Skip to Header Skip to Main Content Skip to Footer

The JFW Story

Jim's Formal Wear's Orginal StoreJim's Formal Wear's Orginal Store
Leo Davis standing behind the counter of Jim's Formal Wear
Jim's father, Leo Davis, in the Davis Family Clothing Store.

1922: Starting the
Family Business

Leo Davis standing behind the counter of Jim's Formal Wear
Jim's father, Leo Davis, in the Davis Family Clothing Store.

Leo Davis founded the Davis Family Clothing in Trenton, Illinois, a small city outside of St. Louis. Providing quality clothing and accessories for men and boys, Davis Family Clothing quickly became a modest success.


Jim Davis former CEO of Jim's Formal Wear
Jim Davis, the founder of Jim's Formal Wear

1954: Continuing
Leo's Legacy

Jim Davis former CEO of Jim's Formal Wear
Jim Davis, the founder of Jim's Formal Wear

After Leo's death, his son Jim takes over the store, renaming it Jim's Men's and Boys' Shop.

Jim, working with his brother, Allen, focus on providing their community with quality menswear products and excellent service at a fair price.


Sketch of Jim's Formal Wear store
JFW's first location

1964: Jim's Formal
Wear Launches

Sketch of Jim's Formal Wear store
JFW's first location

Responding to his customers' needs for quality formalwear rentals, Jim opened "Jim's Formal Wear". He purchased 200 black coats, 200 white coats, 600 formal shirts and a 900 square foot house near the men's store in downtown Trenton as a tuxedo distribution center. He and his wife, Betty, took orders on a pad by the house's kitchen phone. Doing business in a small town means that you really can't afford to lose one customer and they spent all their effort providing exceptional service and expanding their customer base.


Models in white and black tuxedos from Jim's Formal Wear
JFW Tuxedo Styles from the 1960's/1970's

1964-1970's:
A Family Affair

Models in white and black tuxedos from Jim's Formal Wear
JFW Tuxedo Styles from the 1960's/1970's

Jim and his family members take orders, hem sleeves and pants, and assemble tuxedo orders. They even deliver the orders from the back of the family station wagon! Their example established the company's culture of hard work and dedication to the customer.


Sketch of the Jim's Formal Wear service center in Trenton
Early JFW Distribution Center - Trenton, IL

1970's-1980's: Rapid Growth and Regional Expansion

Sketch of the Jim's Formal Wear service center in Trenton
Early JFW Distribution Center - Trenton, IL

Rapid growth occurs, due to the quality of Jim's inventory and the impressive customer service demonstrated by the Davis family and the JFW employees. During this time, JFW expands to seven regional service centers in six states.


Gary Davis former CEO of Jim's Formal Wear
Gary Davis

1984-2013: Taking
JFW Nationwide

Gary Davis former CEO of Jim's Formal Wear
Gary Davis

Jim's youngest son Gary and his wife June purchase Jim's Formal Wear. Under their guidance, they grew the business to over seven times its size by making acquisitions, improving infrastructure, and investing in the latest technologies.


Steve Davis current CEO of Jim's Formal Wear
Steve Davis, President and CEO

Today: Commitment to
our Humble Beginnings

Steve Davis current CEO of Jim's Formal Wear
Steve Davis, President and CEO

Currently, Gary's son (and Jim's grandson) Steve serves as President and CEO. There are seven strategically located service centers, and eight regional delivery hubs that comprise nearly 250,000 square feet of office, production and warehouse space. The company currently carries nearly 250,000 suits and tuxedos, employs 500 full time team members and staff, and hires an additional 250-300 seasonal employees for prom and wedding seasons. JFW takes pride in serving over 4,500 menswear stores, bridal shops, and other formalwear-related retailers throughout the country.


Jim's Formal Wear past logos
JFW logos through the years.

History of
the JFW Logo

Jim's Formal Wear past logos
JFW logos through the years.

Our promise to you is to provide quality suits and tuxedos with exceptional service at a fair price. It's the guiding principle behind JFW in our 60 years of experience and something we'll always believe in.