Black Tie Event near Como, Italy

I hope someone has some personal knowledge on this subject. I do not, but I assume you can get just about anything upscale in Milan.

In a country like Italy showing up nude would be better than a rented tux. If you look around you can find one without spending a fortune. Don't go cheap, and having a tux in your wardrobe comes in handy. and get a real vest, not one of those half fronts. If you are smart you'll get one in ivory, which can be worn black or white tie. Get good quality buttons and cuff links, they will be noticed.

Twenty-five years ago when we did some cruising I carried my own tux but not any more. In my university days we always needed a tux several times a year.

I would contact the hotel for a reference to a rental shop. There will be one since Italians wear tuxes. I would go to a local tux rental here and have them measure you, take those numbers and translate into the metric system and send both to the rental. In all likely hood they will have a web site with a place to select the accessories. Plan to pick up the day before to check final fitting. Now you will look very local.

Perhaps contact whomever is hosting the event or the location management and ask for a referral?

I never rented a tux (my own one is in my closet), but if you are looking for rentals you could try googling "noleggio costumi" or "noleggio abiti da sera" adding the name of the city. Googling this way I found this service in a place relatively near Como, renting theatre costumes, and I would bet they can rent a tuxedo as well. Try writing them:

http://www.celestecostumi.it/

Please remember that in Europe a tuxedo is a "smoking". No responsibility please, I just found the place googling.

I would be concerned that renting a tux could mean spending a lot of time driving to remote places (if this place does not rent tuxedos, probably you will have to look in Milan), and possibly having to go there three times (one for taking measures, one for renting, one for returning).

Cernobbio is the home of the Hotel Villa d'Este, and I bet the concierge there can be of assistance to you. If you are staying there, request a room in the main hotel, not the Queen's annex to save you from walking in the summer heat. Milan is a very short train ride away and I'm sure there are rentals, but it will be a multi trip project. Another alternative if you don't want to buy a tux is to rent one in the USA and take with you which will eliminate all the stress of renting in Italia.

One of my favorite restaurants is in Blevio, directly across the lake from Cernobbio at the ferry stop. Lovely outdoor terrace on the lake. For the life of me I am blanking on the name, but I'm sure you can Google for it. Not overrun with tourists, and the food is excellent with a view back to the Hotel Villa d'Este. (If you have a chance, take a trip to Tivoli and see the original palazzo and gardens of the Villa d'Este - one of the most beautiful places to enjoy the day with gorgeous frescoes inside and amazing fountains outside.)

Have a great time!
Catherine