Tuxedo styles

Tuxedo sales

On the one hand it's kind of exciting going to a formal event. On opening night, a charity ball, an awards ceremony even a political fund raiser can be a memorable night. Buy if you are like most men in America, you don't own a tuxedo. Actually if you work at a place that has a business casual dress code you're probably lucky if you own two good dress suits. So if you don't have your own tux, you are going to have to go through the dreaded tuxedo rental experience.

Here's a hint. If you are going to a formal event you'd better hope that you have six to eight weeks advance notice because that's how long it will take to get a good fitted rental tuxedo. You can l get one faster but it will look like the bus boy uniform at an upscale restaurant and it will probably cost you the same as a good professional fit.

So where do you find a good tux rental place. The best place to look is to your friends and associates. They can recommend where to go or relate the horror stories and tell you where to avoid. Failing that pick up the phone and call shops and ask them how long the process takes and is there a fitting before you pick it up.

Seeing how you will picking up the garment the day before or the day of the event, you want to make sure there is a fitting sometime before that. If they don't offer that, don't bother.

The key to a good tuxedo rental experience is the tuxedo sales person you deal with. A knowledgeable sales associate will know what measurements to take and also what style and cut to compliment your build. A sign of a good start will be if they take your chest measurement both including and excluding your arms, you waist, hips, butt and inseam. Of course they should also take your arm length from the center of the shoulders and measure your neck to get the correct shirt size.

Rental of the tux normally includes the jacket, slacks, shirt, cummerbund, tie, buttons, cufflinks, socks and shoes. Basically all you provide is your underwear. At your fitting, if you have trouble with the buttons, links or anything else don't be embarrassed to ask for help.

Payment for the tux usually involves a deposit at the first measurement and then the balance when you pick it up. Be prepared to shell out $100 to $175. Normally you have to return the garment the next day although some shops will give you extra time.

So by doing it right you can look like a million bucks even though you're wearing a tuxedo rental that cost you a hundred.