Even if you’re not walking the red carpet at the Oscars, chances are you’ll be called upon to wear a tuxedo at some point—whether for prom, a wedding, a gala, or another special occasion. While renting was once the norm, more men today are choosing to invest in their own tux. And contrary to popular belief, buying one doesn’t have to break the bank.
Fortunately, a number of companies now offer accessible options. In California—particularly in and around Los Angeles—Perfect Tux is worth a look. Founded in 2016 and based in Santa Clarita, the Black-owned business is operated by husband-and-wife team Steven and Natasha Burton.
Specializing in formalwear for men and boys, Perfect Tux caters to weddings, proms, and special events, offering a wide range of styles—from modern and classic to more distinctive looks—available for both purchase and rental.
After learning more about the company, I wanted a closer look at the person behind it. I reached out to co-founder Steven Burton, who spent nine years in the formalwear industry before launching the business.
MICHELE: You spent nine years in the formalwear industry before starting your own business. What drew you to formalwear in the first place?
STEVEN: Honestly, it was just a job I fell into while pursuing a music career. I’m a gold selling songwriter and did a lot of music licensing, and to pay the bills I was working in the formalwear industry. At the time I had no idea I would eventually start a business in this space. But that experience ended up being very valuable. It allowed me to build relationships in the industry and see firsthand the challenges customers were facing when trying to buy formalwear online. That insight eventually helped shape the idea behind Perfect Tux.
MICHELE: Why did you decide to settle in Santa Clarita?
STEVEN: I was already living in Santa Clarita when I launched the business, which at the time was strictly e-commerce. When the opportunity came to open the Perfect Tux store, I didn’t want to deal with a long commute and I also wanted to be close to my kids’ school since they were just starting elementary. Santa Clarita is also a great city. It’s the third largest city in Los Angeles County and continues to grow, so there’s a lot of opportunity here.
MICHELE: What are the current trends in tuxedos? Does the traditional tuxedo still lead?
STEVEN: The traditional black tuxedo is still the foundation and will probably never go out of style, especially for weddings and black tie events. But we’re seeing a lot more personality in formalwear today. Velvet jackets, ivory dinner jackets, textured fabrics, and different color options have become very popular. A lot of people want their look to stand out a little more while still keeping that classic formal feel.
MICHELE: Do customers tend to rent or buy their tuxedos?
STEVEN: We just started offering rentals in store, and most people still think “rental” when they hear tuxedo. But many customers are surprised when they learn what purchase options look like today and how competitive the prices can be. So it really goes both ways. For very basic looks people often rent, especially for one night events. But when someone cares about style, color options, or getting the fit exactly right, they tend to lean toward purchasing.
MICHELE: What is your number one tuxedo in terms of popularity?
STEVEN: Our ivory tuxedo jacket is one of our most popular pieces year round. It’s especially big for weddings. A lot of grooms want something classic but slightly different from the traditional black tuxedo, and ivory gives them that elevated look while still feeling timeless.
MICHELE: Much of business today happens online, yet you maintain a showroom boutique. Do you still value the personal contact with clients?
STEVEN: Absolutely. Even though online shopping has grown a lot, customers still want to touch and feel a garment, especially when they’re spending good money on something important like a wedding or prom outfit. The feedback we constantly get from customers in stores reminds us how much people value that personal interaction. It also gives us the chance to learn more about what customers are looking for and what matters most to them.
MICHELE: How do you select your collections, and where do they mostly come from?
STEVEN: We work closely with several vendors that specialize in formalwear. Over the years we’ve built strong relationships with them, and that allows us to give input on styles, colors, and trends we think customers are going to respond to. Sometimes we’re selecting from their current collections, and other times we’re suggesting ideas based on what we see customers asking for. The brand focuses on helping customers “dress to perfection” for various events.
MICHELE: Perfect Tux is a husband-and-wife business. Do each of you have specific roles within the company?
STEVEN: Yes, we definitely divide responsibilities. Natasha runs the retail side of the business. She has a background managing luxury clothing stores for many years, so she’s great with visual merchandising and running the showroom experience. I handle the CEO role and focus mainly on the e-commerce side of the business, marketing, and the overall strategy for the company.
With that being said Otis Stokes, President of Hollywood Beauty Awards chose to follow Steven and Natasha Burton’s suggestion and will be wearing one of their famous tux Jacquet on the red carpet at the 11th Hollywood Beauty Awards on April 10, 2026. If you have the need for a special event, do not hesitate and check out Perfect Tux’s website. I am certain you will find exactly what you are looking for from head to toe.
Perfect Tux
23300 Cinema Drive
Suite 108
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
