Glory Tuesday

It is almost a rite of passage for men: the first time they have to get a tuxedo rental . It may be for a prom or other formal dance or it could be for a wedding or special event. Whatever the reason, there are a few things that men should keep in mind when choosing a tux to rent.

There are numerous formal wear shops available in most communities. Some will offer their catalog online and allow guys to reserve a specific suit via the web before coming in for a fitting and pickup. Renters should look for a shop that regularly updates their inventory, to ensure that the newest fashions and styles are available. If the inventory seems stuck in the 1980s or even earlier, then it’s highly unlike they will have suitable tuxedos for contemporary events.

Dealers should have the appropriate accessories in stock. In addition to the tuxedo itself, they should supply cummerbunds or waistcoat,s cuff links, and bow ties. Shops get extra points for having additional accessories like suspenders or shoes.

Stores should take exact measurements and provide an advance fitting. This means that staff should be able to properly measure waist, jacket size, and inseam. Online dealers should provide specific instructions for obtaining measurements, but will still provide a custom fitting before the event.

One last caveat: some sales staff seem to think they are the ultimate arbiters of style. A good dealer will listen to the customers needs and preferences, remembering that the tux should suit the renter’s personal style above all else.

It usually starts with one momentous acquisition. Perhaps it is an old london map that your great grandfather brought back from a business trip to England. Or it could be a handful of road maps that catch your eye at a swamp meet. Whatever it may be, it will forever be known as the first map that you fell in love with, and, as such, become the first map in your collection.

Not every map lover decides to start a collection . They may be able to simply enjoy and appreciate maps as they encounter them in their day to day life without feeling the urge to possess them. However, what usually happens is that one map becomes two which then leads to a third — maybe without you even realizing it. And one day your assortment of maps refuses to fit in the file drawer or over-sized cabinet that had served as makeshift storage before your interest became an actual hobby.

There may be some map collectors out there who see maps as just another product to be acquired and then sold when their value goes up. You are not one of these people. To you even the simplest map of the world is something to be cherished and treasured and revisited time and time again. Unless it is hanging in a public museum, in order to revisit it, you’re going to need to own it. And that is how your love of maps turned you into a full-fledged collector.