Those of you who do alot of formal shows

[bobbykokinos]

What do you do for formal wear?? I have three options.

1. Buy a tux (roughly around $180 for a wool one)
2. Keep renting (not sure how much it costs)
3. Do a quasi-tux (black suit with all of the tux accessories)

What do you guys do??

[Esquillama]

I'm in a show band, and we always wear tuxes.
Each member of our group brings several to each gig
(you'll need garment bags)because we want to have
options when we get there.
We also change for each set. We've been playing three
sets a night lately, so that means three different tuxes.

My point is this, if you are going to play shows where you
are expected to dress this way, you might as well buy your
own. Over time, your "performance clothes" will pay for
themselves. Just like buying any other equipment you use
regularly for a gig does.

Now, my suggestion is to contact you're local tux rental shop,
ask them if they have older/slightly out of style items that they
would be willing to sell to you and/or your bandmates.
It's quite possible you could get a "group discount".
We get a pair of tux shoes for about $5 each.
Pants are around $20, and a coat is about $40(I think).
If you're only going to wear one outfit, this should be easy
for the whole group to get matching suits. Or you could all
get something a little different. Whatever you're personal
tastes are.

I just know that this band gets a much more professional
response from "management" than other bands I've played in,
and I think it's partially because of how we present ourselves.

Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best!

[bobbykokinos]

Thank you for the suggestion!! Unfortunatly, I will not be able to get a group discount because I'm the only one buying. But I will ask to see if they have any old/used/out of date tuxes..

[Esquillama]

Best of luck!

[MJ5150]

We only wear tuxes if they are paid for by the people who hired us. I have an extensive collection of fine quality suits, so I can get away with wearing one of those 99% of the time.

-Mike

[bobbykokinos]

I went ahead and broke down and bought a suit. I didn't spend a whole lot ($150 with all the tux accessories) because I know it would end up getting beatin on..

[Esquillama]

Now you have a "base" to start with.
It's easy to add a different set of cummerbund & tie,
or a vest or another shirt, and you'll have several
different "looks" to go with.
This can be done over time of course. Stick with what you've
got for now, and after you feel that it's paid for itself have
some fun changing it up a little.

[Chunk-O-Funk]

I did the quasi-tux thing.

We were primarily a club band, but would pick up weddings and functions from our gigs, so every now and then a tux was required. I already had a plain looking black suit, so I picked up the tie, shirt and what not pretty cheap.

If it looks like it may be a regular thing, you should pick one up. The kind of money you can make at one of those gigs will pay for the tux. If a tux is a must, and this is going to be a one time thing, go rent a one. Unless of course you have a black suit that will pull it off. You can pick up the shirt and accessories cheaper than renting a tux.

[Steve]

Go to the Goodwill store and pick yourself up a nice Armani Tux for $25.

It worked for me.

[NV43345]

Originally Posted by bikertrash82

Go to the Goodwill store and pick yourself up a nice Armani Tux for $25.

It worked for me.

+1 on the Goodwill and the Salavtion Army stores.I like to go to them on the weekends sometimes to look for old Hot Wheel cars. Last week my wife went with and wound up finding a Red cocktail dress for $4.00. It still had the Victoria Secret tags on it, it was brand new. She looked it up in her Victoria Secret catalog and it was $80.00. They get new stuff in every day and have alot of clothes for cheap.

[DWBass]

My band has done a lot of weddings and corporate gigs but have yet to wear or have been required to wear tux's! We do wear uniform black/white clothing or something to match the occasion, [i.e. Hawaiian]. Personally, I can't see wearing a tux and playing 'Brick House'!

[Esquillama]

Originally Posted by DWBass

My band has done a lot of weddings and corporate gigs but have yet to wear or have been required to wear tux's! We do wear uniform black/white clothing or something to match the occasion, [i.e. Hawaiian]. Personally, I can't see wearing a tux and playing 'Brick House'!

We do a full disco medley wearing our tuxes,
of course we are usually wearing our custom made
red sequined jackets at the time.

[bassicinstinct]

Originally Posted by bikertrash82

Go to the Goodwill store and pick yourself up a nice Armani Tux for $25.

It worked for me.

+1.

I bought an unworn mohair mix tux from my local shrift/charity shop for £3.00 ($6.00) and I have been using it when the occasion demanded for the last 5 years.