Learning how to put studs in a tuxedo shirt is one of those things that seems totally intuitive until you're actually standing in front of a mirror, five minutes behind schedule, holding a tiny piece of metal and wondering why your shirt has twice as many holes as it should. It's a classic "black tie" rite of passage. You've got the suit, the shoes are shined, and the bow tie is ready, but these little decorative fasteners are the final hurdle between you and looking like James Bond.
The truth is, tuxedo studs aren't complicated once you understand the mechanics, but they can be incredibly fiddly if you've never handled them before. They're essentially jewelry that replaces the buttons on the front of your shirt, and they add that polished, formal touch that separates a tuxedo from a standard suit. If you're currently staring at a box of studs and a shirt with extra holes, don't worry—we're going to walk through this step-by-step so you can get out the door looking sharp.
What exactly are these things?
Before we dive into the "how," it's helpful to know what you're working with. A standard tuxedo shirt usually has about four or five small holes running down the front placket where the buttons would normally be. On a high-quality formal shirt, you might notice that there are actually buttons hidden on the inside of the shirt, or perhaps no buttons at all in that middle section.
The studs themselves usually come in a set of four. They look a bit like miniature dumbbells or tiny mushrooms. One end is the "face"—the part people will see—which is often made of onyx, mother of pearl, or simple silver or gold. The other end is the "back," which is a flat or slightly rounded disc designed to hold the stud in place against the fabric.
Getting your shirt ready
The first mistake most guys make is trying to put the studs in while they're already wearing the shirt. Honestly, unless you have the finger dexterity of a concert pianist and eyes in your chest, this is a recipe for frustration. It is much easier to put the studs in while the shirt is laying flat on your bed or hanging on a hanger.
Take a look at the front of your shirt. You'll see two layers of fabric on the side with the holes (the placket). On a tuxedo shirt, there's usually a special "stud hole" located right next to the regular buttonhole, or the buttonhole itself is designed to accommodate the stud.
The step-by-step process
Here is the secret: you aren't just "buttoning" the stud through both layers of the shirt at once. You have to anchor it to the back layer first.
- Start from the inside: Take your first stud and hold the shirt so you can see the back of the front placket (the side that touches your skin).
- Push the stud through: Insert the "face" of the stud through the hole from the back to the front. You want the decorative part of the stud to be popping out of the front of the shirt, while the flat "anchor" base remains hidden on the inside against your chest.
- Repeat for all holes: Go down the line and do this for all four (or sometimes five) stud holes. At this point, your shirt should have all the studs hanging from one side of the opening, looking like fancy fixed buttons.
- Put the shirt on: Now that the studs are securely attached to the shirt, go ahead and put it on. It's much easier to slide into the shirt now than it is to fumble with tiny metal pieces while the fabric is stretched across your torso.
- Fasten the shirt: To close the shirt, you simply treat the stud like a regular button. Take the hole on the opposite side of the shirt and slide it over the face of the stud.
It might feel a little tight at first, especially if the shirt is new and the holes haven't been "broken in" yet. Just take your time and don't yank on the fabric.
Dealing with different types of studs
While most studs are one solid piece of metal, you might occasionally run into the "screw-back" variety or the "swivel-post" kind.
The screw-back studs are exactly what they sound like. You unscrew the back, poke the post through the hole, and screw the back on again. These are great because they are very secure, but they're a nightmare if you drop the tiny screw-on disc into a deep-pile carpet.
The swivel-post studs work similarly to many cufflinks. The back post flips sideways to go through the hole and then flips back to a "T" shape to lock it in. These are probably the easiest to use, but they're a bit less common in entry-level sets.
Don't forget the cufflinks
Since you're already figuring out how to put studs in a tuxedo shirt, you might as well tackle the cufflinks while you're at it. Tuxedo shirts almost always come with "French cuffs," which are the extra-long sleeves that fold back on themselves.
Just like the studs, it's usually easier to put the cufflinks in before you put the shirt on, or at least before you've finished getting completely dressed. Align the four holes of the cuff (two on each side of the fold), and slide the link through. Make sure the decorative face of the cufflink is pointing "out" when your arms are at your sides.
What if a stud pops out?
It happens to the best of us. Maybe you leaned over a bit too fast or the shirt hole is a bit loose. If a stud pops out during the event, don't panic. If you can't find it, most tuxedo shirts actually have a "backup plan."
Look closely at the shirt placket. Often, there are regular plastic buttons sewn right next to the stud holes on the inside. These are there specifically for emergencies. If you lose a stud, you can just use the hidden button to keep your shirt closed. It won't match the rest of your studs, but if you keep your jacket buttoned, nobody will be the wiser.
A few pro tips for a smooth look
- Check the orientation: If your studs have a specific pattern or a shape that isn't perfectly round, make sure they are all facing the same direction. There's nothing that ruins a photoshopped-perfect look like one stud being upside down.
- The "Top Button" rule: Usually, you don't put a stud in the very top hole near your neck. That one gets a regular button because it's going to be covered by your bow tie anyway. Studs typically start at the second hole down.
- Keep them clean: Fingerprints show up easily on polished onyx or silver. Once you've got them in, give them a quick wipe with a soft cloth or even the corner of your undershirt to get rid of any smudges.
Why do we even do this?
You might be wondering why we bother with this extra step. Historically, tuxedo shirts were heavily starched—so stiff that they were almost like cardboard. Regular buttons couldn't handle the tension and would often pop off or look messy. Studs were the heavy-duty solution to keep a stiff formal shirt closed while adding a bit of personal flair.
Today, shirts are much softer and more comfortable, but the tradition stuck. It's one of those small details that signals you've put effort into your appearance. It shows respect for the event and the host.
Wrapping it up
Learning how to put studs in a tuxedo shirt is a small skill, but it's one that pays off every time a formal invitation hits your mailbox. Once you've done it a couple of times, it becomes second nature. Just remember the golden rule: studs go in the shirt before you go in the shirt.
Now that you're all fastened up, check your cufflinks, straighten your bow tie, and head out. You've handled the hardest part of the getting-ready process, and you're going to look great. Have a blast at your event!