Who says brides get to have all the fun when it comes to wedding fashion? There’s much, much more personalization that goes into choosing a wedding suit than most people would assume.
Details like the suit’s cut, fit, and material need to be considered with extra care. The day a man ties the knot is, after all, one of the most important days of his life, and the suit he wears on that day will likely be one he remembers forever.
While black tuxedos have been the traditional men’s wedding attire for decades, many grooms-to-be are instead choosing to experiment with colors, silhouettes, and even patterns.
These days, there’s a lot of leeways for the modern groom to put together a suit that’s true to his personality.
Stumped on how to look your best on your special day? Need some advice on how to shop for the perfect wedding suit?
Below, we’ve put together some quick do’s and don’ts from the experts to get you started.
1. Do Think about Accessories
Accessories are small and often overlooked, with many grooms neglecting to even think about them until the very last minute. If you choose them well, however, they can be a great way to showcase your personality and bring a little fun factor to your outfit.
Consider USA made socks, bowties, or pocket squares in fun colors or patterns if you want to add a fresh pop of color to an otherwise understated suit.
Accessories can also do a lot to pull your overall look together. Cummerbunds, for instance, are a must at formal weddings to smooth out the waist area and create a clean silhouette.
Cufflinks polish your look and lend it an air of sophistication.
Whatever your wedding’s particular level of formality, don’t underestimate the power of a few thoughtful accessories to complete your ensemble.
2. Do Set Yourself Apart from Your Groomsmen
A big consideration when it comes to planning outfits for a wedding party is making sure the entire group looks cohesive.
This is usually done by matching the bridesmaids’ dresses to the groomsmen’s vests or ties, as well as using the same flowers and colors for the bouquets and boutonnieres.
Since it’s your day, however, you’ll definitely want to distinguish yourself from the rest of the entourage.
You can do this by choosing a different suit color from your groomsmen, or changing the color of particular smaller pieces like your own vest or tie.
You might also choose different flowers for your boutonniere to set yourself apart.
3. Do Consider Season and Venue
Be sure to take the time of year, venue, and projected weather into account when choosing your suit.
Dark colors and thick fabrics like velvet and heavy wools are perfect for winter, but they can look drab and out of place during the spring and summer.
In these warmer months, it makes sense to opt for cooler, breezier shades and materials, like linen suits in pale tan or gray.
The breathability of these lighter suits will be especially helpful if your ceremony and reception are going to be held outdoors.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Even if you aren’t looking for a bespoke suit, shopping for the perfect wedding attire can be overwhelming in its own way.
Many brides who opt to buy their dresses rather than have them made seek help from professional fashion consultants, and there’s no reason their grooms can’t do the same.
A menswear expert will have the necessary know-how to advise you on ideal fabric choices, proper sizing, compatible accessories, and other details.
They can make sure you look perfectly dashing from head to toe and save you a ton of stress in the process.
5. Don’t Skip the Alterations
If you’re buying a suit rather than having one made specifically to your measurements, you’ll probably want to have a tailor alter it at least a little.
While it’s an additional expense and a bit more work, we guarantee it will be worth it to have a suit that fits you perfectly.
After all, you’ll probably be photographed more on your wedding day than on any other day of your life. The last thing you want is for those photos to immortalize your too-short sleeves or awkwardly long pant legs.
6. Don’t Forget to Have Fun
Above all else, your wedding is meant to be a celebratory, joyful occasion. No matter how labor-intensive, stressful, and painstaking the preparations maybe, it’s just as important to make it fun for yourself.
Feel free to break rules and divert from tradition in ways that are meaningful for both you and your future spouse.
When you find ways to enjoy the process of shopping for your wedding suit, that element of delight will also be clearly reflected in your choice of attire.
Choose colors, patterns, and materials that you enjoy and feel good wearing, as those choices will help your personality shine through.
Wearing something you love will make your big day much more memorable than falling back on basic blacks just because.
Between the traditional black tuxedo and a plethora of many more modern options, grooms today are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to wedding attire.
Whatever you elect to wear on your big day, the only cardinal rule is to make sure your suit is well-fitted, comfortable, and personal.
After all, the better you feel, the better you’re sure to look.
