<p>Many schools have a very specific dress code and it is worthwhile to find it and read it. S’s school required tails, which we purchased online. Also required black patent leather shoes. Occasional gigs or chamber music required a regular black tux. Pit music required all black. </p>
<p>His high school required a tux, which we bought when he was in 9th grade for $100. (School special.) He wore it to several proms, his brother borrowed it for a prom, he wore it through college and grad school, and wears it now for his job. 12 years and counting… Best money we ever spent.</p>
<p>Most of the time his job/school has required black bow tie and cummerbund. His current job occasionally asks for tails with white tie and vest. So he has quite an assortment. He has a couple suits, too, which are mainly used for gigs or recitals. One summer festival needed a white tux, which we got online. (S is short and scrawny. Retail stores don’t generally carry his size. Also, buying on line means we can indicate jacket and pants sizes separately, for a better fit.)</p>
<p>By the way, Kohls sometimes has tux shirts for good prices.</p>
<p>Just saw a complete tux outfit in our local Second Chance Shop for $25. They are out there and you can get lucky. We purchased a tux for S2 last year at Men’s Warehouse - they sell off some tuxes (we bought ours after prom season with a coupon from the prom rental). He has worn it several times already for concerts.</p>
<p>I found a black suit for H for $5 in the same Second Chance Shop last weekend. It fits perfectly and I am still shocked it fits and he actually likes it. Saves us big $ and tons of time going back for alterations.</p>
<p>Tails? Ugh, I had not even considered that! I will call the schools before buying. So maybe I am jumping the gun and am trying to do this too soon, but I want him to have the tux for the prom too. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out…</p>
<p>We bought son a wool suit in 10th grade for a dance, and we’ve let it out so it still fits. He grew 1/2" and lost 15 lb his first semester, so he’s bringing it home to take it in over Spring Break. He’s at Jacobs (IU), and so far the suit has worked for all orchestra & chamber playing. He has requested fitted shirts, as his HS provided a tux, but not shirts, and the fitted shirts fit better than the off the shelf ones.</p>
<p>Some things to consider: </p>
<p>Material - rental & inexpensive suits/tuxes are polyester, which means that they don’t breathe & they retain smell. Wool & silk breathe, and are more durable, as well as more expensive.</p>
<p>Fit - depending on the instrument, it is important that the suit/tux allow for free movement & breath support. If your son is extra tall/short/thin/wide, a fitted shirt & suit may be needed.</p>
<p>Shirts - have at least one extra. Frequent concerts combined with student laundering increases the probability of not finding a clean shirt.</p>
<p>Shoes - be sure to have good dress shoes, and that your son knows how to polish them. We lucked out on a new pair of Italian dress shoes for $32 - to fit his size 16 1/2 feet!</p>
<p>Details - multiple bow ties are great, be sure that he has several pairs of dress socks, and perhaps a second black belt in case it disappears for a while.</p>
<p>We’ve promised our son a good wool tux for a college graduation, and we’re hoping that he’s done growing by then.</p>