There are several theories about the “invention” of the tuxedo; one of the most popular stories credits a man by the name of Pierre Lorillard IV.

Pierre Lorillard was a wealthy tobacco magnate of the 19^th century.  He and his family lived 40 miles northwest of New York City in a residential colony called Tuxedo Park.

Pierre Lorillard helped establish Tuxedo Park as an elite hunting and fishing destination and it soon became a high profile residence and resort for the worlds rich and famous.  Tuxedo Park’s residents and regular guests established their own social organization called the Tuxedo Club.

The Tuxedo Club’s 1^st annual Autumn Ball was held in October 1886.  At the time men’s formal dress consisted of a long tailcoat and white tie.  Pierre Lorillard commissioned a modified “tailless” black jacket to wear to the ball; the jacket was shaped like the red riding jacket typically worn for fox hunts.

Pierre Lorillard did not wear the new style of jacket to the ball, but his son Griswold, along with several friends, did.  The short jacket was instantly admired as a striking fashion statement.      

This short jacket was quickly copied and when gentleman wearing tuxedos were admitted to the Dress Circle of New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1889, the success of this new trend was confirmed.

This new trend was named the “tuxedo” after the town of its debut and quickly rose from a fashion trend to a timeless classic.

Since then, innovation has carried the tuxedo from a single breasted peak lapel style to many other styles including the ever appropriate notch lapel, the single breasted shawl lapel, the double breasted jacket, and the huge number of modern variations available today.