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Good grooming
Just because you are getting married, does not mean you have to wear full morning suit, complete with frock coat (unless you want to, of course). There are various different options to choose from, from a more casual lounge suit to the most formal option of black tie. What you opt for will depend on the sort of wedding you are having, but, rest assured, it is not what you wear that matters, but how you wear it. If you feel like a penguin in coat tails you will not pull the look off. Similarly, if a stylishly crumpled linen suit is not your thing, you will probably just look . . . crumpled. Suits can look heavenly or horrible, depending on the cut and the fit. Make sure you get good advice from the hire shop, if renting your outfit, or from your tailor if you are having your outfit made. If you are buying from a high street shop, a good rule to remember is that suit trousers should break on the second eyelet of lace-up shoes and your jacket arm should show a half-inch of cuff. On the next pages are different styles you can choose from to wear on your wedding day. Morning suit This is still the most popular suit for grooms, as it is still fairly formal and is flattering to most figures, looking great in those all important wedding snaps. The term ‘morning suit’ comes from the days when weddings always happened in the morning and were followed by a wedding breakfast. A morning suit typically consists of a blue, black or grey tailcoat with matching plain or pinstriped trousers, a white wing-collared shirt, a waistcoat, a cravat and top hat and gloves (held but not worn). Black tie If you are after a suave ‘James Bond’ look, black tie might be your top choice. However, you should be aware that it tends to be worn at weddings that take place later in the day, or for formal receptions, such as a summer ball. Black tie consists of a black, single- or double-breasted dinner jacket with ribbed silk lapels. The trousers should be tapered and able to carry braces. Underneath, you should wear an evening shirt in either cotton or silk, with a pleated front and a soft, turned-down collar. The bow tie should, obviously, be black and made of silk. Cummerbunds are often worn but you could opt for a waistcoat and matching handkerchief instead, which has the added benefit of giving some colour and individuality to the outfit. Lounge suits Lounge suits are fast becoming popular choices for grooms who want to be less formal. You can make a real statement by co-ordinating the colours of your shirt and/or tie with the wedding colour theme. This brightens up the day and makes photos more distinctive. A good pair of leather shoes finishes off the look, but avoid mixing browns with blacks; they just don’t go. If you choose a lounge suit, it might be worth the expense of having one tailor-made. Not only will you look a million dollars on the day, you will also be able to wear it afterwards, making it a good investment. Mr Cool The least formal outfit you could get away with is a linen suit. Some of these, if worn with the right sort of shirt (e.g. one with a granddad collar) do not need a tie. These suits, naturally, are a popular choice for beach weddings or those taking place abroad in a hotter climate. One word of warning though: linen does crease easily (some say that is part of its charm). Choosing a linen blend might be more practical and keep the crinkles away a while longer. A light-coloured shirt keeps you looking cool, while a black one will make the outfit slightly smarter. Accessorise! It is not just brides who can have fun with accessories. There is a wide variety of common extras that men can add to their outfits to make a real statement on their wedding day. Waistcoats The modern waistcoat normally has six or seven buttons and a couple of small pockets, particularly handy for storing essentials such as wedding rings. They are a fun way of adding interest and a splash of colour to a standard dark suit. Just make sure it fits properly; it should completely cover the top of your trousers and not allow any shirt to be seen. You can adjust it with the small back strap at the back to make it tighter or looser but do not treat it as a corset as it will feel uncomfortable and look ridiculous when it rides up!
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