How to Rent a Tuxedo

Many grooms prefer to rent a wedding tuxedo instead of buying, anticipating that they won’t have any use for the tux after the wedding day.

A few tips for successfully renting a tux:

1. Visit the tux rental store at least four weeks prior to the event to have your measurements taken.

2. When you choose your tuxedo style, take into account your build, and the nature of the event. If you have a large build, go with a dark tuxedo in a streamlined silhouette. Avoid double breasted tuxedos – those will add bulk. If you have a slight build and would like to add bulk, the way to do it is by having a tux that fits really well – you don’t want to “swim” in your tux – and use visuals such as light colors, pleated shirts and maybe larger shoulder pads to add bulk.

3. If your wedding is a spring or a summer wedding, and especially if it’s informal, consider a light colored tux.

5. Schedule the final fitting one week before the event. The rental price includes alterations – expect to leave a deposit when you have your measurements taken, and pay the balance before receiving the tux.

6. You will likely need to return your tuxedo the day after the event. There’s no need to dry clean the tux – the store will take care of that – but you should be aware that a damaged garment or a late return will likely add to your bill.

Photo credit: stevendepolo

Tuxedos for Spring

Now that it’s officially spring, it’s time to decide if getting married in the spring means you should wear a lighter-shade wedding tux instead of the classic black and white look.

Obviously, a black tux with a white shirt is a safe choice: basically you can’t go wrong when you go with this classic, timeless look which is always appropriate.

However, if you’re a fashion-conscious groom and feel like experimenting a little and having some fun, spring and summer give you a great opportunity to wear something a little different for your wedding.

Going all white, as in a white tux with a white shirt and then adding a splash of color with the tie is a great option for a spring or a summer wedding. Another option, a bit bolder perhaps, is to wear a white tuxedo over a colored shirt (lilac is hot this spring) and a white tie, or even a colored tie that matches your shirt.

The more tan, toned and lean you are, the more options you have in terms of what will look good on you and in your ability to pull off a lighter tux – a dark tuxedo tends to be more slimming and so is usually a better option for heavier grooms.

A Tux Without a Tie?

Have you seen Robert Downey Jr. at the Golden Globes? He was wearing a tuxedo with no tie. What do you think about this look?

Personally, I’m not crazy about the trend of wearing a tux without a tie. Although Downey Jr. certainly has his own very unique style, in my opinion, even he can’t necessarily pull this look off. A tuxedo is not a causual item of clothing, and there’s no need to make it casual, because when you try to do that, you end up in an in-between kind of place, where you’re neither elegant nor casual, and as far as I’m concerned, a fashion in-between is never a good place to be!

I think that this is way better:

And would encourage any man who wears a suit, and especially a tuxedo, to go for the classic, elegant look that a tux calls for and wear a tie. This is especially true for grooms. If your wedding is a casual event, I would suggest that instead of trying to “dress down” your tux by not wearing a tie, you opt for a more casual look that can achieved by wearing a light-colored tuxedo. Light colored tuxedos are more casual than dark tuxedos and are very appropriate for a casual wedding. But do me a favor and wear a tie!

Photo by John Griffiths