Black Business Month Spotlight: Formals By Vince

Vincent Raffington is the owner and CEO of Formals by Vince, a Tallahassee mainstay since 2010. Formals by Vince have long been recognized in Tallahassee and the surrounding areas for providing classic and contemporary formal wear. Vincent Raffington began his career in men’s formal wear in 1986 under Sacino’s Formalwear in St. Petersburg, FL. Vincent moved his family to the Tallahassee area in 1990 as part of the Sacino’s Formalwear family. He and his staff have outfitted thousands of customers over his thirty-year career in the formal wear industry.

In 2010, Vincent seized the opportunity to control his future and became the owner of Formals by Vince. In September 2018, Formals by Vince relocated to the Governor’s Square Mall where Vince and his staff continue to provide their customers with friendly and personalized service. They take the time to listen and understand the wants and needs of their customers. Vince has learned throughout his career that when you connect well with the heart-beating people you’re trying to help, you are able to communicate your understanding of their vision back to them, resulting in a satisfied customer.

Formals by Vince provides a diverse array of tuxedo offerings from the world’s best designers. In addition, Formals by Vince continues to serve the community by providing tuxedoes to many worthwhile organizations in the area such as graduating seniors at Gretchen Everhart School and to young men at Boys Town North Florida.

Vince also works closely with the young men preparing for the Tallahassee Links’ Beautillion. He provides hands-on instruction on how to tie bowties and other formal wear skills as a part of enriching their preparation for life. Formals by Vince also provide tuxedoes for the Charmettes and numerous other civic and social organizations.

Vince has been married to his high school sweetheart, LaTanya, for almost 35 years. They have two daughters, Varisia and Gerica Raffington; and one granddaughter, Tristyn.