Menswear Mythbusters!

Many months ago, Mr. Cupcake and I decided that we wanted the groomsmen and dads (and, of course, the groom!) to wear suits in the wedding instead of tuxes. I've always had mixed feelings about tuxes, and Mr. Cupcake has never been thrilled with them, either. We both love the look of a sharp, tailored suit.

Photo by the Wiebners

When Mr. Cupcake went to try some tuxes on a few months ago at Men's Wearhouse, neither of us were really impressed and all of the jackets seemed ill-fitting on his not-so-tall and slender frame. We asked about renting suits, but the MW employees scratched their heads and said that they didn't know of ANYWHERE that rented men's suits. We heard this from other people as well, so we thought it must be true.

We were discouraged, because we didn't want to ask the men in the wedding party to buy suits that could cost well over $250, but Mr. Cupcake also didn't feel great when he had a tux on, and it showed. He should feel just as happy and confident in what he's wearing on the wedding day as I will. We considered having all the guys rent tuxes and buying one for Mr. Cupcake so it could be tailored to fit him, and eventually figured that was the most reasonable plan.

Since we weren't thrilled with the service at the MW we visited, we took a shot at a local tux shop — Iacobbucci Tuxedo Rentals in Morton, PA. A staple of Delaware County, it is not at all glamorous but I am pretty sure this is where all of the prom-dates-of-Cupcake's-past got their tuxes, and my dad still rents tuxes from here when he needs them, so I figured we should check it out. While we were there we just happened to ask about renting suits.... and guess what? They do! We cracked the menswear myth!

Not only do they have a simple black suit that they rent, but it is only $65! We were shocked, and very excited. For the suit and another $25 for shoes, it will cost each of our groomsmen only $90 to rent their attire. We checked out a sample jacket, and it was indeed a simple black suit, but not bad at all.

I also happened to call another local tux rental shop yesterday — B. Gross Menswear in Media, PA (don't mind the hideous website) — and they also rent a black suit. Their price is a bit higher at $99, plus another $20 for shoes, but we are going to go check it out this weekend to see if the suit is any nicer and perhaps worth the higher price.

Mr. Cupcake will now buy himself a spiffy, dapper black suit that will be tailored to fit him, so he will coordinate with the groomsmen but stand out a bit (as he should!), and, most importantly, feel handsome and spectacular on our wedding day. The guys will also wear white suspenders and the ties we bought them, along with a teal pocket square and bouttoniere.

Are your guys wearing suits or tuxes? Has anyone else had any luck with renting suits?