Top Hat & Tails: Prom Perfection & Beyond

To quote the lyrical wordsmiths that are ZZ Top: “Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man!” and you’d be hard pressed to find a place in town that dresses ‘em any sharper than on Springfield Avenue:

“We really dress every man,” says manager Brian Berry. “From the youngest of tuxedo- or suit-wearing guys to older men who’ll just send in their daughters or wife with their measurements."

Since opening in town seven years ago — — Top Hat & Tails has been bringing international style to local shoppers.

“We carry nearly fifteen different labels,” says Berry. “We also do special orders and custom outfits by request – we can outfit anyone for any occasion.” And he means it. “We’ve had everything from Sweet Sixteens to every other formal event you can think of – we’ve even had guys come in to get outfitted from the Philharmonic.”

Of course right now they’re smack dab in the middle of Prom and Weddings, the soirees of the season. “It gets busy to the point where (Kinard, the owner ) and I work eighteen hour days,” explains Berry. “But we pride ourselves in offering such attentive customer service that our customers never have to wait more than five minutes.”

The afternoon I was in, one such customer was a ridiculously dashing Rupert Riley Muson, who was getting the finishing touches and final fitting on his very first tuxedo. The occasion? “I’m wearing it for my seventh birthday,” beamed Muson. “I’m having a ‘Velvet Rope’ party!”

Not a tad over the top once you realize his mother is of – creative concocter of confections and all things party planning:

 “Whenever we’ve walked past this store, Rupert’s begged to get a tux,” explains Himmelein. “He’s the sort of fellow who’s always embraced  occasions that call for formal wear – he even works ties into his elementary school wardrobe. So instead of having a dress up party I thought why not play with the concept of ‘dressing up’? The kids will be wearing whatever they feel is festive – I’m expecting to see everything from shorts  and t-shirts to tiaras!”

Judging from the pint-sized party boy’s reaction to his dapper reflection, the event's sure to be a success. “I love the bowtie,”exclaimed Rupert. "It’s really soft! I’m so excited to dance with my friends!”

Adorable eye-candy aside, there’s even something in it for the ladies: "We’ve actually had a number of women coming in this season to get fitted for tuxes,” reports Brain. One such woman, Cynthia Sims, was in finalizing the fit for her fetching ensemble with a powder blue vest.

“My son is going to his 8th Grade prom,” she explained. “Right away, I said ‘I’m your chauffer!’ – I sprang for the tux because I wanted him to enjoy the full experience – not only because he’s a great kid, but because he’s an honor roll student!”

Top Hat & Tails is the perfect sort of place where such dreams are realized – in short – it really does provide the ideal fit for any celebration.  The staff also seems to sincerely enjoy knowing that in addition to alterations they’re making memories, too.

So when you’re ready for your ‘Bond, James Bond’ moment, Brian, Horace, David and Chante are ready, willing and able to make it happen: TOP HAT & TAILS - 1856 Springfield Avenue Maplewood, NJ 07040 Tel:  973.275.0080

*From Friday 6/17 until Monday 6/20 you can enjoy the store’s ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ celebration in honor of Father’s Day. Offer good on EVERYTHING in the store!*