The Black Tux has become a transformative player in the US formalwear industry, offering a premium online suit and tuxedo rental experience that brings together quality, convenience, and affordability for modern consumers and sellers. Through innovation and strategic partnerships, the company is shaping the future of occasion dressing.
How The Black Tux Works
The Black Tux streamlines the formalwear rental process through its user-friendly digital platform. Customers start by browsing a curated collection of tuxedos, suits, shirts, shoes, and accessories, selecting styles for weddings, proms, black-tie events, and galas. Orders are placed online or via the company’s showrooms, including Nordstrom partner locations, with virtual measurement tools and customer assistance available.
Rentals typically arrive 10–14 days before the event, providing ample time for fitting, try-on, and adjustments. The company’s proprietary fit technology assures that customers receive garments tailored to their specifications, with free exchanges allowed in case of sizing issues. Return is stress-free: each order comes with a prepaid shipping label, and dry cleaning is included.
The company’s model is designed for convenience, letting customers self-select their sizes, styles, and delivery, with extra support if they need swaps or help with group orders.
Ownership and Company Background
Founded in 2012 by Andrew Blackmon and Patrick Coyne in Santa Monica, California, The Black Tux was born out of their own frustration with traditional tuxedo rental stores. The company started in MuckerLab’s start-up accelerator, quickly gaining traction thanks to its design-first, quality-driven approach and innovative e-commerce strategy.
Today, The Black Tux operates as a privately held company, raising millions in venture capital and collaborating with Nordstrom and other partners to expand in-person showrooms and services. Its founders summarize their vision by wanting to overhaul the industry, solve the biggest pain points, and deliver the convenience, style, and quality modern customers expect.
Benefits for Consumers
- Quality and Style: The Black Tux partners with top suiting manufacturers and uses premium materials, delivering “the quality equivalent of a $1,200+ garment in a retail store,” including 100% merino wool suiting and real leather shoes.
- Convenience: Online booking, early delivery for try-on and swaps, and prepaid returns all provide stress-free rental experiences. Customers can complete the process entirely online or mix-and-match with in-person services at Nordstrom locations.
- Variety and Fit: Offering more than 25 styles for men’s suits and tuxes—plus shirts, shoes, ties, and accessories—customers can customize their looks for any occasion.
- Affordable Access: Rentals start at $95, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees, positioning The Black Tux as both cost-effective and premium.
Application for Sellers
The Black Tux partners with designers, dry cleaners, manufacturers, and universities to drive growth and expand its audience. Sellers and tailors benefit from a digital logistics platform, branded digital storefronts, and affiliate commissions. Recently, partnerships with Nordstrom have allowed The Black Tux to open shop-in-shops for additional reach.
Community collaborations with The Trevor Project, college affiliates, and event planners reflect the company’s commitment to inclusive business. Sellers gain logistical support and exposure via The Black Tux’s massive online footprint, making formalwear rental more efficient and rewarding.
Future Outlook
The US suit and tuxedo rental market is set to expand significantly, with e-commerce, sustainability, and personalized fit driving major growth. Experts estimate the rental sector could see double-digit CAGR through the end of the decade as next-gen consumers embrace the sharing economy
The Black Tux plans further investments in technology, new fit algorithms, expanded accessory offerings, and growing in-person partnerships to maintain leadership.
