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Suit Up! 8 Style Tips for the Groom

Suit Up! 8 Style Tips for the Groom

While there may be less fanfare around the groom’s attire, what he wears is important! (And let’s face it, his look needs to stack up to the specialness of you in The Dress.)

Hand your guy these wedding style tips for men and he’ll steer clear of bad suit tailoring and stiff rentals, and make his own lasting mark.

1. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

Most important: Look and feel like yourself. “Your wedding day isn’t the time to make an unexpected sartorial statement,” says Dan Rookwood, the United States editor of MrPorter.com. Avoid overly trendy items like collar bars, skinny ties, or satin cravats—unless they’re a signature part of your everyday style.

2. Go for Tried-and-True Colors

No one ever regretted walking down the aisle in gray, tan, navy, or black. These shades are universally slimming, photograph well, and won’t clash with the bridal party—whether they’re wearing hot pink or cool blue.

3. Wear the Right Weight

Cooler weather calls for heftier fabrics like wool or cashmere, but if you’re getting married in the summer or where it’s hot and humid, light fabrics like linen, khaki, and seersucker are a must. “Just be sure to keep the fit slim,” says New York City stylist Mark Holmes. Bulky or billowy lightweight textiles look sloppy and informal.

4. Diamonds are Forever—White Button-Ups Aren’t

“The best white shirt is a new one,” says Rookwood. Spring for a cotton poplin spread-collar version with French cuffs, or mother-of-pearl buttons. For a custom option that doesn’t require any fittings, SuitSupply.com offers a range of cuts and fabrics starting at $149.

5. Suit Yourself

The perfect cut for a former linebacker is unlikely to work for the lead singer of an indie band. Wide lapels tend to flatter the former (Tom Ford makes a great version), while the latter looks best in a narrower silhouette (YSL is a good option). “Most of us are somewhere in the middle,” says Holmes, who likes Burberry London’s cut.

6. Give Groomsmen a Bro (Dress) Code

Your best friends aren’t clones, and it’s unlikely they’ll feel comfortable in the same suits. Instead, set clear standards for elegant variation—like asking everyone to come in a black tux or navy suit—and add a cohesive accessory, such as a matching tie or pocket square, says Rookwood. One note: Shirts and shoes should coordinate, so be specific about the color for each.

7. Know the Bottom Line on the Bottom Button

The lower button of a two- or three-button suit is always left undone. Read that again—it’s a fact that’s easy to forget, yet never changes. “If it’s a one-button suit, do it up,” says Rookwood. “If it’s a four-button … you might want to consider a different choice for this occasion.”

8. Carry a Suit Tailoring Cheat Sheet

It’s the fit that makes the suit. Here’s what to ask for when it comes to alterations.

  • A jacket that nips at the waist, but doesn’t pull on the button.
  • A shirt cuff that peeks a quarter-inch below your jacket sleeve when arms are down.
  • Pants that graze the shoelaces.

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