Inauguration Survival Guide

If you have tickets to attend a formal event in DC during the inauguration, be prepared to arrive in proper formal wear or risk being turned away at the door.   Yes, we know what a tuxedo looks like, and no, don’t even think about trying to get away with just a coat and tie.  If the words “penguin suit” don’t describe anything in your closet (sorry, Halloween costumes don’t count), you’ll want to rent one for the night.  If you’re unclear as to whether you have to wear black tie, here’s a brief run-down on black tie “definitions,” courtesy of the Jos A Bank Clothiers website:

• When the event says “black tie”: If the event you are attending is “black tie” and the invitation says the same, you are expected to wear a tuxedo.  All guests invited to this function are required and expected to wear formalwear.
• When the invitation says, “black tie preferred”: This means the host of the party prefers to see all guests in formalwear.  You could wear a dark suit, but tuxedos are preferred.
• When the invitation stays, “black tie invited” or “optional”: In this case, it is not mandatory to wear a tuxedo, however you will probably see more tudedos than dark suits at these affairs.  Black tuxedos and white or ivory dinner jackets with black trousers are appropriate.  However, dinner jackets should only be worn between Memorial day and labor day.
• When the invitation says “white tie”: This term means you must wear black tails with black trousers and a white pique formal shirt, bow tie, and vest.  This ensemble is know as the “ultral formal look,” and if your event calls for it, you should not wear anything else.

Due to high demand in DC, most people will recommend that you rent your tux back in your hometown, but if you want to try your luck here instead, you’ll want to call ahead and make your reservation in advance.   Here are some places that advertise tuxedo rentals (note that I’ve never rented a tuxedo and don’t know which places offer the best deals or whether they’re even still in business):

• After Hours Formal Wear: Fashion Center at Pentagon City, 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington, VA 22202
  (703) 416-1620
  
• Baytok Bespoke Tailoring: 1804 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20007
  (202) 337-4800
  
• Bridal Images: 837-F Rockville Pike, Wintergreen Plaza, Rockville, MD 20852
  (301) 738-9080
  
• Christopher Kim’s Men’s Wear: 2000 M St., NW #2000, Washington, DC 20036
  (202) 955-5467
  
• Esteem Formal Wear: 2100 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
  (202) 429-0591
  
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• Georgetown Formal Wear: 1804 Wisconsin Ave, Washington DC 20007
  (202) 625-2247
  
• Highcliffe Clothiers Ltd: 16 South Madison Street, Middleburg VA 20117 (makes deliveries to DC)
  (540) 687-5633
• Joe Custom Tailor & Tuxedo Rental: 2055 L St., NW, Washington D.C., DC 20036
  (202) 333-6748
  
• Lustre Formal Wear: 311 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20001
  (202) 544-0002
  
• Masters Tuxedo Inc: 3840 S Four Mile Run Dr, Arlington, VA 22206
  (703) 998-7043
  
• Men’s Wearhouse & MW Tux: 1024 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC 20036
  (202) 463-3015
  
• Reston Tailoring: 2260 Hunters Woods Plaza, Suite B, Reston, Virginia 20191-2811
  (703) 860-3560
  
• Scogna Formal Wear: 1908 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
  (202)296-4555
  
• Tuxedo House: 2135-37 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, MD
  (410) 252-6220
  
• Valet Formal Wear Corporation: Washington, DC 2001
  (202) 737-7144
  

• Dressregistry.com

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