Generation Tux + Kennedy Blue
Renting vs. buying a wedding suit or tuxedo
The real pros, cons, and costs of each — so you can pick the right one for your wedding with confidence.
Why we recommend Kennedy Blue & Generation Tux
Buying and renting each make sense for different people — and this guide walks you through both. But the brand you choose matters as much as the decision. We only point you to two, because they're the two we trust to get it right.
A suit that's yours to keep
- ✓More comfortable and easy to move in — 4-way stretch lets you sit, hug, and dance all day.
- ✓Breathable and lightweight, so you stay cool and crisp from the ceremony to the last dance.
- ✓Tailors cleanly to your body for a sharp, flattering fit.
- ✓Colors that coordinate with Kennedy Blue bridesmaid dresses.
- ✓Free shipping & free returns, shipped nationwide — order with zero risk.
A premium rental, done for you
- ✓Premium, high-end material — a genuinely sharp, well-made look.
- ✓Easy online sizing — their fit technology sizes you from a few simple details (height, weight, pant size), no tailor visit.
- ✓Free swatches and an at-home try-on in your size before the big day.
- ✓Your suit or tux arrives about 14 days before the wedding — not a day or two — so there's time to fix any issue.
- ✓Ships to each person's door nationwide, weeks ahead — no out-of-town groomsmen picking up the week of and scrambling.
Either way, you end up with a sharp, well-fitting look you can count on for the wedding — the only real difference is whether you keep it or send it back. The rest of this guide helps you decide which fits your situation.
The 30-second answer
It comes down to one question: do you want to keep the suit, or hand it back after the wedding? Both get you a sharp, well-fitting look — here's the quick version.
Buy if you want to keep your suit and have it fit you properly. Because it's yours, it can be tailored to your exact build for a clean, custom fit — a real advantage if you're hard to fit off the rack. The trade-off: a suit worth keeping costs a bit more up front, and a great fit may mean a quick visit to a tailor.
Rent if you want a premium, high-quality look with none of the work. It's done for you and arrives ready to wear, which takes the stress off you and the wedding party. The trade-off: you're paying for one-time use and you send it back after the wedding.
Quick gut check: if you'll wear a suit again — or you want it to fit you just right — lean buy. If you want a top-tier look handled for you with nothing to keep, lean rent.
Buy vs. rent, side by side
Here, Buy means a Kennedy Blue suit you own, and Rent means renting through Generation Tux.
| Buy · Kennedy Blue | Rent · Generation Tux | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $189–$399 to own, depending on the pieces | $139–$159 for the suit or tux; around $200+ for a full look with accessories |
| Comfort | 4-way stretch — easy to move, sit, and dance in all day | Premium, well-made material that looks and feels sharp |
| Fit | Tailored to your exact build for a clean, custom fit | Sized to you from at-home measurements; ready to wear |
| Keep or return | It's yours — wear it again for years | Ship it back after the wedding |
| Best for | You'll wear it again, or you want it to fit you just right | A top-tier look, done for you, with nothing to keep |
| The effort | Order online; ships to your door with free exchanges | Measure at home; arrives ready — Gen Tux handles the rest |
| Watch out for | Cheap suits elsewhere — stiff, uncomfortable, and not worth re-wearing | Lock it in early so it arrives with time to spare |
Cost to buy vs. cost to rent
The simple version, with real ranges. What you pay depends on how much you get.
Buy · Kennedy Blue
- Full range to own$189–$399
- 2-piece suit (jacket + pants)~$299
- 3-piece suit (adds a vest)~$329
- Dress shirt$49
- Tie & pocket squarefrom $10
Build it out as far as you like — and it's yours to keep and wear again.
Rent · Generation Tux
- Suit or tux rental$139–$159
- Add a dress shirt~$25
- Add a tie / pocket square$10–$15
- Full look with accessories~$200+
- Industry avg. wedding rental~$205
Priced per event. You wear it once and ship it back.
Cost-per-wear calculator
Renting always looks cheaper for one day. But you're paying to borrow, not to own. Plug in your real numbers — it does the math instantly.
If you buy and want a perfect fit, budget for tailoring: roughly $20–$50 for basic alterations (hems, sleeve and pant length) and $75–$150 for more extensive work.
Who should buy, who should rent
Buy if…
- ✓You'll wear a suit again — for weddings, work, or other events.
- ✓You want it to fit you just right, tailored to your body.
- ✓You have a unique body type that's hard to fit off the rack. A suit you own can be tailored to fit you properly.
- ✓You like the comfort of 4-way stretch you can move and dance in.
- ✓You'd rather own a quality suit than pay to borrow one.
Rent if…
- ✓You want it easy — done for you, with nothing to think about.
- ✓You want a premium, high-quality look without the commitment.
- ✓You'd rather not keep, store, or care for a suit afterward.
- ✓You want it measured at home and shipped ready to wear.
- ✓You're happy to wear it once and send it back.
Coordinating your whole party
Both paths make it easy to get everyone in a matching look, even when the guys are spread across the country.
Buy · Kennedy Blue
- ✓Everyone orders the same color online and it ships to each person.
- ✓Free exchanges make a quick size swap simple before the day.
- ✓Suits can be tailored to each guy for a clean fit — great for unique builds.
Rent · Generation Tux
- ✓Each guy gets fitted online in minutes — no store visit.
- ✓Matching looks ship to every person's door about two weeks ahead.
- ✓Free swatches and a home try-on for the couple, plus group tools that keep everyone on track.
A suit rental / purchase timeline
A simple plan that works whether you buy or rent — start early and the rest is easy.
Two easy ways to do it
Whatever you decide, we've got you — buy and keep, or rent and return.
Own a suit that lasts
Wool-blend, 4-way stretch suits and tuxes in navy, green, tan, charcoal and more — color-coordinated with your Kennedy Blue dresses. From $189, free shipping & free returns.
Shop suits
Rent a suit or tux
Prefer to rent? Our partner Generation Tux ships premium suits and tuxes to each groomsman, measured at home — perfect for tuxedos, scattered parties, and last-minute timelines.
Rent a suitBuy vs. rent: FAQ
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a wedding suit or tuxedo?
For a single event, renting is often cheaper up front. Over two or more events, buying a suit you own usually costs less per wear, since a rental fee repeats every time. The calculator above does the math with your own numbers.
How much does it cost to rent a tuxedo or suit?
Through our partner Generation Tux, the suit or tux itself rents for about $139–$159. Adding a shirt (~$25) and a tie or pocket square ($10–$15) brings a complete look to roughly $200. The average wedding rental across the industry is around $205 (The Knot, 2025).
How much does it cost to buy a Kennedy Blue suit?
Kennedy Blue suits range from $189 to about $399 depending on the pieces you choose — jacket, pants, vest, shirt, and tie. A 2-piece suit is around $300 and a 3-piece around $330. If you want a perfect fit, budget roughly $20–$50 for basic tailoring.
Why do you recommend Kennedy Blue for buying and Generation Tux for renting?
Because the brand matters as much as the decision. Our suits are real wool-blend with 4-way stretch — comfortable, well-made, and yours to keep. And for renting, Generation Tux offers premium material, easy at-home sizing, and delivery weeks ahead, so we partnered with them for the rental side.
Can I alter a rental?
Rentals are sized to you from your measurements and arrive ready to wear, with only minor tweaks possible. If you want a suit tailored precisely to your body, buying and tailoring gives you the most control over the fit.
Do I get my money back when I return a rental?
No — a rental fee covers borrowing the suit for the event, so it isn't refundable. When you buy, that money stays with you as a suit you keep and can wear again.
Can I rent or buy a suit last-minute?
Both can work on a short timeline. Generation Tux ships rentals quickly, and Kennedy Blue has ready-to-ship suits with free exchanges. The tighter the timeline, the less room there is for custom tailoring, so order as early as you can.
What if I'm big & tall or hard to fit?
Both options offer a wide size range. If you have a unique build that's tough to fit off the rack, buying lets you tailor the suit to your body for the cleanest fit.
Can my groomsmen buy and rent for the same wedding?
Yes. As long as everyone matches on color, some guys can buy and others can rent — plenty of parties mix both. It's a good way to fit different budgets and preferences.
How do we coordinate groomsmen across different cities?
If you buy, everyone orders the same color online and it ships to each person, with free exchanges for sizing. If you rent, Generation Tux's group tools let each guy measure at home and have a matching look shipped to him. Either way, no one has to be in the same place.
What suit colors can I get?
Kennedy Blue suits come in a wide range of colors — including navy, charcoal, greens, tans, blues and more — all available to buy and keep. You can order free fabric swatches to check the exact shade before you decide.
How far in advance should I rent or buy?
Aim for 3–6 months to get the color and fit just right. 8–10 weeks is still comfortable for a ready-to-ship suit or a rental. Under 8 weeks, choose ready-to-wear over fully custom and order right away.
Does the answer change for a tuxedo vs. a suit?
It can. A formal tuxedo is more single-purpose, so many people rent it. A suit in a versatile color is easy to wear again, so buying often makes more sense. It really comes down to how often you'll wear it.
Rental cost ranges reflect published 2025–2026 pricing, including Generation Tux and The Knot's 2025 Real Weddings Study (average ceremony-attire rental ~$205). Buy pricing reflects Kennedy Blue. Your costs will vary by style, fabric, and add-ons.
