And Yes... There is a Real "Al" Behind Al's Formal Wear
Of all the questions from media, students at area schools and customers alike, the most common question asked is, "is there a real Al behind Al's Formal Wear?". The answer is yes! His name is Alan Gaylor and it was his vision and hard work that made Al's Formal Wear the tuxedo empire it is today.
From very humble beginnings and a dream to provide his family with a good future, Alan Gaylor, along with his wife Lillian, started a tuxedo shop at 712 McKinney in downtown Houston, Texas in the 1950s. The shop had 1,000 square feet of space with a dance studio overhead and a rent base of $200. Mr. Gaylor recalls at that time, a gentleman could be formally outfitted in a tuxedo for a total cost of $5.95.
As the years went by, the business continued to grow under Mr. Gaylor’s hard work and direction. He has successfully outfitted customers through many decades and fashion trends in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and now the 2000s. "Many of Al's Formal Wear customers have rented their prom and wedding tuxedos from us, as well as their tuxedos for their children and grandchildren's weddings," comments Mr. Gaylor.
Al's Formal Wear currently has over 100 stores located in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico, including their very successful Ascot Tuxedos division located in Dallas, Fort Worth, Victoria, San Antonio, Austin and Corpus Christi, Texas. Recently, Ascot Tuxedos adopted the Al's Formal Wear name in order to help consumers recognize the company association between both divisions and to emphasize to consumers that they could visit both for quality products and exceptional service.
Al's also has a wholesale division, Ascot Formal Wear, that supplies formalwear shops across the United States with tuxedos. Al's is honored to help support other family-owned and operated businesses.
Rounding out Al's services to consumers is CRDN of Greater Houston South, which specializes in restoring clothing and other fabric items damaged by fires and floods. More information can be found at www.alsformalwear.com/restoration.
After over 50 years of building a tuxedo empire for his children, Mr. Gaylor turned over the presidency to his son Stuart in 2001. This was a very defining moment in the history of the company and a very rewarding moment for Mr. Gaylor. Since Stuart took the reigns, the company has continued to flourish. Al's is currently building more stores in new markets and has plans for many more in the near future.
Although Mr. Gaylor handed over the presidency to Stuart, he is still acting Chief Executive Officer of Al’s Formal Wear and its many divisions. Weekdays, you’ll spot Mr. Gaylor in his office working on projects, attending company meetings, in the cleaning plant, at the distribution center and out at the stores, working closely with all of the employees that he warmly regards as the "Al's family."
"Our business from day one was built on providing excellent customer service and quality merchandise at affordable prices, and we continue to build our business on this premise today," states Mr. Gaylor.
So the next time you drive by an Al's Formal Wear location or see one of their commercials or company trucks, you’ll know the rich history behind the company and how one man was able to achieve his dream. And we hope that it puts a smile on your face and inspires you to know that dreams really do come true.
