Introduction

Your best friend announces he is getting married, and you are the best man. Now you need to find men's suits for rent. But what do you need to know? How expensive is it? What are the terms of the agreement?

As a man, renting a suit can be overwhelming if it is your first time. That is why we have put together this comprehensive and informative guide on how to navigate the process of renting a suit perfect for various occasions.

Cost-Effectiveness of Renting vs. Buying

The first question most people ask is whether it's cost-effective to rent or buy a suit.

Let's look at a quick example for someone who only needs a suit for a single event, like the wedding above:

Renting a Suit	Buying a Suit
Between $100-$250 for the average rental	Between $300 and $4,000 to buy
Often includes pants, shirt, coat, vest, shoes, and cufflinks	Often only applies to the suit, so you need to spend more on the shirt, vest, shoes and cufflinks: $40-$200 for cufflinks $40-$500 for shirts $50-$200 for vests $50-$300 for shoes
You can show up a few days before your event (for a small rush fee) and have a fitted suit with ease	You need additional time to have the suit tailored to your frame
You don’t need to pay for alterations if you need to rent a suit in the future; just adjust your sizes	You will need to pay for alterations if you change size/weight: $10-$45 to hem pants $5-$10 each for grommet, hook, or button adjustment $10-$60 for shirt sleeve adjustment $10-45 for waist band adjustment $40-$100 for suit jacket adjustments $15-$35 for dress shirt adjustment $30-$50 for shirt collar adjustment $20-$90 for taking in a jacket or vest $50 to replace or add lining

Using the example above and the average cost for each of the fees associated with buying a suit, the cost-effectiveness is as follows:

• The total average cost to rent men's suits: $175
• The total average cost to buy men’s suits: $1500
• Time cost to rent men’s suits: You must show up for an initial fitting and return the suit each time you rent.
• Time cost to buy men’s suits: You have to show up for an initial fitting. You also have to show up each time you have to have alterations and then pick up the final product.

How to Rent a Suit: Your Guide

Now that you know the cost of men's suits for rent sits significantly lower than the cost of buying suits, how do you rent a suit? What are the steps involved?

1. Identifying Your Need

The first step in renting a suit is figuring out your needs. This includes things like:

• How long do you need the suit
• What type of event are you going to (weddings might need a tux, whereas a business event or graduation might need a suit)
• Choosing the vest style
• Selecting a pattern
• Figuring out the color you want
• Personalizing your suit with a tie, cufflinks, or shoes

Tip: If you aren't sure what you need, don't be afraid to ask. Reputable rental shops will have online tools to help you through this process, and you can always walk into a warehouse and talk to someone about figuring out the perfect size and design for your circumstance.

 

2. Decoding the Suit Jargon

Understanding suit jargon and terminology can make it much easier to feel confident about renting a suit. There's nothing worse than asking for an explanation after every question.

• Suit: A jacket and pants that come in a form set.
• Lapels: The fabric flaps that fold back around the dollar and on either side of the suit jacket.
• Notch Lapel: Where the bottom creates a V-notch where it meets the top
• Stepped Lapel: Where you have two saw teeth sections.
• Buttons: The buttoning point or button stance refers to where the buttons rest on the suit jacket. You can choose three buttons where the tallest button is farther from the other two.
• Shoulder: This is part of the shoulder and can be a structured shoulder with padding like those in pinstriped suits or an extended shoulder.
• Pockets: Suits will have at least two kinds of pockets, usually the breast pocket in which a pocket square is placed and the pockets along the sides of the suit jacket.
• Pocket Square: This is a small piece of fabric placed in the top chest pocket that adds a touch of formality.
• Body Panels: Body panels refer to the pieces around your body and the shape they take.

Tip: There are innumerable combinations, all of which might be better for people with lean figures, taller people, those who are broad-chested, and so forth. If you rent a suit, you don't have to know which style is most favorable to your body type; reputable tailors can make that determination for you.

 

3. Finding a Reputable Rental Shop

Finding a reputable rental shop means locating a shop that only uses high-quality, well-cut suits. Look for where they source their materials so that you get the softest quality without a high price tag. Every suit or tuxedo that's rented from a facility should look and feel like it's brand new.

Another key to finding a reputable shop is a facility that has a wide range of modern to classic designs for your special event, wedding, or graduation.

You want rental shops that provide flexible rental agreements so you can choose to return your suit after an extended rental instead of having to return it the next day.

4. Trying the Suit

After you find a place that offers men's suits for rent, the next step in renting a suit is trying it on. Top to your facilities will let you:

1. First, submit your measurements online or over the phone,
2. Second, schedule an appointment to try everything on

Tip: Premier facilities will include a warehouse on site so that when you show up to try on your suit, if it doesn't quite fit, or you need slight adjustments, they can go grab another suit without you having to make a follow-up appointment.

5. Assessing the Suit Quality

Different quality fabrics will feel more or less comfortable against your skin. Some people prefer wool, while others prefer a blend. You can talk to a reputable rental shop about the type of fabric best suited to your event and the season.

6. Understanding the Rental Agreement

The rental agreement will lay out all the legal terms that effectively state that the company is renting the suit to you, and you agree to pay a rental fee in exchange. Other items covered include the following:

• You have a time frame, usually a few days or weeks before your event, where you pick up your suit and then a drop-off time to return the suit.
• There is a non-refundable rental deposit at the time you make your reservation, the amount of which will be stated.
• If there are any additional fees for changes after the initial fitting, they will be outlined in the agreement.
• Any late fees or extended rental fees will be listed in their dollar amount.
• If the suit is not returned in good condition within a certain number of days, the company might deem it lost or stolen, in which case you'll be charged the full retail value.

All of the important details, including dates and costs, are included in this rental agreement, so don't let any complicated legal jargon throw you off.

Tip: Be sure to read the agreement before you sign off and note expected costs and deadlines.

7. Caring for the Rented Suit

Usually, you don't have to professionally clean your tuxedo before you return it; that's often part of the service included in the rental as outlined by your rental agreement.

 

8. Returning the Suit

The final piece in knowing how to rent a suit is knowing when to return it. If you rent men's suits, there is a return date listed in your agreement, and it's usually the day after you need the suit. This means you have to make sure you care for the suit and return it before the close of business.

You will be assessed late fees if you don't return it on time.

Tip: More reputable suit rental facilities will offer extended rental agreements so that you can rent for a few days at a time, which is particularly useful for out-of-state weddings.

Final Thoughts

Every man should feel confident renting the perfect suit. There are numerous benefits to renting a suit, not the least of which is the reduced cost and convenience of having a fitted suit at your disposal when the moment strikes.

With this guide, you are prepared to understand the jargon, find a quality rental shop, and make sure you feel comfortable and confident in the suit you rent.