When potential clients come in, Anna Devine likes to sit them down on a sofa and ask them what they’re looking for, in everything from the shirt to the shoes to the suit itself. Do they want to wear something casual, formal, or something out of the ordinary? A bow tie or a real tie?
Devine and her clients will go through catalogs and start picking out options (and if they can’t make it into the store, Charleston Tuxedo’s concierge service will bring the consultation right to the customer). The store carries brands like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis, and Ike Behar, plus more. Devine says that these days, the two-button solid black tuxedo and the two-button white dinner jacket with black pants are some of the most popular styles for those going the traditional route. “A lot of people are doing tan, especially if they’re getting married on the beach, and gray seems to be getting more and more popular,” she adds.
The most important thing that grooms should think about when getting a tux is the fit. “It’s going to fit totally different than the suits and the slacks that they’ve been wearing,” Devine explains. Fortunately, if they put on a couple of pounds due to pre-ceremony stress eating, as long as they give Devine a heads-up before she orders the tux, she should be able to take care of it.
Devine’s biggest piece of advice: Men should shop for their formal wear the way a bride shops for her dress. Get in early. Don’t wait until the last minute. And Charleston Tuxedo can also accommodate women who would like to wear a tux for their big day — they’ll help get the tailoring and fit just right.
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