Tuxedo Rental

Graham’s has extended its services to include formalwear because I became tired of going to weddings and seeing men wear tuxedos that fit them poorly. A little part of me dies each time I see sloppy pant legs that drag on the ground, sleeves all the way down to a guy’s knuckles, or hearing groomsmen complain of their aching feet because their shoes do not fit. So many of these problems are easy to fix, you just need a store like Graham’s to care enough to help you look and feel great. I knew we would do a great job with tuxedos because we fit tall, short, old, young, big and regular size men every day. I know we have to do it well because we want to see our customers return.

We have teamed up to two tuxedo wholesalers. Jim’s Formalwear out of Ottawa, Illinois and Nedrebo’s Formalwear out of Madison, Wisconsin. These partnerships are key to providing outstanding customer service to our tuxedo renters.

#1 We don’t want to have our tuxedos look as though they have seen ten too many proms. Equipped with barcodes that tell how many times each jacket, shirt, and pant has been rented, tuxedos that do not pass inspection are retired. 

#2 The latest styles and colors. Both of these companies do an outstanding job of keeping  a pulse on the bridal wear and prom industries. This is critical to forecast the style and color trends that dictate so much of what is happening in the tuxedo industry.

#3 They promise delivery. Virtually every tuxedo event comes down the wire. The proximity of both warehouses and our ability to make last minute modifications mean there are no emergencies. We will come through guaranteed! 

For more information visit our partners online. See Jim’s at www.jimsformalwear.com or visit Nedrebo’s at their website www.nedrebos.com.



Tuxedo Checklist

• Get your wedding party measured at a good men’s clothing store. Men’s clothing stores have suits and dress pants for the groom, groomsmen, and ushers to try on. Getting professionally measured is vitally important because your wedding party will be happier when they are comfortable, and you will be happier with your wedding pictures when the men standing beside you are wearing tuxedos that fit well.
  
   
• Have your measurements turned into Graham’s 7 to 8 weeks in advance of the event. It is helpful to use holidays to help your guys remember. For example, if your wedding is in late June, you might remind your guys have your measurements done my Cinco de Mayo. That way when they go to buy a six pack of Corona on May 5th     it may also jog their memory to get their measurements e-mailed or called in.
  
   
• Remind your groomsmen that the size of their jeans is not the same size they need in dress pants. Dress pants hang and fit differently than jeans. (A guy just can’t say, “I wear a 34 x 32 in Levi’s so make my tux pants the same.” It may get you close, but in most cases, it will not be perfect. Many times using your jean size will result in a tight waist and pants that are too long.) Ask your guys to take ten minutes out of their day some afternoon to get professionally measured. Most men’s clothing stores do this as a courtesy for their customers.
  
   
• Try on a suit coat in your size. There is no substitute for trying a garment on to see how it looks, fits, and feels. This is very important because with a coat and pant on, we can instantly see if adjustments should be made to accommodate his hips, shoulders, chest, sleeve, coat length, etc.
  
   
• Choose a style of tuxedo shoes that is comfortable. Don’t go for the budget shoes; your groomsmen will thank you for this consideration. Tight, uncomfortable shoes are one of the biggest complaints men have about renting a tuxedo.
  
   
• It is critical for your formalwear store to be able to make adjustments quickly and easily. No matter how carefully you are measured, minor adjustments are sometimes needed. Don’t settle for sleeves down into your hands or half way up your elbow. Don’t settle for high-water pants or pants that drag on the floor either. You have more important things to worry about than one of your usher’s gorilla arms or one of your groomsman’s high-water pants.
  
   
• Choose professionals who will worry about the formalwear details for you. Unlike a lot of ladies, guys really don’t dream about what their tux is going to look like on their wedding day. If I asked my wife what the “colors” were for any of the weddings she has ever been to in her life, she could rattle them off in an instant. Many men (including me) don’t pick-up on or remember those details as readily. I tell the grooms we help to relax, there are many more important things to worry about than how many buttons your tuxedo should have.
  
   
• Choose formalwear professionals that can assist you in finding your ideal style based upon your own tastes and preferences.  At Graham’s we will help you quickly narrow down the choices and find the ideal fit and style for you.