Suit Rental

May 23, 2008 9:55 AM

Sometime in the next month or so. I will have a funeral to attend. I do not own a suit that's appropriate, and as I'm in the process of downsizing (physically) I don't want to buy one. I'm in the Lower Mainland in BC. Does anyone know of a suit rental service (not tux)?
posted by Neiltupper to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (14 answers total)

Seriously, renting will cost you more than buying.
posted by decathecting at 10:07 AM on May 23, 2008

If you have a fairly typical body type, you may be able to find a suit that fits well enough at a thrift store. Re-donate it after the funeral.
posted by ferociouskitty at 10:11 AM on May 23, 2008

I get most of my "professional" clothes at thrift shops. People are surprised if I tell them where I got my clothes, so I apparently look professional enough to "pass."
posted by PatoPata at 10:17 AM on May 23, 2008

Yes, try your local thrift / vintage stores. The latter will probably have had their suits professionally cleaned, while the former will probably have not, so there's a bit of added expense, assuming that you don't also need alterations.
posted by mumkin at 10:49 AM on May 23, 2008

Do you have a friend who is close to your size you might borrow something from? Just make sure to have it cleaned before you return it. I have done this before.
posted by procrastination at 11:12 AM on May 23, 2008

A modest tux (read: non-satin lapels, etc) with a windsor-knot tie in place of the expected bow tie (and of course no cumberbun) would look appropos. As a fallback to the thrift/vintage store idea - which I support.
posted by IAmBroom at 11:12 AM on May 23, 2008

A black suit is really a wardrobe staple... you may want to reconsider your committment not to buy one.
posted by muscat at 11:47 AM on May 23, 2008

If your suits no longer fit you, can you have them tailored?
posted by randomstriker at 11:58 AM on May 23, 2008

Many tux rental places also offer suits - call your local ones to see what they carry or can get.
posted by clerestory at 12:00 PM on May 23, 2008

As clerestoy has pointed out, tux shops will usually also offer suits for rent. (Actually, I've never dealt with a tux shop that didn't rent suits, but my experience is hardly exhaustive.)
posted by oddman at 12:07 PM on May 23, 2008

Funeral attire has become much more relaxed in recent years...if you have a pair of black slacks, you can even get away with a white, grey or black polo shirt underneath a black jacket. (A white shirt with a tie would be even dressier, but you'll see that a large percentage of the men won't be that dressed up.) You should be able to find all of the above at your local thrift shop. The main thing the family will remember is that you were there, and that you cared enough not to show up in a T-shirt and jeans.
posted by Oriole Adams at 12:15 PM on May 23, 2008

In the Lower Mainland, a lot of people do not dress up for weddings or funerals. Since you want to show consideration, you can probably wear any darker suit that you have or a blazer with nice pants. If this isn't appropriate, you could pick up a blazer or suit for less than the cost of a rental. When I looked into suit rental for my wedding, it cost the same as buying. (Though this does not apply for tuxedos.)
posted by acoutu at 1:09 PM on May 23, 2008

Black & Lee rent suits as well. I was in the same situation a few years ago and bought a pair of black slacks and a black jacket at a thrift store. Along with a white shirt and a tie I already had, the total cost was about $50. It was good (Dunn's jacket!) quality but you have to search the shops. you've got the time, so head out there!
posted by Country Dick Montana at 6:53 PM on May 23, 2008

maybe rent a tux and don't wear the vest, looks the same.
posted by DJWeezy at 9:24 PM on May 23, 2008