In DC, Rash of Wary Tux Renters Ahead of Inaugural

Uninitiated DC men are scrambling to procure tuxedos for the inauguration, and they, luckily, have a few seasoned resources, the Washington Post reports. While inveterate ball-goers frequent Brooks Brothers and such, a younger class of invitees is flocking to the capital’s rental shops, where veteran tailors calm their jitters. “It will be a band tie,” one said. “Unless you would prefer to tie your own.” No, no, no.

Many young bucks in Washington haven’t donned a penguin suit since prom, and are seeking a low profile—even if they don’t know it. One renter requested a bolo tie to go with his tux, only to put the kibosh on the choice days later. “My friend,” he said in a call to the shop, “my wife just told me she would kill me if I came in that.” Not that it’s always been out of the question. “Four, eight years ago it would have been okay,” the tailor said. (More Barack Obama stories.)