.
Explore the Falconer Collection
Discover our range of Falconer fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Mountbatten
Base L / Fit L
The Mountbatten cut has only been available in the Fall Winter 2010 collection. It is a slimmer and more fashionable Tom Ford cut. The shoulder is straight and it has smaller notched lapels, a suppressed waist and it is single vented. The trousers are slim.
Explore the Mountbatten Collection
Discover our range of Mountbatten fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Base M / Fit M (No name available)
Base M / Fit M
Very rare cut. It is a slimmer and more fashionable Tom Ford cut. The shoulder is straight and it medium peaked lapel shaped like the O’Connor but a little but wider, a very suppressed waist and it is single vented.
Explore the Base M / Fit M Collection
Discover our range of Base M / Fit M suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
O'Connor
Base S / Fit S, Base Y / Fit Y, Base W / Fit W
The O’Connor cut is a very slim Tom Ford cut like the Regency but with a very small lapel. The shoulders are narrow and the waist is very suppressed. The trousers are very slim. Base S / Fit S is the lined version with a single vent, Base Y / Fit Y is the lined version with a double vent and Base W / Fit W is the partial and unlined version with a single vent.
Explore the O’Connor Collection
Discover our range of O’Connor fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Alexander
Base Z / Fit Z
It’s a slimmer Tom Ford cut with a medium lapel wide, medium shoulder and a regular suppressed waist. The trousers fit medium. The unique thing about the Alexander cut are the gauntlet (turn back) cuffs. The gauntlet cuff, also called a turn back cuff, is a cuff that can be turned from the end of the sleeve to approximately the first button. Originally an Edwardian detail, it saw a return to popularity in the 50’s and 60’s. It’s mostly decorative but if done right, it can add some flair to a jacket or overcoat. They also have a more practical use: if the gauntlet cuff is worn out, it can be removed to reveal a brand new and unworn sleeve edge under the cuff.
Explore the Alexander Collection
Discover our range of Alexander fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Wetherby
Base T / Fit T
The Wetherby is the 30’s inspired Tom Ford cut. It is quiet unique and it not available anymore as Ready To Wear. It is still possible to order one in the Made To Measure program. It has the widest lapels Tom Ford offers. It has a wider cut with broad shoulders. The trousers are very wide as well. Base T is most often known as Wetherby, but it also refers to the Snowdon fit from Spring 2011. The characteristics of Snowdon vs Wetherby were much wider and stronger shoulders on the Snowdon jackets with a light rope, whereas the Wetherby jackets had a heavier rope but the shoulders were more traditional.
Explore the Wetherby Collection
Discover our range of Wetherby fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Shelton
No Base / Fit mentioned on the label
The Shelton was introduced in 2016 and is based on the Windsor with a modern cut. The jackets have the same wide lapels and the fit is slightly slimmer. The difference is in the shoulder: the Shelton has a more natural shoulder with less padding compared to the Windsor. Also where the Windsor trousers have a classic cut and fit quite wide is the Shelton modern and tapered. The Shelton started as single vented but is since 2000 available as dual vented as well.
Explore the Shelton Collection
Discover our range of Shelton fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Atticus
No Base / Fit mentioned on the label
The Atticus was introduced in 2019 and is a new modern cut based on the Windsor. Where the Shelton has more natural shoulders and runs a bit shorter the Atticus is loyal to the Tom Ford look: strong and broad shoulders and the jackets runs longer like the Windsor. The lapels are wide and come in a different shape than the Windsor / Shelton cut. Also where the Windsor trousers have a classic cut and fit quite wide is the Atticus modern and tapered.
Explore the Atticus Collection
Discover our range of Atticus fit suits that combine classic style with modern elegance.
Cooper
Dyllan
