Does Your Man Own a Tux?

Updated on March 29, 2012
L.. asks from Kirkland, WA
19 answers

My husband and I are going with some friends to a "Puppy Love Ball" next month to benefit the local SPCA. The dress is black tie optional, and I have a dress to wear already. But we have to get my husband something new, whether it's a dark suit or tux, but he's not sure which one he would pick. Obviously he would get more use out of a suit, but most people there will likely be in a tux (which would pay for itself over time). So, I know he could rent one, but he's not thrilled with that. So, I need a poll. What does your hubby do? Buy or rent?

Thanks!!

Jo, part of the reason we're debating is because sometimes the "optional" means "mostly black tie," and other times it means "please, for the love of God, just don't wear shorts." Haha, hit or miss, I guess; maybe it depends on where you live. :)

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R.D.

answers from Richmond on

My husband (we're separated) owns 2... I think in 5 years we had like 6 or 7 occasions that were black tie, so it was kind of worth it.

Gave ME an excuse to buy a new dress every time though ;)

For what you're describing, I'd go nice (really nice) suit, like you said, he'd get way more use out of it. Have fun!

3 moms found this helpful

N.G.

answers from Dallas on

None of the men in my life own tuxes. I can't think of a time my Dad has ever worn one except for when he re-married my Mom. My brothers don't own one, and my husband has never had the need for one.

I say either buy a suit or rent a tux.

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

Neither. My husband has plenty of professional suits that he needs so we bought those. For our wedding, he borrowed a tux from a friend who bought one for his own wedding. That was 9 years ago and we have never needed a tux since, but suits are typically what one wears for funerals, weddings, church functions, business trips, interviews.... Tux styles also go out of fashion quickly, so if he buys one now, and won't need it again for a few years... he'd probably be much better off renting.

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B..

answers from Dallas on

We bought my husband a suit when we got married. He has since used it for weddings, funerals, events, etc. We just didn't see us getting our moneys worth out of a tux. We buy, not rent. If you would get use out of the tux (unlike us) I'd say buy! If you rent, you'd be in this predicament again.

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Rent, we do not go to functions often enough for it to pay off. He has however rented a number of tuxes to be an attendant in a wedding - problem is you can not just buy one and be "done" since everyone wants their own style of a tux these days. So, I say either purchase a REALLY nice suit or rent a tux, unless this is something he will put on once a year at least.

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V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

It really depends. If you are the type that regularly attends events/functions where black tie would be appropriate wear for your husband, then go for the tux. If not, then get a nice suit instead.

My husband doesn't even own an official suit. He has some sport jackets and some slacks. But usually, for any "event" he has to buy something because his other stuff is out of style or doesn't fit anymore (he has gotten a bit trimmer since he was in his 30's actually). The only tux-worthy event he's ever attended was OUR wedding. LOL

My dad doesn't own a tux, and doesn't go to tux events. I have 2 brothers, and one owns a tux and one doesn't. The one who owns, I don't think it fits anymore.

So, it depends on your lifestyle. If you have at least one other tux event in the next 24 months, then go for it.

2 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

For us, hubby would opt for a dark suit. However, if we frequented many black tie affairs, he would purchase a tux.

Bottom line, how often do you think you would use the tux and is it worth it?

We do have a lot of high end dinners, country club affairs, etc but a dark suit work well for our outings.

We specified black tie on a recent banquet and just to make it clear, we also stated no denim. This was for a school function.

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J.M.

answers from San Francisco on

My husband does not own a tux. I have actually never seen him in one (just in pictures). I wonder if I ever will! He has the dark suit we bought for our wedding and that's the fanciest he gets.

If money is not an issue and you think he would use it several times in the future, go for the tux. Otherwise, go with a suit and dress it up with a really nice shirt, tie, shoes and fabulous socks.

Where we live, "black tie optional" means just that - you will have some folks dressed to the nines, others in cocktail attire. If you have a question about what's appropriate/expected from this event, you could ask your friends what their experience has been, or try to Google some photos from past years to see what people really wear to this event. But most of all, HAVE FUN!!

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C.C.

answers from Houston on

Save the money on a tux and donate it to the shelter!!! I sure he has something suitable already to wear..or can borrow it! Remember..it's not a fashion show....it's for the animals!!!

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K.P.

answers from New York on

My father owned one and wore it often... of course, things were much more "formal" 20 years ago.

My husband does not own a tuxedo. In fact, I've never seen him in one. He owns several very nice suits and when we are invited to a "black tie optional" event, he wears his dark charcoal suit (almost black) with a crisp white shirt and a dark/conservative tie with cuff links and polished dress shoes. He's never been "under dressed" in that combination!

I would go with the suit unless you frequently attend very formal events. Otherwise, go for a classic well-cut suit with a very simple/elegant accessories. No colored shirts, no flashy or patterned ties, etc.

Where we live (NY) this would mean at minimum, cocktail attire but ladies are welcome to wear floor-length gowns. Where I grew up (in the South) this would just mean that you could opt out of wearing opera length gloves, but hems should touch the ground and men should be in dark colored evening wear.

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S.B.

answers from Houston on

No. My husband has a few suits he could choose from and we've never run into a situation where he's needed a tux. I think the last time he wore one was at our wedding..20 years ago. Apparently we don't run with the right crowd. ;-). My son has access to a tux since it's part of his choir uniform. Luckily they get them from the school so we didn't have to buy one. Maybe next year he'll finally end up with one that fits right.

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F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Hubby has owned one for a long time. He's one of the top agents in his company so he goes to award dinners and usually qualifies for the trips so he has occasion to wear it often. I would say to just buy one if your hubby tends to stay around the same size and would have occasions that he can wear it. Good luck.

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

My husband does not own a tux. He has always rented them when they were necessary - which hasn't been very often. There's a wedding coming up in our family soon, and he'll be in a rented tux.

If your husband knows that there will be benefit balls and other formal occasions fairly regularly, he might be wise to purchase. They don't seem actually to go out of style. For my wedding in 1970, my daddy wore the tux he wore to HIS wedding in 1939. He was thankful he could still wear it, and he looked like a handsome father of the bride.

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J.T.

answers from New York on

My husband owns his and wore it to our wedding! Since then just a few times. One thing to consider is if his weight fluctates much. My husband's is getting pretty tight! :) One time he wore it by the way was to the SPCA's Fur Ball. :) Lots of men were in tux's. Maybe oven 90%?...

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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

I guess it depends on how often you think he's going to end up needing/wearing a tux vs a nice suit. And if he's going to stay the same size, or at any point need to get it altered, or if it is going to look "dated" at any point. My hubby rented a tux for our wedding and that's been it, so buying one would not have been worth it. He does have a good dark blue suit that is more appropriate for weddings, funerals, etc. so he gets more use out of it. I would say rent for this one time, it's something special and not something you get to do all the time. Pretend you are going to your high school prom all over again!

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S.E.

answers from New York on

if its a tux rent if its a suit buy he can always wear it again.. a tux isnt something hed get much more use out of .. my fiance has 2 suits.. one a really nice one and the other is decent but nothing special he gets more use out of them than ud think.. weddings, fancy dinner, and unfortunatley funerals

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J.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

Well ask yourself. How many times has my husband worn a tux? If that answer is zero, than I would expect buying a tux would be a waste.

Hell, my husband doesn't even own a suit. He might have a tie around here somewhere....

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L.U.

answers from Seattle on

We would rent a tux or borrow a suit from someone. In our circle..in the 10 years we have been together..he has worn a tux once, at my brother's wedding! He didn't even wear one when we got married, just a suit. And..he has only worn a suit once, when we got married.
He doesn't own either.
L.

☆.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Rent! My hubby hates dressing up. The only time he ever wore a tux was our wedding day. Formal wear is not big where we live.

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