When it comes to wedding formal wear for your groom and his groomsmen, it all depends on you. Literally. Your bridal gown sets the standard of formality for their apparel. If your dress is formal, theirs should be, too.
Another consideration for wedding formal wear is timing. If you plan a daytime wedding, the men in your wedding party can be more casually attired. Of course, with the term ”casual,” it’s a question of gradation, not black tie versus Bermuda shorts.
Despite the stereotype that most of us have when it comes to wedding formal wear, today’s tuxedos aren’t usually stiff, tight or uncomfortable. They come in a range of fabrics and designs that “breathe,” drape well and allow easy movement. Although you can get tuxedos in several colors, including white and gray, traditional black is always in style and remains the dominant choice for American grooms.
Wedding Formal Wear: The Suit
Your first decision is which jacket to choose, and there are three basic tuxedo styles from which to choose. The most popular has a notched lapel and is single-breasted. A popular variation is the shawl cut collar, which is rounded and isn’t notched. A third, the peaked jacket, has a broad lapel that comes to the collar line and points up and out. Variations can include double-breasted designs, jacket vents, pocket and button numbers and styling, multi-layered lapels, and formal tails. There’s no shortage of choices when it comes to formal wear for your wedding, and it truly comes down to your personal preferences.
Wedding Formal Wear: The Accessories
Once you’ve decided on the suit, you should consider the many formal wear accessories that exist. It’s these small details that create impact and set your groom’s overall style. Accessories can include ties, vests, cummerbunds, shoes and jewelry.
Vests have overtaken cummerbunds in popularity because they don’t ride up one’s waist. A growing trend in wedding formal wear is the full-backed vest, which lets your groom remove his jacket at the wedding reception while still looking well dressed.
Wedding Formal Wear: Terms to Know
Here are some of the terms related to formal wear you’ll need as you outfit your groom and his attendants for your wedding:
- Ascot: A scarf-like tie looped below the chin and worn with a cutaway coast.
- Boutonniere: A small floral arrangement worn on the jacket’s left lapel.
- Braces: Suspenders worn to hold the pants up when a cummerbund is used.
- Cummerbund: A pleated waistcover worn instead of a vest. The pleats face upward, and the color usually matches the tie’s.
- Cutaway: The black or gray formal coat for daytime weddings, it has long, squared-off tails and is worn with striped pants.
- Double-breasted: A jacket with overlapping lapels and buttons that pull the facing across.
- Opera Pumps: Patent leather slip-on shoes.
- Pocket Square: A small, dressy handkerchief worn in the upper left jacket pocket in lieu of a boutonniere.
- Single-breasted: Jacket whose lapels meet at the front.
- Stroller: Black or gray walking coat worn with striped pants at formal daytime or afternoon weddings.
- Studs: Formal wear shirt fasteners that are considered and sold as jewelry.
- White Tie: Also called “full dress,” it’s the most formal evening wear.
- Winged Collar: A formal stand-up shirt collar with tips folded downward.
Understanding the many options and related terms above will better prepare you during your search for the perfect wedding formal wear.