The Canadian Tuxedo: Twinning with Radical Ralphie
Did you know that the term Canadian Tuxedo originated in 1951 when Bing Crosby was refused entry into a Canadian hotel because he was wearing a denim top with denim bottoms? Apparently, this denim on denim look did not satisfy the dress code. Upon learning of the incident, Levi Strauss designed a denim tuxedo as a publicity stunt and the Canadian tuxedo was born. Read more about The History of the Canadian Tuxedo.
Those fashion forward folks reading this may already know that denim on denim done right is perfectly on trend while a double denim concoction with too closely related denim pieces can be a fashion disaster. Generally, when combining two denim pieces, it is best advised that the colors of the denim be different and most preferably, vastly different. Black with blue denim or white with black denim or blue with white denim generally always work. Light washed blue denim with dark washed blue denim can also create a pleasing sartorial effect. However, when you are a 6 year old boy, it is all about matching…like exactly matching.
I spotted this cute Cat & Jack denim jacket at a local second hand shop for just $2 so I bought it for Ralphie. When I showed it to him, he got very excited and immediately proclaimed that it would match perfectly with jeans….because it was made of jeans. Then he got out his three pairs of jeans and held them all up against his new preloved denim jacket until he found the pair that most closely matched. This fashionista momma cringed on the inside, but indulged and supported his fashion decisions. And then I explained to him about the Canadian Tuxedo. He knew what a tuxedo was and therefore his sweater with the necktie graphic was the obvious choice.
And then…be still my heart…he wanted me to wear a Canadian Tuxedo with him. I have worn double denim outfits before but never quite like this. The child gave me no direction. Just asked if we could match. So I put my styling magic to the test and what you see is the result. Shelbee on the Edge twinning with Radical Ralphie in our Canadian Tuxedos. Photo credit goes to Archie who froze his fingers off trying to capture these images in 40 mph winds. God bless their little hearts!
What are your thoughts about the Canadian Tuxedo, or the denim on denim trend? Especially with completely matching denim pieces? Does it work or is it a giant fail?
Check out how Ralphie styled his necktie sweater on Saturday evening to attend a Christmas musical.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop Ralphie’s look…
Outfit Details: Jacket-Thrifted (Cat & Jack) / Sweater and Jeans-Crazy 8 (Old) / Gray Tee Shirt-Walmart (Old) / Boots-Target (Old)
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: Jacket-Thrifted (Old Navy) / Jeans-Levis (Gifted from my sister) / Shirt-Old Navy (Old) / Cashmere Sweater-Kohl’s (Old) / Necktie-Thrifted (Hugo Boss) / Socks-DSW (Old) / Shoes-Steve Madden (Old) / Earrings (Old)
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
37 Comments
mireille
How fun! I had not heard of the Canadian Tuxedo: fun fact! Love the twinning and I love how children think. Good job to Archie with the pics too!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Mireille! This was fun to get dressed with Ralphie and we were all laughing during the photo shoot because we were so cold and the wind was crazy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ruth Josey
I had no idea where that nickname came from – how interesting! I love denim on denim and I think I have that exact denim jacket, Shelbee. It’s just easy. Sweater underneath and scarf on top and done (with a bit of warmth). It’s just great when you don’t have time to put thought into your outfit but want to look like you tried a little. Unless it turns out like this: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2016/11/130954/justin-timberlake-britney-spears-canadian-tuxedo-comment. It’s so hard to match denims so I usually try to wear light bottoms with darker jacket and vice versa. I love the Mom and son looks – how precious! Cherish the times now (and you know this with one who’s a tween) that they want to do what you do and match outfits! And bless Archie’s heart for putting up with it all <3 And the red/gray/black look for all three of you in the last photo – such a beautiful picture!
Ruth
https://voguefauxreal.com/2019/12/09/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ruth! I laughed so hard at the Justin-Britney picture because that is the photo that pops up all over the place if you search for denim on denim! It is so funny. But they were totally trending! I wish I had gotten a photo with our feet in it from the Christmas show…I am wearing silver velvet boots with mine and they looked so cute! I will have to wear that outfit again and do a proper photo shoot. While Archie was super cooperative (with bribery) in taking our photos, he was soooo mad at me for making him wear a sweater to the show!
xoxo
Shelbee
Roxanne
Little Ralphie is such a stud! The camera loves him! I love a Canadian tuxedo!
–Roxanne
https://glassofglam.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Roxanne! I can’t wait until you start with matching outfits with Baby Glam!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ellibelle
You both look so cute and what a great post. Personally I’ve never worn denim on denim, and as much as I LOVE my blue jeans I rarely if ever wear a denim jacket. But this looks fantastic on the two of you and how wonderful that he wanted you to twin with him! So cute!
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ellibelle! I don’t know why but this totally cracked me up wearing matching outfits! I think because you see mommy and me outfits so often with little girls but not so much with the boys. I don’t find denim jackets all that comfortable, but this one I found thrifting and it’s extra big which helps with the comfort factor.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Both of you are looking great. Very nice.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Patrick! Much appreciated!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lizzie
Aww you both look so cute in your denim! I especially love how you styled yours with the metallic shoes and polka dot tie 🙂
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lizzie! I wasn’t sure how I was going to replicate his tie sweater and then I remember I had purchased two ties at a thrift shop a few years ago when I was really into menswear inspired looks.
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
That is awesome! I think it is so sweet that he wanted you to match and you both look great too.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Joanne! I was so uncertain how I was going to pull this off. But we sure had fun doing it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Maureen
Both you and Ralphie are rocking this denim on denim trend and I adore Ralphie’s graphic sweater. That’s just too adorable. I hope you had a great weekend and here we are again, another Monday! Can you believe it’s just 9 days away from Christmas?
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Maureen! We had fun with this one, for sure. I cannot believe that Christmas is next week. It feels super weird!
I am ready and I am not ready.
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
I never heard the background of this story….how interesting!!
And what a fabulous time to match like this Shelbee! It goes to show that fashion and style work for any age!
Xoxo
Jodie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jodie! I didn’t know the history of the term either and I looked it up because I wanted to make sure it didn’t have some offensive politically incorrect meaning! Hahaha. It is a super cute story!
xoxo
Shelbee
Cary Jo
Love all of this!So fun! You are such a great mom, role model and fashionista. Good job!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Cary Jo! I really appreciate that!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
He looks so cute!! Love your look, too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! This was fun to style with him.
xoxo
Shelbee
Ashley
You both look awesome and love the background story!!
https://www.makelifemarvelous.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Ashley! I didn’t know the story until I just looked it up to ensure there wasn’t some politically incorrect meaning behind the phrase! Ha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Claire
You both look great. Love your outfits 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Claire! This was fun dressing up with my little guy.
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
While I realize matchy-matchy denim is supposed to be a fashion faux pas, I think it works, because the match is almost perfect. If they almost matched, but not quite, that would drive me nuts. But both of you matched really well. And then there is what you wear with it. I really like your white shirt and black tie with your matchy denim. And Ralphie’s sweater is awesome.
Kudos to your kids for being such good sports about doing this photo shoot in the cold. Archie did a great job!
Michelle
http://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! I was really pleased with how our outfits turned out, too. However, I am really upset with Ralph right now because throughout the day he kept chewing on the neck of his sweater. I just pulled it out of the dryer, hoping it would have gone back to its proper shape after washing and drying, and now the neckline is all misshapen! I don’t know what it is with this kid always chewing on his clothes! Drives me crazy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Denim is my fav material!! Thanks for linking up at the #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 7.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Dee! It is definitely a closet staple for me as well.
xoxo
Shelbee
Dan Rodemsky
The National Geographic part of the Disney Plus channel has a great show starring Jeff Goldblum. They had a show dedicated to denim. I think you would enjoy it. I have never heard of a Canadian Tuxedo 🤣. That’s cool! There’s a difference between fashion and style. Your kid wanting double denim is a style statement. He’s not concerned with the latest fashion runway models, he knows what he likes. 👍
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Dan! I agree that my son does not give a damn about any style forecasts or any of that other stuff that tends to rule society. I suspect he will always be that way and that’s a good thing! Thanks for the information about the Disney denim show. That does sound interesting!
xoxo
Shelbee
jess jannenga
I enjoy the Radical Ralphie posts! What a neat idea to wear the tie shirt as a part of the Canadian Tuxedo! I never heard this , so it was an interesting tidbit about Bing Crosby! I think it was cute he wanted you to dress the same style. Love your tie and those brogues!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Jess! Isn’t the tie sweater with the Canadian tuxedo hilarious!? Clever little boy I have. I didn’t know the history of the term Canadian tuxedo either and I went to look it up because I wasn’t sure if the term had some offensive meaning. Haha.I hope you are enjoying your holidays in Pennsylvania! I just took a whirlwind 36 hour trip to North Carolina and got to Pennsylvania yesterday.
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
So cute you could match outfits with your son! 🙂 I like to dress the boys in matching outfits and my sister and I ended up in matching outfits last week, haha! But it’s hard to coordinate much with the boys, I should do it more often! It was easier when they were little and I could pick out their clothes!
Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! A new link up is live on my blog now, I’d love you to join again.
I’ll be taking a few days away from the blog over Christmas so wanted to wish you a merry Christmas! Hope you have a great one 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Mica! My kids actually like dressing like each other and often have the same tee shirts and such so that they can coordinate and match. I am sure they will outgrow it someday, but for now I will just enjoy it because it is all kinds of cute! I am also taking a few days off (except for responding to comments right now on Christmas day). I hope you are enjoying your holiday. May your days be filled with peace, love, and joy! Merry Christmas!
xoxo
Shelbee
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