When it comes to attire, it’s essential for the groomsmen to wear quality suits that match the big day’s aesthetic. And that leads me to our question of the day, do groomsmen rent or buy suits?
These days, it’s more common for groomsmen to buy their suits rather than rent. Since suits are both less expensive than a tuxedo and versatile enough to be worn for many different occasions, purchasing a suit is almost always the better option.
That said, if you’re the kind of person that never wears a suit, , and thus, you know for a fact you won’t make use of it again, it might be smarter to rent instead of buy.
So which option is best for you?
Well, if you’re caught in the middle of whether you should rent or buy a suit, I’m going to cover all of the points you should acknowledge before making your final decision.
Let’s jump in!
Buying Vs. Renting Groomsmen Suits
Groomsmen typically assume their attire is insignificant and easy to overlook.
After all, the bride is the one who will be drawing all of the attention, right?
I mean, she must have spent a considerable amount on her dress for the big day. Is anyone even going to look at the groomsmen?
While that seems to be a popular misconception, the groom and his groomsmen should absolutely look equally as dapper—you wouldn’t want to throw off the entire wedding’s charm with tasteless suits. Not to mention, you’ll be standing up at the altar, too.
Once upon a time, suits and tuxes were regularly made custom for men. Not only that, but clothing for both men and women was also usually tailored specifically for each individual.
Today, the practice of custom-made apparel isn’t necessarily frequent. Although you can, of course, have custom suits made for weddings and other special occasions, there are now the options to buy them off-the-rack or merely rent them.
After deciding—or being told—the details about what kind of suit you’re going to wear, the next step is to decide between renting and buying. When it comes down to it, renting and buying suits are both popular choices for weddings. And, each certainly has its advantages.
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Buying
Investing in a suit as a groomsman has pros that many men decide are worth the purchase.
If you’re a groomsman or best man for your close friend’s wedding, sentiment can make for ample motivation to buy your suit and keep it as a symbol of your friendship.
Aside from that, while tuxedos are usually excessively fancy to wear repeatedly, a suit provides more options and function.
In other words, you’ll likely run into events that require formalwear in the future, so it’s beneficial to own at least one quality suit.
All that said, buying might not be for you if you’re trying to cut costs.
Renting
Renting a suit is an appealing alternative for groomsmen because each wedding has its own aesthetic, and there are plenty of styles that just don’t fit any other occasion.
Not to mention, if wearing a suit is an extremely rare occasion for you, then it might not be worth the cost.
On another note, if the bride and groom are opting for tuxedos rather than suits, renting is typically the better choice.
While renting will restrict your style choices, it can be a much more economical approach for groomsmen.
How To Decide On Buying Or Renting
Whether you’re the groom or a groomsman, deciding between renting or buying a suit can be a daunting task. Ultimately, the choice comes down to you and what your plans look like in the future.
However, while the choice is hugely dependent on preference, various other factors may also come into play. To help make the process a bit easier, we’ll cover a few details that you should give some thought to before giving a new suit the key to your closet.
Cost
Whether you’re the groom or a groomsman, wedding costs tend to add up quickly. Which is why cost is the first factor you should consider when deciding to rent or buy a suit.
It’s widely believed that renting suits is cheaper than buying, and that can be accurate. But, is it smarter to rent instead of purchase?
In my experience, the average price of a suit rental comes in at somewhere between $150 and $180. And, for a one-time-wear, that is generally the better option.
But, purchasing a new suit can be more beneficial in the long run if you plan on wearing it in the future.
Believe it or not, these days, you can buy a nice-looking, quality suit for anywhere between $300 and $500. And while it might cost a little more than renting, you’ll own an attractive suit for other formal occasions that might pop up down the road.
For instance, does your office job expect professional attire? Or, do you have a ton of friends you expect will be getting married in the near future? If so, then buying a suit might make a ton of sense. If not, then renting might be your best option. Speaking of options…
Options
It could be a good idea to weigh the pros and cons of renting vs. buying in terms of style options.
Rentals could potentially lack the style and fit you’re hoping for, making it burdensome to find the appropriate suit. Rental shops generally offer classic, traditional designs that don’t always work well with modern wedding attire.
And what’s worse than showing up to your buddy’s wedding looking like you’re picking up a date for prom?
To get the most out of your money, buying a suit that is tailor-made for your preferred style will allow for much more flexibility in the future.
While you can typically find various sizes and types of suits with rental companies, everyone has a unique body, and clothes don’t work perfectly for everyone.
Unless you have the same figure as the mannequin wearing the suit you’ve been eyeing, it’s typical to need alterations. Although you may still be able to have a suit altered when renting, the alterations are limited. If all you need is to take up the sleeves an inch, no worries. But, if you need much more than basic tailoring, renting might not work out well for you.
When you buy, however, the alteration possibilities are wide open. You’re more likely to find the perfect fit, fabric, and style that will complement your physique. And, you can easily customize a purchase to your preferences if need be.
Ultimately, renting usually limits your options when it comes to suits.
So if you’re on the hunt for a specific, personalized suit that you can use for special occasions to come, we suggest buying your suit.
Convenience
The convenience of one over the other might make deciding between buying or renting a bit easier.
Many grooms appreciate the ease of having all of their groomsmen on one page by buying or renting the suits from the same place at one time. Aside from being opportune, the probability of one groomsman showing up in a vastly different suit from the others is far lower.
Weddings are already stressful enough; finding suits all together can be extremely helpful. Worrying about finding a nice suit—or worse, forgetting to find one—is merely added stress that nobody wants.
Renting can be easy for all of the groomsmen if done through a national chain like Men’s Warehouse, where each can go to a store near them to grab their suits. If you’re the groom planning to buy suits for all of your groomsmen, make it simple and take them to a shop and get them measured. You could even order some pizza and make a guy’s day out of it.
Final Thoughts
While there are advantages to both buying and renting, these days, it is more common for groomsmen to buy their suits.
Renting might be cheaper and could make more sense if you’re only planning to wear the suit once. However, if you’re on the lookout for a suit that you can wear time and time again, purchasing your suit will get you the most bang for your buck.
Now that we’ve discussed the difficult choice of buying vs. renting groomsmen suits, I hope you’re equipped with all the information needed to make the best choice for you or your men.
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