Summer 2017 Wedding Style Guide

Within the last decade, we saw an influx of narrow notched lapels, low-rise trousers, and the striking away of accessories in men’s suiting. While that was well received, fashion tends to make a full circle and history repeats itself this summer in a beautiful manner. There is a great emphasis this year on revisiting classical styles and paying homage to the rich history of menswear. This wedding season is inspired by the timeless elegance of the past combined with the current adoption of slimmer silhouettes and the greater accessibility to stunning fabrics.

The Groom

The suiting style of choice prominently depends on the type and setting of the wedding the couple is hosting. If a wedding is hosted in the evening with a black tie dress code, then one will have to adhere to the respective style etiquettes and darker colours. Conversely, a wedding located outdoors in a warm climate will need to be approached with lighter, in both colour and weight, fabrics and breathable construction choices.

A tuxedo is perfect for evening weddings as it is one of the most formal options which flatters all body types - if fitted correctly. Whilst variations are plentiful and many details can be left to the choice of the groom, a “true” tuxedo is mainly defined by the following characteristics:

- Black or midnight blue in colour.

- Single breasted with one button or double-breasted.

- The lapel must be made of satin and must be peaked or a shawl collar.

- The trousers must have no belt loops on the waist and are characterized by a satin braid down the side of each leg.

- The jacket must have jetted pockets and double-vents.

- Worn with a bow-tie and white pocket square.

Paired with either a waistcoat or a cummerbund.

- Finished off with patent leather slippers.

With the resurgence of inspiration from the past, velvet jackets and dinner jackets are in high demand as well - although surprising, due to their innate elegance. With such a choice, one has greater flexibility in terms of colour as well as in accessorizing and injecting personal flavour into their look.

The look featured above on the left incorporates a velvet jacket in a rich burnt orange shade with wide peaked satin lapels. The white silk pocket square is kept conservative by its square-fold and subtle sliver appearance in the breast pocket. The look featured above on the right is a great example of bending the rules in a tasteful way. The red silk pocket square and the large velvet bow-tie juxtaposed with the cut of the larger lapels is a very stylish and unique take on the tuxedo. The cummerbund is also unique in that it features buttons rather than the common clasp closure.

The above tuxedo incorporates wide peak lapels with a low U-shaped waistcoat paired with a velvet bow-tie and black pocket square. The dinner jacket on the lower left is in a cerulean velvet fabric paired with black trousers and patent leather slippers - a dashing and daring look. The ensemble on the lower right features a double-breasted salmon dinner jacket in velvet and black bow-tie and trousers.

Outdoor weddings, as stated earlier, must require suits to be constructed in breathable fabrics such as linen and seersucker. These fabrics allow for the easy passage of air through them, thus keeping one’s body cool. Linen suits can be either single breasted or double-breasted; however, if one chooses the single breasted option, it is recommended that they opt for a three-piece due to its heightened formality. For seersucker, the blue/white stripe and blue/black stripe are wedding appropriate (and stylish).

A double-breasted cream suit looks elegant, refined, and quite masculine. This can be attested to by the soft shoulders and personalized tailoring of the jacket to the groom’s body type and shape. The tie, shirt, and pocket square are anchored down in the colour blue but their variations allow them to interplay harmoniously together.

The above options show some of the many possibilities one may have when constructing a suit with linen fabrics. The subtle pattern such as that of the tan suit on the left adds a great level of depth to the look, giving the suit life and character. Once again, the tie, shirt, and pocket square are all blue yet their shades and patterns are in harmony. The wide peaked lapels surely are a classic touch, but one does have the liberty of opting for notched lapels.

This three-piece seersucker suit is in a black/white stripe fabric paired with simple details such as a solid black tie and black shoes. This is because seersucker is already perceived to be a ‘loud’ suit choice that any other patterns or pops of colour would be rendered as clashing.

Regarding the Groomsmen

The groomsmen's suits must similarly reflect the suiting choice of the groom. The less enforced the dress code is, the more possibilities there are in terms of groom and groomsmen suiting combinations. If the wedding is enforced by a “black tie” dress code, then the groomsmen must also appear in tuxedos. The same applies to any other dress code. It is also important to have the spotlight remain on the groom. Thus, if the groom is wearing a double breasted shawl collar tuxedo, then the groomsmen may be dressed in single breasted shawl collar tuxedos. As well as if the wedding is on a beach, then the groom may wear a three-piece linen suit and the groomsmen may wear two-piece linen suits. It is crucial for the groom to possess a characteristics which none of the groomsmen have.

Regarding the Guests

Adhering to the same principles and styles as per the groom and groomsmen, the guests must be aware of the dress code and make their choices appropriately. It is important to show up looking your best but not so that people confuse you for the groom. If you are young or if the dress code is not enforced, then opting for a suit rather than a tuxedo would be acceptable.

The key is to look and feel your best - it comes down to what is most flattering on your specific body type, what piques your interest, and what you find alluring and aesthetically pleasing. It is exciting to see menswear travel down this path this year as the possibilities are endless and all are equally unique in their own regards.

Congratulations to the Grooms of 2017!