Suit Yourself
Ivette Manners
These days, the attention isn’t just on the blushing bride in her beautiful white gown – the handsome groom in his designer wear is also sharing the spotlight.
It may seem that men have always had far less options than their female counterparts when it came to wedding attire, but now there are many choices available for the groom and his groomsmen. High-end designers like Tommy Hilfiger, Oscar de la Renta, and Ralph Lauren are catering to the fashion conscious groom to make him feel special on his big day, too.
Although, the traditional black tuxedo is still the most popular choice for grooms as a part of formal weddings, more men are choosing to incorporate a more modern look for the special event.
One of the most common changes in the tuxedo is the disappearance of the bowtie. The regular suit tie in a dressier fabric, like silk, is en vogue. It gives a more casual appearance, while at the same time adding a sleek, elegant touch.
Double-breasted, and one- and two-button tuxedos have been the traditional choice of formal wear for years, but now the three- and four-button, single-breasted tuxedos are gaining popularity. These suits are more flattering to most male body types, and men like the unfussy cut. The jacket’s length is changing, as well. A typical formal tuxedo averages about 31 inches in length, but more contemporary tuxedo jackets measure to about 49 inches long. Keep in mind that the style and length of the tuxedo chosen depends upon many factors, such as the time, location, style, and tone of the wedding, as well as the groom’s build.
Coordinating a crisp, white tuxedo shirt with a silver-toned or pale blue tie is chic. Of course for the ultra formal affair, a white tie is the norm. The most popular colors for vests is still black or gray, but for those grooms who may want to incorporate more color into their attire, they can do so by matching their vests and ties with the color scheme of the wedding, usually complementing the bridesmaids dresses or bride’s bouquet. When it comes to choosing the fabric for the vests, grooms are going for a more matte fabric, as opposed to shiny or metallic. Whatever the color, fabric, or style choice, the main thing to keep in mind is that the tuxedo needs to coordinate with what the bride wears. In other words, the groom should look like Prince Charming, not like a Vegas-show host, next to his bride in her Cinderella-like gown.
No matter how great the tuxedo or suit, it needs to look fabulous on the groom not on the hanger, so proper fit is essential. This is where the tailor becomes the groom’s best friend. Let’s start at the top: The jacket’s collar should lay flat on the back and sides of the neck without any gaps or bulges, and the shoulders should hug perfectly. The sleeves should be hemmed to the wrist bone allowing half an inch of the shirt to show, and the bottom hem of the jacket should smoothly cover the bum. Also be sure that the jacket buttons up comfortable. Next up, the shirt should fit well at the neck, shoulders, and waist. Be sure that the vest’s buttons line up with the front of the jacket and that the vest fits well across the chest. Lastly, flat-front trousers are the most flattering (as opposed to pleated-front pants), and they should be hemmed to just over the tops of the shoes.
Comfortable fitting dress shoes should not be overlooked, especially since the groom will be expected to dance all night.
Groom’s Style Checklist
Now that your groom has picked out the perfect suit, he shouldn’t just roll out of bed and jump into the shower the day of the wedding. Here’s a quick checklist for primping your man for your nuptials:
Three months before the wedding, your groom should reserve or go shopping for his and his groomsmen’s tuxedos.
A month before the big event, he should schedule a final fitting and make sure all alterations are done.
Two days before the wedding, his tuxedo should be picked up and he should double check that his accessories, such as his shoes, tie, cuff links, and dress socks, are all accounted for.
The day before the wedding, your groom should get a haircut and manicure. This is a great excuse to get him to go to a day spa with you.