Renting vs. Buying a Tux

Getting invited to a black-tie event is an exciting opportunity for most people. But it can also be anxiety-inducing for those who don’t own a tux because it raises the age-old question of choosing between a rental tux versus getting one made to order. 

Your tux has a direct impact on your comfort and self-confidence, so it’s only natural to put some thought into it and choose the best option for yourself. Especially since both buying a tux and renting one has their own set of pros and cons. We’ll talk about how much it costs to buy a tuxedo in comparison with how much a tux rental costs and weigh the pros and cons of each. Let’s jump in!

Should I Buy or Rent a Tuxedo? The Reality of Renting a Tux

Pros of Renting a Tux:

It’s no secret that renting is much cheaper than buying a tux when it comes to one-time events. Formal occasions, especially black-tie and black-tie optional events, aren’t a common occurrence and it doesn’t make sense to invest in a fancy tux for single use. For teens and young adults who are still growing into their frames, a rental tux is the most obvious choice for events like proms and high school dances.

Tux rentals have the added advantage of offering a ton of options in terms of styles and colors. They’re also much more convenient because renting a tux doesn’t require any upkeep, unlike buying a tux which will have to be properly maintained and stored.

Cons of Renting a Tux:

1. More Expensive in the Long Run

Having discussed the pros, when you dive deeper into how much does tux rental cost, you’ll realize that it can actually end up being more expensive in the long run. Renting a basic tux can cost anywhere from $100 to $160 or slightly more depending on the company. Add accessories like bow ties and pocket squares to the mix and the cost can easily pass $200. If you choose to go with renting instead of buying a tux, then 5-6 wears would more or less cost you $1,000 to $1,200. When you find out how much it costs to buy a tuxedo in comparison, you’ll stop asking “Should I Buy or Rent a Tuxedo?”

2. It Never Fits Quite Right

Another con of rental tuxedos is that they never fit quite right, even with vents, which by the way are not recommended for tuxedos. Every individual has a unique build that requires a specific fit that can never be achieved with rental tuxedos. Perhaps you have broader shoulders than most or slightly longer arms or body asymmetry. In such cases, a one-size-fits-all rental simply won’t suffice and your only option would be buying a tux because you wouldn’t want to show up in an ill-fitting tux to a serious formal affair.

3. Hit or Miss Quality

With rental tuxedos, quality is always either a hit or a miss — mostly the latter. Tuxedos that get rented often suffer wear and tear over the years. Moreover, these tuxedos are mass-produced, which means corners have to be cut often to make profits. It could be bad stitching, the fabric may bunch up or crease, or poor-quality materials are used. Polyester lapels will never match the elegant sheen of silk!

How Much Does it Cost to Buy a Tux?

We’ve talked about how much a tux rental costs but what about buying a tux? The answer is, it differs. You can get one for as little as $500 or as much as $5,000 or even more in some cases. But when you shop from a reputed brand, even a $500 tux will look as good as a $5,000 one! However, tuxedo shirts, shoes, and accessories will likely increase the investment to nearly $1,000, which is still a steal over rental tuxedos. Let us tell you why.

Pros of Buying a Tux:

1. It Pays for Itself

Consider how many times you’ll be wearing a tux and while you do that, also factor in how many times more likely you will be to say “yes” to a formal event when you have a tux at hand. You already know how much a tux rental costs per wear. So if you rent a tux five times, you might as well spend that $1,000 buying one that will actually fit you. This is an oversimplification of the true “value” of a tux because when we talk about how much it costs to buy a tux, we don’t take into account the emotional and social points you get from owning a custom tux. But the next time you ask “Should I Buy or Rent a Tuxedo?”, just remember that a well-made tux is a long-term investment.

2. You’ll Have One on Hand at a Moment’s Notice

It’s a common misconception that buying a tux is time-consuming. These days you can get a tux custom-fitted faster than ever from brands like Alton Lane that offer easy customization and incredibly fast delivery times of only two weeks. Rental tuxedos, on the other hand, can be a real hassle to deal with. There’s no guarantee that they’ll fit you perfectly, which means you’ll end up not looking quite as sharp as you could. This is why you should invest in a custom tux so that you always have a well-fitting outfit ready on hand that was made precisely for you.

3. Customized to Fit You in the Style You Want

If you have a preference for a specific style such as peaked vs notched lapels or a patterned jacket lining, then buying a tux is so much more convenient than hunting for a rental tux with the same specifications. You’ll have the freedom to customize the essential details such as the color of the buttons, even for your white tuxedo shirt. This seems like a steal when you think about how much a tux rental costs in comparison. You can also get a custom tux monogrammed unlike rental tuxedos. “Should I Buy or Rent a Tuxedo?” shouldn’t even be a question!

4. Higher-Quality Fabrics and Details

Another reason why you should be buying a tux is because you’ll get better quality and, as a consequence, value for your money. Reputed custom clothing brands like Alton Lane never compromise on quality whether it’s the tux or the tuxedo shirt. You can choose between premium wool tuxedos or high-performance tuxedos with unique fabric blends that are comfortable for long durations. Even the smallest of details will reflect a quality that you can only get from custom clothing.

5. More Confidence Because of Fit and Customization

For formal occasions, a good fit is crucial if you want to look and feel confident. Buying a tux pays off when you realize how impeccably dressed you are compared to others. A well-fitting tux will make you look more dignified and help you stand out in the best way. 

Invest in a Custom Tux Made for You

You now know how much a tux rental costs compared to a custom tux and whether it’s worth your money. If a custom tux is the better option for you, why not go ahead and design one right now at Alton Lane? It takes just two minutes to order and we deliver in just two weeks. This means you’ll be ready at a moment’s notice for any galas or Black-tie weddings that come your way!

If you need some help choosing the right styles while buying a tux for yourself, don’t hesitate to contact our style experts for a virtual fitting!