Men's formal wear hire/purchase - any recommendations?

ghbradshaw

Not sure if I've posted this in the right place, but feel free to move it if there is somewhere better (I've also posted it on the Shop But Don't Drop board) - thought that maybe some other students would have ideas for this!!

I was just wondering if anyone is able to help me.... I need to hire or buy a dinner suit (tuxedo, trousers, shirt, bow tie, etc.) for a university ball next weekend, but being a student I'm on a fairly tight budget and so was wondering if anyone can recommend anywhere with good prices.
I don't mind hiring if the price seems reasonable, but if I could buy for a decent price I'd consider that too. So far I've seen that Moss do a set to hire for just under £40 (including student discount), and a website (https://www.mytuxedo.co.uk) that does a set to buy for just over £100. These aren't bad prices I suppose, but don't really want to fork out £40 to wear something once! I was wondering if anyone knows of any other sites with better prices, or any national chains or Birmingham based shops that have better deals.
Oh, and places that do a student discount would be great!
Any help would be much appreciated

[Deleted User]

I just bought myself a washable dinner suit from M&S (using friends 20% discount) and it cost just over 100 quid. Considering you're quite likely to have at least 2 or 3 balls at uni it's worth the initial cost.

I've also heard you can buy one for 60 quid at Asda...my bro bought one in a charity shop for 30 quid!

ghbradshaw

Cheers for that. It's my Graduation ball so it's gonna be my last one at uni, but still probably worth having one. I had heard something about Asda so thanks for that, may take a trip there sometime to have a look!

ffeindadifyr

I can HIGHLY recommend http://www.studenttailor.co.uk/

The quality of the suit is high and the price very reasonable!

Tuxedo, Dress Shirt, Bow Tie £104.99

Tuxedo, Dress Shirt, Cummerbund, Bow Tie £109.99

SamMoffatt28

Try Burtons, I saw an ad in their window yesterday for mens formal hire. Theres a special deal on for students. I cant remember how much exactly but I think it was something like £48. I think you need to present your NUS card.

lara1983

Retail outlets can be pretty good as well. My boyfriend got the works for about £100 at Batley Mill outlet (not your neck of the woods!) but I'm sure there must be the same things nation wide. Also, that way you get to try it on - there's really nothing worse than an ill fitting dj. Loads of my mates just wore a black suit for our ball with a dress shirt and bow tie actually if you're feeling really cheap. smart it up with cuff links and Bob's your uncle!

ghbradshaw

Thanks everyone for your advice. StudentTailor seems to be the same site as MyTuxedo, good prices on there. I haven't got loads of time to shop around, but I think I'm gonna go and look at Asda today - if they're any good and a good price I'll get it there, if not I might buy the shirt/bow tie/cummerbund package from StudentTailor/MyTuxedo and then hire just the suit which is cheaper, or maybe just use my black suit if it looks ok.
Thanks again for your help everyone!

ffeindadifyr

Also, have a quick look at ebay. I've seen some nice branded ones being sold there for around £20. - of course make sure you know allthe measurements before buying!

in_my_wellies

My OH bought one, whole lot,from a charity shop for £20 for the last Christmas ball. They don't always keep them on show so you need to ask.
(and the ladies in the shop will really make a fuss of you when you're all drssed up!)

ghbradshaw

Went to Asda and decided it wasn't worth spending that much if my suit will do the job almost as well. On my way back I went to the Next clearance store in Birmingham, where all suit jackets are currently £15 and trousers £10! Found a dinner jacket there (the only one) which fitted me (tiny bit small but not enough to be a problem), and it's also washable which is a nice bonus!! Also found a nice pair of trousers (grabbed a pair that looked good, happened to be my size and fitted well!). The trousers scanned through at £4 so I got the suit for £19!!!!
Now I'm gonna order the shirt/cummerbund/bow tie set for £19.99 (+ £3.95 delivery) from My Tuxedo.

Total cost has ended up being just under £43 for everything I need - would have cost just a few quid less to hire. I got lucky with the suit but shopping around a bit paid off. Thanks everyone for all your help :beer: