Dressing the Groom & Choosing a Tuxedo
Choosing the right clothes for the groom is just as important as choosing the dress. A well tailored suit or tuxedo is the most popular choice for every type of wedding except the most casual.
Not all tuxedos are the same, and choosing one that will flatter the groom is vital. To help you choose, see our tips below for bringing a style for the men together and for choosing the right style of suit for different body types.
Tuxedo or Not?
While it remains the most popular choice for most weddings, a formal tuxedo can look out of place in some situations. Many destination weddings take place on the beach or in outdoor locations where this kind of formality may not be suitable.
For such weddings, lighter coloured fabrics, light grey or perhaps even cream or white, in cool crease-resistant fabrics look great. However the shapes that work still depend on the groom's physique and are the same whether or not the clothes are formal.
Coordinating the Men
For formal weddings, the male members of the wedding party should dress in a similar style to the groom, but not identically.
A deservedly popular approach is for the groom to wear a neutral coloured tie, cummerbund or vest/waistcoat while the groomsmen wear the same style tuxedo or suit but use accessories (buttonholes, ties, cummerbunds) in colours that coordinate with the bridesmaids dresses.
Choosing Right Suit
This depends very much on the groom's frame. The guidelines below will help you to choose the best one for you.
Tall & Slim Grooms
These lucky grooms can carry off fashionable 5 button jackets or double breasted suits with ease. Higher necklines emphasise a long upper body and can look wonderful.
If you are on the thin side, add shoulder pads and a cummerbund in a contrasting colour to add upper body definition.
Tall & Broad Grooms
Go for a shawl collar and a deep V, it will make your upper body look longer. Trousers with a subtle stripe are slimming and help avoid a blocky look and darker suits are often the best choice.
Avoid a cummerbund at all costs.
Short & Slim Grooms
Tailoring is key, especially choose a very well crafted jacket, 2 or 3 button works best. Pleated trousers are good and if a cummerbund is chosen it should not be deep and one in a complimentary shade works best.
Black or very dark suits are best avoided, white is good for summer weddings or any paler shade of grey.
Short & Stocky Grooms
Shoulder pads make the waist look smaller, as does a deep V neckline. Avoid pleated trousers and cummerbunds which just make you look round!
Dark grey is a better color choice than black.