When men visit formal wear shops they should have a good idea about the bride’s wedding dress, and carry swatches from the bridesmaid’s gowns. The groom can also take help from wedding and men’s magazines for making a choice of tuxedo styles.
The groom and the groomsmen should reserve the rented wedding attire at least three months in advance of the wedding. Final measurements should be taken about three weeks before the ceremony. However make sure to come back a few days before the wedding for last-minute alterations. Finally, someone should be designated to return all formal wear to the store on time in order to avoid late fees, which can get quite expensive adding up to the cost of the outfit.
Tips for Perfect Fitting
Whatever wedding style you choose, there are few things to be kept in mind while ordering formal wear for the groom and the groomsmen. Shirts with pleated front panels or traditional smooth-front ones, should fit snugly around the neck. The bottom hem of the pants should touch the top of the shoes. Jackets should fit perfectly but comfortably. Sleeves should end at the wrist bone with equal number of shirt buttons showing. Vents on the sides of the jacket should lay smoothly and follow body lines. The collar should hug the neck and lapels shouldn’t buckle.
With all the attention given to men’s clothes, an important detail that is sometimes overlooked is the grooms hair. Men are generally more casual about haircuts than women, but they should be sure to get a trim two weeks before the wedding.
Groom’s Glossary
Tails: The ultimate formal attire should be worn after 6 in the evening. This ensemble features a winged-collar tuxedo shirt, ascot or bow tie, vest, tuxedo trousers and tailcoat. The full-dress ensemble comes in black, midnight blue, or gray, with a white shirt and matching or all white accessories.
Tuxedo: Either single or double-breasted, this formal suit has satin shawl or notched lapels. Matching pants sport a satin stripe down the pant-legs. Tailored in silk, mohair, wool or blend, in black, gray, ivory or white, tuxedos come in a variety of styles sure to suit any taste.
Vest: This is often referred to as a waistcoat and comes in single or double- breasted styles easily worn with nearly any tuxedo ensemble. With open back vest, a band goes around the neck and another is fastened across the back. Tails, strollers, white-tie and director’s suit require a different style of vest.
White tie: Worn only to the most formal evening weddings, this ensemble consists of a black tailcoat and black tuxedo trousers with a white bow tie, winged-collar shirt and white vest.