After Hours Formal Wear

It used to be called Gingiss. After last year’s visit, I’d call it a rip-​off. I think I understand how most of these formal places work. They are minimally staffed to accommodate the occasional business. Then there’s a spike in business around prom and wedding season. That’s when they put up their velvet rope obstacle course and herd in the pimply-​faced teenagers to take their money.
They keep fashions current and a mutlitude of choices, but unless you want a cheap suit feel, you’ll pay a fortune for a rental. For a black-​tie event, be ready to spend $ 150 or more easily.
Last year (2007) I had the last of this place when I came in one afternoon. There was only 1 person working and he had a really long phone call and 1 more customer in front of me. It seemed I waited almost as long as it took me to get fitted and do the paperwork. Almost an hour later, I was done and felt I wasted my time there.
I picked up my tuxedo. Then on the day of the event, I unpacked it and found 2 of the button studs missing. I got by without them, but then I read the ominous note about a penalty for losing the «jewelry.» I came after the event to return the tux and found myself behind an entire wedding party all getting fitted by 2 very hectic employees struggling to help, pausing every so often to answer more phone calls. After about 15 minutes, the woman took the tux and before I told her about the missing studs, she put it away in back and waved me off to attend to the pressing matter at hand. I was thinking for what I was paying, Id expect better service… why not just buy a tux and skip all this bull$&^t.
I never got charged for the missing studs nor do I think they cared at all. I didn’t care about them either, so the feeling was mutual. After returning the tux, I left Harlem-​Irving Plaza thinking «Good riddance.»