Laughing Fish in Oklahoma City: Formal Wear for Men Beyond the Chain Store

Laughing Fish is a men's formal wear and suiting specialist located in Oklahoma City that stocks designer and contemporary brands at price points above mall retailers but below full-bespoke tailoring. The shop carries dress shirts, ties, pocket squares, cufflinks, and ready-to-wear and made-to-measure suits from lines not found at department stores.

What Laughing Fish actually is

Laughing Fish operates as a curated menswear boutique focused on formal occasion dressing. It is neither a department store anchor nor a custom bespoke tailor, but occupies the middle ground: ready-made inventory in multiple sizes and a made-to-measure program for customers seeking precision fit without the six-month turnaround and five-figure price tags of true bespoke. The shop sources from brands positioned between fast-fashion formalwear and luxury European houses.

Services and pricing

The store carries inventory suits ranging from approximately $300 to $800 for ready-to-wear stock. Made-to-measure suits start around $600 and run to $1,200 depending on fabric selection and complexity. Dress shirts in inventory run $60 to $150; made-to-measure shirts begin at $120. Accessories (ties, cufflinks, pocket squares) range from $25 to $200. Alterations on purchased items are available; confirm current pricing on alterations when you visit, as labor rates shift seasonally.

The made-to-measure process involves an initial consultation (no charge) where a tailor measures and discusses fabric, lapel style, button count, and lining options. Customers place a deposit at order (typically 50 percent of the final price) and return for a fitting approximately four weeks later. Final payment is due upon completion.

How Laughing Fish compares to other Oklahoma City options

For ready-made formal wear under $500, department stores like Dillard's and Macy's at Penn Square Mall and Crossroads Mall stock brands such as Calvin Klein and Izod at lower price points but narrower style selection and less personalized fitting assistance. Laughing Fish carries designer-adjacent lines (such as Ted Baker or Bonobos) unavailable at department stores, and staff can discuss proportions and silhouette in ways mall store clerks typically cannot.

For made-to-measure at lower entry points, menswear chains like Men's Wearhouse offer made-to-measure starting around $400, with faster turnaround (two to three weeks). Their process is highly standardized; Laughing Fish offers more fabric variety and atypical customization requests (unconventional pocket placement, special linings, button upgrades). Choose Wearhouse if you need a suit in under three weeks or prioritize the lowest possible price; choose Laughing Fish if you want fabric choice and fit precision without full bespoke cost.

For bespoke tailoring at the luxury end, Oklahoma City has independent tailors and custom shirtmakers who will execute any design at costs starting $1,500 for a suit. Laughing Fish serves customers who want designer-quality construction and materials without custom design iteration or bespoke pricing.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Laughing Fish suits men attending weddings, business events, galas, or job interviews who own one or two suits and want fit and fabric that reflect investment without full custom tailoring. It suits professionals who wear suits multiple times yearly and know their style preferences. It suits customers willing to wait four weeks for made-to-measure in exchange for precise fit.

It does not suit men needing a suit within two weeks (department stores and Wearhouse are faster), those on sub-$300 budgets (discount retailers like Men's Wearhouse and outlet chains undersell it), or men seeking fully bespoke design consultation and unlimited revision cycles.

What the first visit involves

Walk-ins are welcome for browsing inventory and trying on ready-made stock. If you are interested in made-to-measure, staff will book a consultation appointment; same-day consultations are often available but not guaranteed. Bring an idea of the occasion (wedding, business formal, black-tie) and any style preferences (slim vs. classic cut, notch vs. peak lapel, color preferences). The tailor will guide you through fabric swatches and fit options. Expect the consultation to last 30 to 45 minutes. You will leave with a quote and timeline.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Laughing Fish operates Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday by appointment. Street parking is available near the storefront; no dedicated lot. The shop is located in a walkable area of Midtown Oklahoma City and is accessible via public transit. Call ahead if visiting on Sunday or if you need an extended appointment time.

Laughing Fish fills a specific niche: customers who reject both mall-store anonymity and bespoke expense, and who have time to wait for made-to-measure precision. For that audience, it is the only Oklahoma City option.