I'm off to a black tie charity do next week that one of my biggest clients is throwing. I'm likely to be mixing it up with some of their senior bods, so I need to lok the part. My old DJ was fine in my student days 25 years ago, but wont cut the mustard anymore so I need to sort one out for the evening. So, buy or hire?
So, as far as I can see my choices are:
Hire a suit - but they're almost exclusively polyester, which might be okay but will feel like a cheap suit. £60ish inc suit/shirt/tie
Buy one from M&S - again £60. Again polyester/viscose. Plus shirt/tie
Bite the bullet and buy a wool one one for around £180 (there's a half price sale on in a nearby department store), plus shirt/tie. More expensive but wil look/feel much better.
Not sure when I'll next wear it, so bit reluctant to buy, but there again don't really want to turn up in a cheap suit...
I did look on ebay for ex-hire ones, but it's the kind of thing i think you need to try on.
Advice, gentlemen (and ladies), please...
What Goes Up10 Jun 2013
In reply to FrankBooth: Charity shop. They've always got a few kicking around.
Buy a decent DJ, but go for traditional and then it won't get old fashioned. I would always choose single button with a medium width pointed lapel - I've had to change mine for trouser size rather than style. Given you rarely rarely wear them in a cold environment you'll appreciate a thin pure wool over anything synthetic.
Most people I know tie their own bow-tie but we did have one chap who would bring a proper tie to swap for his pre-tied in the bar afterwards.
For style advice there is a website of Suits of James Bond. The undoubtedly best dressed villain is Kamal Khan.