So, for those who have used Carolyn Allen's for your DF.....

[Lorelei528]

I'm curious, the way it was explained to me over the phone (Keith who was amazing!)...

You have to get them your guy's measurements....Keith said that any good formal shop would take measurements for us even if we weren't actually renting or buying anything from them...is this really true? Do you tell them outright that you are going through the shop down in Orlando? Or do you play it like you are going with them and then don't actually order anything? I'm sure a lot of you can answer this....
So tell me ladies, how exactly do you procure your guy's official formalwear measurements from said formalwear shop if you are not doing any actual business with them?

I thought we'd go in the next couple of months, just so I can cross something else off my list. Eoghan already picked out something he liked from Carolyn Allen's website (some mandarin collar job) and he mentioned he would like to try either that one or something very similar on to see if he actually liked it. Suggestions? Ideas?

Thanks!

 

[lurkyloo]

CA is part of the Jim's Formalwear network, so what we did was find a Jim's dealer in our area (the website has a great search engine) and get measured there. You could even call around to find one with the same style Eoghan wants (though I suspect it is a special-order item).

We actually had DH measured three times - the first place we went got really uninterested in us when they found out we weren't ordering from them. They only filled in some of the measurements on the form CA gives you.

So at the next place we pretended like we were going to order the tux from them and take it to Florida with us (which is how I found out that CA marked up the price of our tux by $40!). But they didn't fill in all the measurements either - in a different way. I was going to just figure out an average, but DH went by himself to a THIRD store, where they were really nice even though they knew he wouldn't be renting from them.

We just took the numbers that showed up the most often among the three fittings and sent them to CA. Thank goodness two of the ladies who measured DH knew that coats come in different lengths - DH's twin brother ended up in a coat that was way too big for him cuz the place he went didn't know he needed a Short-length coat.

The gist of this shaggy dog story being... get measured at more than one place just to be sure! There's not a lot CA's can do to alter special order pieces, and if you're married on Sunday or Monday they can't order replacement pieces.

 

[Bouncy bounce]

We placed our order with CA...

When we went back to NJ for my bridal shower my DF went with the best man to a place that carries jim's formalware. As soon as my DF said we werent ordering from them they were really rude. Took the measurements and shoed them out of the store.

My DB who is a groomsman went to 5 different places in nj 3 that were actual jim's formalware retailers. They all refused when he said he didnt need to fill out the paper work since he was ordering someplace else (he did say it was for a jim's formalware in FL since it was a destination wedding).

He finally had to go to a tailor. You can always go to a department store as well... JCPenneys, macys etc....

Good Luck,......

 

[lurkyloo]

Yeah, deception may be the best way to go.... I had no qualms about moving my wedding date forward when I told the bridal salon so I'd get my dress in time - maybe this is a similar situation....

While we're on the subject, I thought I'd post some fitting guidelines from Jim's that you can keep in mind when DF is trying on tuxes. I found them really helpful:

Button Your Jacket
During a fitting, make sure you button your jacket. If it produces an hour
glass shape, the coat may be too tight. If it looks 'boxy,' it may be too
big. No matter whether you are slim, stocky or muscular, a properly fitted
jacket will taper slightly at the waist.

Pay Attention To Your Shoulders...
The shoulder padding of your tuxedo jacket should not extend beyond the tip
of your shoulders and hang down your arm. If so, your jacket is too big!
Conversely, if a significant crease or roll appears below the jacket collar
in back, your jacket may be too small.

The Pant Leg Should Break Where?
The perfect length pant leg breaks slightly on top of the shoe and angles a
bit downward. To properly judge the fit of your trousers, you should wear your formal shoes when trying on your pants.

How Much Shirt Sleeve Should We See Under the Coat?
Shirt sleeves should extend one quarter to one half inch beyond the jacket's
sleeves.

A Properly Fitted Collar...
A formal shirt collar should wrap smoothly around the neck. If you can slip
more than one finger between the collar and your neck, your shirt is too
big. If no fingers fit, your shirt is too small.

 

[Donald'sGirl]

Yeah, deception may be the best way to go.... I had no qualms about moving my wedding date forward when I told the bridal salon so I'd get my dress in time - maybe this is a similar situation....

While we're on the subject, I thought I'd post some fitting guidelines from Jim's that you can keep in mind when DF is trying on tuxes. I found them really helpful:

Button Your Jacket
During a fitting, make sure you button your jacket. If it produces an hour
glass shape, the coat may be too tight. If it looks 'boxy,' it may be too
big. No matter whether you are slim, stocky or muscular, a properly fitted
jacket will taper slightly at the waist.

Pay Attention To Your Shoulders...
The shoulder padding of your tuxedo jacket should not extend beyond the tip
of your shoulders and hang down your arm. If so, your jacket is too big!
Conversely, if a significant crease or roll appears below the jacket collar
in back, your jacket may be too small.

The Pant Leg Should Break Where?
The perfect length pant leg breaks slightly on top of the shoe and angles a
bit downward. To properly judge the fit of your trousers, you should wear your formal shoes when trying on your pants.

How Much Shirt Sleeve Should We See Under the Coat?
Shirt sleeves should extend one quarter to one half inch beyond the jacket's
sleeves.

A Properly Fitted Collar...
A formal shirt collar should wrap smoothly around the neck. If you can slip
more than one finger between the collar and your neck, your shirt is too
big. If no fingers fit, your shirt is too small.

Carrie, those are great tips!! You are the best! Thank you!

 

[lpizzuro123]

When we were down in WDW for our planning session we went to CA. My DF's dad lives in Orlando so he went with us and they both got measured. When we can back up to NJ we found a local Jim's Formal Wear shop and got my dad and my DF's best man measured there. I called first and told them what we were going to do. When we went in they were very accomodating but did not spent alot of time with us. My DF's other two guys got measured near where they live in NY.

I agree with lurkyloo about buttoning the jacket and checking out the shoulders. My DF is between sizes, 44XL is too wide (it makes him look like a kids in his dad's tux) and 42XL was alittle too tight (especially when buttoning it). I posted this on the boards a few weeks ago and someone suggested checking out if CA carried a 43XL. I called them directly and the style tux he is getting does come in 43XL so we ordered that. When we went to our local shop with my dad, my DF tried on a 43 and the fit was so much better.

Linda

 

[Keira1387]

We just went to a local tux rental shop that carried Jim's Formal wear and they were very easy to deal with. We just gave them the form that CA gives you and they filled it out for us. Some of the guys even went at different times. We had no problems.

 

[Lorelei528]

Well, I decided to call Lord and Taylor or Nordstrom who are both known for their customer service and ask them if they could measure my man for a tux...they said it would be no problem...

So, I think we'll just head over to L&T in the next few weeks or so...what do you guys think? Do you foresee any problems or issues with this plan of attack?

Let me know what you think please-

Thanks!
Lori

 

[Donald'sGirl]

Well, I decided to call Lord and Taylor or Nordstrom who are both known for their customer service and ask them if they could measure my man for a tux...they said it would be no problem...

So, I think we'll just head over to L&T in the next few weeks or so...what do you guys think? Do you foresee any problems or issues with this plan of attack?

Let me know what you think please-

Thanks!
Lori

Let me know how it works out for you. I don't need to take DF for awhile (a year) but it would be good to know how they were in helping you. Good Luck!