Where can I find a tux that fits?

December 12, 2008 6:38 PM

I'm a short guy who weighs 110lbs and has a 34" chest. Where can I find a decent tuxedo that fits at a decent price?

Ten years after high school, the tux I had from band freshman year is finally too small in the shoulders. I'm looking for a new (or new to me) tux.

I'm a professional musician so this will get a fair amount of use. I'm willing to invest in something I'll use at least once a week, but money's pretty tight right now. Ideally I'd pay less than $200, but I can eke out $400 or so for something that is totally perfect for me.

I've been to the local tux rental places - no one has anything to fit me. Nordstroms Rack put me in two Abboud 36S tuxes (one black label, one "Joe") and both were too large in every measurement. The tailor said he would have to take several inches out of the shoulders and if he *just* did the shoulders, forgetting about the length (too long) of the jacket as well as the sleeves and buttons, it would add $80 to the $350 tux.

I'd really love to buy it somewhere I can try it on- as a musician, I also need some space in the armholes for arm-waving of various sorts, which some jackets just intrinsically lack.

Anyone have a suggestion? Or should I just pay $50 for a way-too-big tux on ebay and then spend the other $200 getting it altered?

posted by stewiethegreat to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

Or should I just pay $50 for a way-too-big tux on ebay and then spend the other $200 getting it altered?

Probably something similar to that. I'd probably go to a consignment store (especially near an upscale area of town) or a Goodwill store and look for tuxeudos there. There are probably plenty of extremely nice ones there that have barely been worn, and for not much money at all.

Then take it to a tailor. I'd caution you about getting something extraordinarily big, though -- getting something just slightly too big would probably be quite a bit cheaper to have altered versus a monstrous tuxedo that the tailor has to completely disassemble in order to make fit.

Depending on the tailor you find, the end result will indeed be perfect for you, and for probably a decent amount less than $400.

You might specifically see about asking here about the costs of various alterations.
posted by oostevo at 7:31 PM on December 12, 2008

Best answer: I think Men's Wearhouse might be a good place to try--I understand they carry a reasonably large range of sizes, and can do some alterations onsite.

Here's a list of resources for female-to-male trans folk that has some tips on this sort of thing--notably, they suggest calling your local big & tall shops to see if they carry short & slender sizes as well. It also has a reasonably list of possible clothing resources, some of which have physical locations. And here's a blog about clothing for short men (also linked off that page.)

Do you by any chance travel internationally because of your work? If you end up anyplace in Asia, you can probably get something custom-made. I had a tux made in Beijing for a bit over a hundred dollars which I've been very pleased with.
posted by fermion at 7:35 PM on December 12, 2008

I'm on the short side as well (5'3", 140lbs) so I get all my shirts and suits custom made from a tailor in Thailand. Incidentally, my custom tailor is in town in South San Francisco tonight and tomorrow morning. The website: http://mycustomtailor.com/. They could easily make you a custom made and fitted tux for under $400 that will fit better than anything you buy off the rack.

Try calling these two numbers right now and see if he can squeeze you in for an appointment tomorrow before noon.

866-888-2304 (This is the company number so I'm not sure who it reaches)
650-589-3400 (This is two the Embassy Suites SFO Airport. Ask for Room #103, Mr. Ravi)
posted by junesix at 8:05 PM on December 12, 2008 [1 favorite]

Well, I'm not sure you'll like my advice any more than the last guy who I gave it to, but have you considered looking in the Boy's section? Brooks Brothers, for example makes a tux for a size 34 chest (size 18 boys).
posted by Comrade_robot at 8:58 PM on December 12, 2008

I know of Mr. Ravi! Apparently he's great, although I haven't had the opportunity to take advantage of his services. If you ever get down to Los Angeles, maybe take a look at Jimmy Au's in Beverly Hills. It's probably mostly out of your price range, but it's where every short guy in Los Angeles gets their suits, and quite a few of his tuxes walk down the red carpet every year during awards season. A couple years ago, I ran into Tom Cruise there while he was trying on a suit. Nice guy.
posted by incessant at 9:06 PM on December 12, 2008

Response by poster: Comrade_robot, I've got no problem shopping in the boy's section- it is way cheaper. Nordstroms and the other department stores don't have tuxes for boys other than the toddler tuxes, however. I checked.

Love the ideas from fermion, but we're going with Mr. Ravi after two positive recommendations- we've got an appointment tomorrow morning!
posted by stewiethegreat at 9:45 PM on December 12, 2008

Response by poster: Just an update, if anyone looks at this again-

we got my new tux from Mr. Ravi yesterday and I can't tell you how disappointed we are. It doesn't fit well, doesn't hang right, and the fabric that Mr. Ravi talked us into getting, which increased the cost by $200 just looks (and feels) cheap.

I paid $615 including taxes and shipping for the suit (up from the quote of $470, and no, they haven't fixed that 'mistake' and don't seem to be willing to), believing that I was investing in a garment that would work for me for years, and boy, I can't believe how let down I am. I would have been unlikely to pay $150 for this off the rack.

mycustomtailor.com or Mr. Ravi, I don't recommend in the slightest. Major waste of time and disappointment. I'm now going to have to sink more money into another tuxedo- this one is simply unwearable.
posted by stewiethegreat at 10:53 AM on January 5, 2009 [1 favorite]