Need a tuxedo quick

My friend calls me today and says he just found out that he needs to attend a black tie event this Friday. He does not want to have to rent a tuxedo and would rather purchase one. Unfortunately, with only 3 more days until the event, this makes it quite hard. My question to you guys is, where would he be able to go to pick up a tuxedo and have it fitted that quickly? He is in the Baltimore area. Thanks in advance for your help.

A vintage clothing shop might be good in a pinch. Drop it at a dry cleaner to have it cleaned, altered, and new buttons added, pick it up a day or two later.

The obvious caveat is there's no guarantee that a vintage shop will have decent (or any) tuxedos in stock. Good luck.

filene's on Conneticut in DC has some tuxs that I think are decent. As far as tailoring good luck getting it back in such short time.

I'm sure that there are many stores in Baltimore that sell DJ's and that will do a rush tailoring job. That said, it's not the optimal way to buy clothing.

I am sure they can either rush the alterations, or he can find someone to meet his deadline.

This is the one instance when I would forgoe my "no fused jackets" rule.

sounds like beggars can't be choosers, but if he has preferences, the filene's tuxedos are all notch-lapel, DECENT QUALITY. I think they might be calvin klein, and they cost about $400 (not sure about that). There are lots of them.

Originally Posted by Carey

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This is the one instance when I would forgoe my "no fused jackets" rule.

???

There's also a SYMS over there at Towson. They racks of them. You'll find one, but I don't know about getting it altered.

b

I'd sooner rent one than be stuck with a compromised purchase.

Originally Posted by Tomasso

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???
It seems to me that the Tuxedo is such a ubiquitous garment, that no one really notices if ones tux is made as well as a fine suit. These jackets tend to be a serge or a worsted wool in a 100s, and our friend wants one ASAP. For a few hundred dollars, he can get something that he can wear for several years. If having his own tux was anything other than an impulse purchase, then by all means spend the bucks to get a really great one. He needs it fast, so he should get what is available, looks good, and fits well. I can understand his desire to buy something rather than to wear someone elses rented pants. I wouldn't want my "boys" in their either. I recently rented a tux this year to attend a black-tie event. The rental garment fit fine, but I hated every minute of wearing something rented. Next time I know I have to go black tie, I will probably get something from an outlet. I am still kicking myself, because six years ago I did not buy a Hickey-Freeman Tux from Off Fifth Avenue for $499.00. I haven't found anything of that quality in any of the outlet stores in recent years. I will most likely have to get a fused Tuxedo, since I really can't justify spending $1,000 for something I might have the opportunity to wear once a year.

Originally Posted by Carey

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It seems to me that the Tuxedo is such a ubiquitous garment, that no one really notices if ones tux is made as well as a fine suit.

Interesting.

Originally Posted by Tomasso

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Interesting.
Bring it!

K&G has plenty of low price tuxs and they will do the tailoring quick.

One source of a peak lapel jacket is Joey Bank - probably under $600.
Not real quality, but better than a lot of other "quick" sources. And they are likely to get it fitted for him.

The real problem is that tailoring for a really good fit would be about a week at most any source. Which is the niche of the rental tuxedo market.

Originally Posted by Charley

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One source of a peak lapel jacket is Joey Bank - probably under $600.
Not real quality, but better than a lot of other "quick" sources. And they are likely to get it fitted for him.

The real problem is that tailoring for a really good fit would be about a week at most any source. Which is the niche of the rental tuxedo market.

Jos A Bank does a peaked SB? That's impressive, as everyone seems to be going notch.