Listen to this blog as a podcast:
Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo has the most extensive selection and inventory of plus-size tuxedos and suits for rental and purchase. In fact, we are also very experienced in helping plus-sized brides and plus-sized mothers of the bride and grooms find the perfect fit.
We feel everyone has the right to feel handsome and beautiful for your special occasion and have just the advice for you on the big day when it comes to plus size formal attire.
What is a Plus-Size Tuxedo or Suit?
We often have brides and grooms tell us that they have “really big” guys in their wedding party. They are often afraid that we will not have their sizes for the wedding. We have very good news for you. Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo offers an immense variety of sizes in suit jackets, tuxedo jackets, pants, shirts, vests and shoes.
Whether you are going for a classic look or just need a dinner jacket we have you covered for all of your formal events. In fact, our sizes for each below item, ranges as follows:
- Jackets – 3B (boys) up to size 80R
- Pants – 18 (boys) up to size 64 waist
- Vest – Boys extra small vests up to 5X adult vests (some designers have 6X vests)
- Shirts – Boys extra small up to a 7X adult shirts with up to 39 inch sleeves.
- Shoes 1B up to 18 men’s (wide shoes are available up to size 16)
While our jacket sizes go up to size 80R, some of our designers top out at size 70R. The good news is that our largest size we have ever fitted anyone with is a size 72R jacket. Therefore, our wide selection has never caused us to turn anyone away due to a sizing issue.
Some of our more interesting specialty coats top out at sizes 56R and 66R, depending on the designer.
And fortunately, we do not charge additional fees for our rental packages for a great fit, even in our larger sizes.
So back to the question, what is considered a plus-size tuxedo or suit? As of this writing, our professional opinion and experience of dressing thousands of men every year is that size 60R or above would be considered plus size. As you can see, even the smallest of our largest sizes go to size 66R, most of our designers go up to size 70R and a few of them make jacket sizes up to size 80R.
You can be assured that our tuxedo styles come in a wide range of sizes and will have a modern look.
Tall Tuxedos and Tall Suits
Another question we sometimes receive from brides and grooms is if we have jacket and shirt sleeves and pants long enough for any of their very tall groomsmen. In all honesty, we have never had a situation where we couldn’t accommodate an adult’s jacket sleeve length, pants length and shirt sleeve length.
Our jacket sleeves can be made to be extra long. In fact, in a very rare situation, we have very talented seamstresses and tailors who can add length to jacket sleeves to make them even longer than the standard extra long length. However, we have found that the standard extra long length has always been more than adequate for our customers.
Our pants lengths are almost limitless so again, we’ve never had a problem with pants lengths.
As for tuxedo or suit shirt sleeve lengths, we have the following lengths for adults:
- 30-31 inches
- 32-33 inches
- 34-35 inches
- 36-37 inches
- 38-39 inches
We have never had anyone needing a shirt sleeve longer than 39 inches. We specifically remember one father of the groom needing the 39 inch sleeve shirt and he was 6 feet 9 inches. That shirt was perfect for his arms!
Tuxedo Jacket Sizing
Suit and tuxedo jacket lengths can be short, regular, long and extra long. That means that the length of the jacket around your hips can be longer by 1.5 to 2 inches based on the length of the jacket chosen.
As an example, extra long jacket, in any size, will be 1.5 inches longer than the long jacket. The lengths get progressively longer between the short jacket and the long jacket. This ensure the right size for all.
Even our fitting jackets we use to size our customers show you the different lengths of the jackets as displayed in the above picture.
The white line represents the length of the short jacket; the blue line is the length of the regular length jacket; the orange line is the length of the long jacket; and the red line is the length of the extra long jacket.
Why do designers make different length jackets? Let me give you an example why. My wife and I own Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo and I wear suits almost every day and tuxedos several times a year. My height is 5 feet 8 inches. I personally wear a short jacket because it looks very good relative to the proportion of my body and height.
I could probably get away with a regular length jacket (which would be 1.5 inches longer) however I feel that the short jacket looks more modern and stylish. A long jacket on me would be far too long and may even look silly.
The good news is we can alter the jacket sleeve lengths to any length a customer prefers but the proper length jacket must be chosen to insure a proper look.
Even taller guys will wear jackets a little shorter these days. It’s what is fashionable and part of the latest trends. We have seen grooms and groomsmen who are six feet tall that will still wear a regular length jacket, not a long jacket. It still looks wonderful. Once you start reaching 6 feet 2 inches or taller, we often may recommend a long jacket. Extra long jackets are often left to those who are 6 feet, 4 inches or taller.
As to whether you need an extra long jacket also depends on the proportion of the suit or tuxedo renter’s body. If the person has very long legs but a shorter torso, then a longer jacket may not be needed. If the torso is very long and the legs are relatively shorter, then certainly a longer jacket may be needed, That’s why we have the lines and extra length fabric on all of our fitting jackets so that we can determine the perfect length for the customer.
As with all things, it’s personal style whether you want a longer or shorter jacket. Experienced formal wear specialists will be able to help you make the best decision for you.
Either way, be sure to ask your tux shop if it can accommodate different length pants, jackets and shirt sleeves. You want your wedding party to be comfortable in what they are wearing and you want the suits and tuxedos to look on that person’s specific body type.
Initial Research for Your Wedding Suit or Tuxedo
If you are interested in plus-size tuxedos or suits for your wedding party, the first thing you need to do is find a tuxedo and suit shop that offers larger sizes. Not everyone offers larger sizes. The main reasons they may not offer plus size tuxedos are
1) the added cost of carrying the extra inventory
2) the higher cost that designers charge for plus size garments
3) the rare instances that the store may need larger sizes
In addition, once you have an idea of the style or designer you want for your wedding, it’s a very good idea to ask the rental companies the size range that it offers for rentals and purchases. It is extremely important to ask specifically about the style that you are interested in because each designer and style choice can have different minimum and maximum size offerings.
While you may not know the exact style that interests you as the groom and for your groomsmen when you first start your search, be sure to inquire about size ranges once you choose the tuxedo and suit styles for your wedding.
Don’t Be Afraid of Slim Fit
While relaxed fit tuxedo and suit styles are starting to become more popular, slim fit is still the norm and the most widely available. Please do not worry about the term “slim or trim fit” when you are a larger size. This is strictly a more streamlined and tapered look and does not really affect sizing availability. Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo has slim fit suits and tuxedos that go up to size 70R and are perfectly adequate and comfortable for a larger man. In fact, slim fit looks great on our larger customers.
Our store will place you in slim fit fitting clothes to show you both the specific looks and comfort level in your exact size. You will get a trial run before receiving your tuxedo / suit rental or purchase so you can see how it all looks and feels.
Fitted and Non-Fitted Dress Shirts
Many suit and tuxedo stores offer two different shirt styles: a fitted shirt and a non-fitted shirt. The fitted shirt is more tapered around the torso and sleeves. Essentially, there is less fabric around the shirt and it is usually more form fitting.
We have found that most larger men are often comfortable in a fitted shirt. All of our shirt offerings for our suit and tuxedo rentals have a one inch piece of elastic attached to the top button for extreme comfort. I personally love this feature and wear these shirts almost every day. Why? Because the collar of the shirt has one inch of give and never feels snug around the neck due to this elastic.
We suggest trying on a non-fitted shirt if a fitted shirt feels too tight. If a non-fitted shirt and fitted shirt are the same exact size, then the neck size will be the same exact size. The only difference is that the non-fitted shirt will be roomier around the stomach, chest and arms. Sometimes, this extra room is all the difference that is needed to create comfort in a particular shirt size.
The wonderful thing about trying on both fitted and non-fitted shirts is that you will know immediately which is more comfortable.
Portly Size Tuxedos
Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo also carries what is called portly size tuxedos. What is a portly size suit or tuxedo jacket? The jacket is designed to be looser in the waist and stomach areas but still fits properly in the shoulders. In addition, the jackets tend to be slightly longer so that it covers the stomach and does not look too short on the person.
A portly size jacket allows someone with a rounder or larger stomach and waist to look like he is wearing a fitted suit. In a normal classic or slim fit tuxedo or suit, men would need to choose a larger size jacket to accommodate the larger waist and stomach size. When you choose sizing based on the larger stomach and waist, the jacket may fit the waist and stomach, however it will be far too large in the chest and shoulders.
With a portly size jacket, the garment allows for adequate sizing and length in the stomach and waist area, while keeping the chest and shoulder areas smaller. This makes for a more proportional looking jacket.
If a portly customer wears a jacket that fits him in the waist and stomach, then the chest and shoulders tend to look one or two sizes too big. The portly size tuxedo or suit jacket fixes all of this and makes the shoulder and chest size look like it was made for the gentleman wearing it.
One trick of the trade we have learned is that if a portly man fits into a standard, non-portly jacket, then his portly size will most likely be one size smaller. As an example, if someone fits in a 52R non-portly jacket, his portly size will most likely be 50R, one size smaller. This is useful if your store of choice offers portly jackets for sale or rent but does not carry portly jackets for sizing.
Many of our portly customers are much more comfortable in a portly sized jacket, both comfort-wise and look-wise. This is a great choice for someone who is trying to look like he is wearing a fitted suit even if his body may not be cooperating with standard off-the-rack sizing.
Double-Breasted Jackets
A couple of years ago, the owners of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo visited a wedding dress designer in Milan, Italy. It was an interesting experience because he seemed to know the changes coming with fashion. In fact, we were surprised about what he told us. For many years, everyone wanted fitted, slim and even skinny styles. The designer told us that relaxed fit attire will become more popular in the next couple of years.
We were skeptical but a year later, we saw that he was correct. Europe started providing our double-breasted tuxedo jackets. Double-breasted suits and tuxedos are perfect for the ample size man because of how it masks any unwanted girth. The overlap fabric of the jacket covers up the stomach and waist area, giving an extra stream of fabric that covers the torso, stomach and waist.
Turns out, in 2025, in addition to the two double-breasted black and navy tuxedos we currently offer, we will be offering more double-breasted suits.
Do you have to be a large person to wear a double-breasted suit or tuxedo? No you do not. However, we do not feel that a very thin body looks good in a double-breasted suit or tuxedo.
In the end, we think the overall look of double-breasted suits and tuxedos are great for a larger man. He feels both comfortable and looks great; we think these are two of the most important things when it comes to formalwear.
Fabric Comfort
Many years ago, tuxedos and suits were made of fabrics that were too heavy and not so comfortable. Today, you will will find high quality tuxedos and suits made with breathable fabric in many different color options. Most are a comfortable wool and microfiber blend. Our customers come to our store and are surprised how soft and light our tuxedo and suit fabrics are. This is important because winter weddings or summer events can be equally uncomfortable with the incorrect dress code or fabrics.
The perfect suit is sometimes made from merino wool, which allows for excess heat to escape, keeping you comfortable and dry.
Either way, Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo is here to help you have an enjoyable experience when choosing your wedding attire. An affordable price is also something that we can offer you.
Plus-Size Tuxedos: Measuring and Fitting Procedures Advice
Measuring and being fitted for plus-size tuxedos often is not a big deal, however there are a few things to consider. Every tuxedo store has a different rental process. What should not be different is that your store pays meticulous attention to ensure the right fit.
First off, make sure your formal wear shop has adequate coverage in fitting clothes to size you. As an example, Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo has fitting clothes that ranges from 3B (boys) to size 70XL jackets. If the size is bigger than that, we can pull inventory from our warehouse for fitting purposes. We have found this range covers pretty much everyone we serve.
One time last year, we had to pull a 72R and a 74R jacket for someone to try on, however after fitting thousands of customers, that has only happened once. Without having plus-size tuxedos to try on and determine your jacket size, it will be challenging to know if it will fit.
Make sure the store has pants, shirts, vests and shoes that fit you. Our fitting pants go up to size 64, our fitting vests go up to 5X (although we have larger vests for rent) and our shirts go up to 7X5. Most of our shoes go up to 16 wide and some of our shoes will go to 18 M. We have yet to not be able to accommodate a shoe size.
Before venturing out to a selected formal wear store, communicate with your chosen store to see if they have fitting clothes that fit the range of sizes you need for yourself and your wedding party. Keep in mind that many of our customers tell us that they have “really big guys”. In our experience, honestly 99.5% of the time, that is not the case. The groomsmen are either very tall or maybe a 56R jacket, maximum. Tall or long arms is not an issue for us.
After reading this far into the blog, you can see that a 56R jacket really isn’t that big; we have you covered!
Just ask your guys what size they think they are. If they don’t know, wrapping a measuring tape around the person’s chest, under his arms, gives an estimate of their jacket size. Again this is only an estimate, not precise but it still gives you a good idea. If you measure 53 inches around the chest, the person is probably a 52 or 54 jacket. Expert stylists will be able to confirm the jacket size by having the customer put on a fitting jacket.
Find a Shop Experienced In Plus-Size Tuxedos
One way to determine if a tuxedo or suit shop is experienced with plus size men is to see if they invest in plus size fitting garments. You can see below, here is a photo of our fitting jackets, from size 3B to size 70XL. We mean business when it comes to accommodating a range of sizes.
A simple phone call, text, direct message or email to your preferred shop will allow you to get an idea if the shop can accommodate your wedding party.
Have a question about sizing for wedding suits or plus size tuxedos? Text us at 215-491-8500 and we will be happy to personally answer your question.
When you are ready to see our 61+ tuxedo and suits available for rent or sale, make your appointment with us online and we will take personal care of you, no matter what size you are! Whether you are looking for a timeless look, something with a modern twist or want to stick to a well-known brand, Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo will be your one-stop shop for your special event. We will be sure to provide you with a hassle-free experience when searching for your perfect tuxedo!
Have more questions? Text us at 215-491-8500.
About the Author: Franco Salerno is the co-founder and co-owner of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo. He has personally helped tens of thousands of grooms, groomsmen, fathers, ring bearers and prom-goers make a lasting impression for their formal occasions. He is an expert in curating a unique and classy look for each individual’s taste and style. He is also very experienced in ensuring the perfect fit. Let’s just say he’s been known to wear a bow tie or two over the years! Under his leadership, Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo has been featured on Apple News, is being featured in Apple ad campaigns and has won top 100 business in the United States by the US Chamber of Chamber of Commerce. Whether you are looking to dress in a black tux for your wedding day or want to make a splash on prom night, Franco’s vision and experience will make dressing for your a formal event a breeze. He is passionate about his business and enjoys international travel with his wife, Wendy and daughters (Daria and Deanna).