When you think of tuxedos you probably think of hire shops. A suit you only need for one night does not sound like something you’d want to buy … but there is a case for purchase over rental.

A quick scan of the web will reveal that prices for a basic 2 piece tux rental start at around £40. You normally get the suit for about a week and good rental firms will make basic alterations, for example leg length, to ensure the fit is right.

Now if you’ve only agreed to wear a tux cos all your mates are wearing one, or your girlfriend says you’ll look hot, and you just can’t imagine ever wearing one again, then the hire option probably is your best bet. However, if you think that you might like to wear your tuxedo even ONCE more then you should consider buying. The reason being you can buy a basic two piece tuxedo suit for £79 – the cost of hiring just twice! So if you have a wedding coming up in your prom year or a winter formal or even just a posh house party and need a smart suit give it a thought.

One note of caution though. If you are currently growing several centimetres a week … then it may be best to stick with hiring.