Your wedding is a time to present your best self—which may mean a custom suit. Luckily, Charlottesville has plenty of options. There are national retailers Brooks Brothers, Jos. A. Bank, and Men’s Wearhouse. Or you can go the shop local route.
Eljo’s was opened in 1950 on the UVA Corner by two Wahoo brothers (Elliott and Joseph Hyman, hence the name). Trent Thurston, who now co-owns the shop with his father, Myles, recommends beginning the suit-buying process at least five weeks before the big day. Eljo’s prides itself on more traditional menswear, and prices range from $1,300 on up, depending on size and fabric (the shop has more than 1,500 swatches on hand).
Alton Lane has a strikingly similar origin—started in 2009 by two UVA/Darden grads. The store’s manufacturing process means it can promise a suit within two weeks, but you’ll still need time for fittings (store stylist Ali Taleb says most grooms start the process at least three months out). Prices range from $399 (for a “50/50 fabric”) to as high as $4,000 (seasonal or high-end fabrics). Alton Lane also offers wedding packages for outfitting the wedding party—groomsmen, bridesmaids, even the bride.
The Mens & Boys Shop is a 104-year-old Charlottesville institution. Co-owner Kyle Davis says a custom client should start the process at least two months before the wedding. Prices start at $895, again depending on size, fabric, and styling. Davis notes that grooms will often bring their partner along. It makes for a shared experience, he says, “and it’s always nice to have someone help with making decisions.”