Rent or Buy a tuxedo?

It's an age old dilemma - should a man rent or buy a tuxedo? If you trust GQ magazine, you'll already have a tuxedo in your closet collecting dust! GroomGroove.com isn't so sure. Here's why.

Says Michael Mantegna of Michael Andrews Bespoke, GroomGroove.com's formal wear expert, "While there is nothing wrong with renting, the tuxedo is a fundamental part of a man's wardrobe, and there's probably no better time to buy one than in preparation for your wedding day." If you find yourself needing a tux more than once or twice a year, buying simply makes more sense. However, for most guys, there simply are not enough black tie events to go around to make the purchase worthwhile.

While the groom may want to be outfitted in a brand new tuxedo, it might be tough to force the tuxedo purchase on his groomsmen. But if it's not important to the bride and groom that the wedding party wear matching attire, this is not a factor. Otherwise, it'll be odd to have a grab bag of formal wear for the groom and groomsmen. Buying four sets of tuxedos is not practical, especially if you're planning on forcing the groomsmen to buy the tuxes.

An alternative to buying an excellent tux - buying a tuxedo on the cheap

"We can put together an affordable and quality tuxedo that will last beyond your wedding day, and make it look as modern as a slim-fit Hugo Boss tuxedo. The truth is that nobody will know the difference," says Harris Reinhardt, of Cheap Tux, an internet purveyor of inexpensive tuxedos.

If you can convince your best man and other groomsmen to shell out for similar tuxedos, the entire party can get outfitted with a tuxedo to keep. It's not a bad idea, especially with rentals costing upwards of $150.

Read more about wedding attire from GroomGroove.com:

How to get the groomsmen outfitted in tuxedos, painlessly
An intro to formal wear for the groom:
- Tuxedo Jacket
- Pants
- Shirts
- Ties
- Cufflinks
- Shoes (and socks)
- What the hell is a cummerbund and do you need one?
- Boutonnieres (aka the only flowers a groom needs to think about)
Morning coats
Wearing a suit instead of a tuxedo
Whether to buy or rent a tux
If you're buying a tux, whether to get it custom-made or off the rack tuxedo
Beach wedding attire (you lucky bastard!)

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Phil

Mon, Jul.13th 2009
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I have the honour of living near a well known school of music which preforms many operas in a year. I am planning on buying a Tux and going to the opening nights of these grand events. Also, in case a wedding or other event arises, I shall have a Tuxedo to wear. I expect to wear my Tuxedo about 3 times a year at least. I am not a rich guy by any means, but I do like the finer things, even if I have to buy a cheap tuxedo, no one really can tell when you get to a certain style and designer. If you can pull off a look, no one knows the difference between a rich man and a poor man. If you can pull of a look you look like a person with style, and those people are looked upon very well, at least in my area.

Jeff Collins, Professional Hab

Tue, Sep.30th 2008
Rating:

Rent A Tux or Buy A Suit? When you ask the groomsmen to be in your wedding it's assumed they will be renting tuxedos, usually at their own expense. While rental offers range from $50 to $150, I have personally found most rentals end up averaging $120 & can be as much as $200. Each tux is a different price and most brides & grooms gravitate to the nicer fabrics because they feel and look better, but also cost more. Some stores charge extra for shoes & accessories such as vests. That entry level deal is rarely the out the door price. Another option is to buy a tux. The problem is most people won't have enough occasions over the next 5 to 10 years to justify the cost. After all you may want to wear a 3 button coat to your wedding while the next one is a 2 button. Then you're back to square one. The point at which it makes sense financially to own a tux is if you will wear it 3 to 4 times a year. Less than that and you are buying one because you want to wear YOUR tux and not one a hundred other guys have worn. When the Bride & Groom decide they want their wedding somewhat formal but different from the norm, the third option comes into play. That is when the Groom & Groomsmen wearing a matching suit. The fathers usually enjoy being a part of this as well. The great thing about it is the Groom gets to come out of the ceremony not just with a beautiful new wife but also with a very nice & useful suit he can wear for years to come. This isn't for every wedding ceremony & if it's not in the budget then don't even consider it. Here's when it might be right to do so: * The Groom & Groomsmen will get plenty of use out of a nice suit later * You would feel a little awkward wearing a tux that you don't where it's been * The Bride or Groom's family can subsidize the purchase OR * The Groomsmen have the ability to buy their own suit * The Groomsmen are already out $100-200 for a rental tux anyway so why not put that money towards a purchase. * You would like your special day to not be a cookie cutter wedding * Your wedding is out of town, making a rental last too long & cost too much * You would like to have a lasting memento of your special day * Add your own reason here_______________________ Here's where I come in. I meet with the Bride and Groom to talk about styling, color, pricing etc. I then go out to each of the local groomsmen to take their measurements. Sometimes the Groomsmen will have a get together and I can take everyone's measurements at once. The suits are then made for each man individually out of the same cloth. I bring them to them a few weeks later for a fitting and deliver them after any minor adjustments are done if necessary. Some Grooms like to wear something a little different to stand out in the wedding party. Perhaps he's in Black and the Groomsmen are in charcoal grey. Or for a summer wedding outdoors during the day he's in tan and they wear brown. Usually the couple likes for me to arrange for colored ties and pocket squares to match the bridesmaids if the theme isn't black & white. I offer special wedding pricing. Because you've have found me here you will at least get a 10% discount. (Please mention this article) OR You also have the choice to have the Groom get $100 off per each Groomsman buying a suit or have everyone get a $100 discount. Here's an example: * You pick out a beautiful suit fabric at $695 but everyone pays $595, getting a wonderful suit made just for them. OR * You pick out that same suit fabric at $695 & 5 people total are buying them. The Groom's suit ends up at $295 and the other 4 guys pay $695 and everyone gets a really nice suit made for them. If two Fathers in the wedding party also buy a suit then the Groom's suit is merely $95 at that price range. It can make sense to keep the discount when the groomsmen can easily afford the suit and hey, you're helping foot the bill for a pretty costly wedding & starting a life together. I also sell shirts, shoes, ties, cufflinks and even tuxedos. Thank you for reading and considering this option. Feel free to ask me a question via email. Congratulations! Jeff Collins Professional Haberdasher 206.399.9453 Weddings@MyHaberdasher.com http://www.MyHaberdasher.com

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