Tuxedo Rental or Purchase? Expert Advice on when to Buy a Tuxedo or Rent
The tuxedo has been the ultimate piece of formal wear for more than 100 years. This formal black suit was named after Tuxedo Park, New York, where it was reportedly first worn. Since its inception, there have been many variations on the traditional black jacket, pants and bow tie. You can now find a variety of collars, long ties, white dinner jackets, and tuxedos in unique colors and fabrics like velvet.
When you are invited to a wedding or black tie affair, you'll want to be sure you arrive looking smart in your tuxedo. So, you may be wondering whether to rent or buy a new one. Take a look at the pros and cons of tuxedo rentals as well as buying a tuxedo to help you decide.
Should I buy a tuxedo?
The quick answer to this question is financial: If you'll wear the tuxedo more than three times in the next few years, buy it. Since the price to buy a tuxedo can be around $1,000 and tuxedo rentals run approximately $200 each, you'll get more for your money when you buy.
There are, of course, other reasons to purchase when you step into a tuxedo store. For one thing, you'll probably have more choice in fabric, lapels, design or buttons. For example, if you need to wear your tuxedo primarily in warm, summer months, then you may be looking for lightweight fabrics. On the other hand, Superfine wool tuxedos are versatile enough for any season. The selection of tuxedos for sale will likely be broader than those for rent, making this a great option if you want something custom or unique.
When you purchase, you'll also be able to have the tuxedo tailored to you. This will result in a nicer fit than you'll get out of a rental. If you do decide to buy a tuxedo, choose a classic design. You want this to last you for years, so it's best not to choose something particularly trendy.
Should I rent a tuxedo?
Tuxedo rentals work best for men who just don't need to wear a tux regularly. It would be a costly investment to wear it only once. Plus, when you rent a tux, you may find all of the formal accessories are included or are at least cheaper to rent than buy. These accessories include your shirt, tie, shoes, cufflinks, studs, cummerbund or vest, and suspenders.
But just like the decision to buy a tuxedo, you may have other reasons to rent. If you don't want to be committed to one tuxedo and would rather wear something that's hot at the moment, renting is the way to go. You can choose a different look for every event that is tailored to the time and occasion.
Of course, sometimes the event dictates the type of tuxedo you need. This is another great reason to pursue the flexibility of tuxedo rentals. You may need a morning suit or gray tux to attend a summer wedding in the early afternoon. Particularly formal occasions may require white tie dress, which means you need formal tails paired with a white bow tie and vest.
Tailoring is also something to consider when it comes to tuxedo rentals. While you may not get the precision fit you would if you bought the tux, renting gives you room to fluctuate in size. If you tend to change sizes, the freedom of renting is a good match for you. Every time you need a tux, you can get one in your size. If you own the tuxedo, you'll be taking it in for expensive alterations every time you need to wear it
Visit our store for tuxedo rentals & purchases
JoS. A. Bank has you covered no matter what you decide. You can research our tuxedos online, and then visit a store to be fitted. Explore our online tuxedo store to find details on tuxedo rentals, and see the tuxedos we have for purchase.
Ready to rent or buy a tuxedo? See our Tuxedo page today for more information and our latest offers!
