Finding the right suit for the biggest day of your life can be an intimidating challenge. Brides-to-be certainly don’t have it easy when searching for a wedding gown, but women have the advantage of good fashion sense. Most men aren’t knowledgeable about fashion, especially when it comes to rare occasions.
If your future husband is struggling with his suit selection, these seven simple tips will make his search a little easier.
1. Decide Between a Suit and Tuxedo
First, he must decide between a suit and a tuxedo. Suits have neckties or no ties at all, while tuxedos exclusively have bowties. Tuxedos may also have satin lapels and buttons to make them look more luxurious. Since a wedding is a special and formal occasion, most grooms opt for the tuxedo because of its exquisite appearance.
However, suits have much more room for customization. If the groom-to-be doesn’t enjoy wearing ties, he can wear a semi-formal or casual suit and remove the tie from the equation. There are even options for men who don’t like suits with special fabrics and performance technology. Men also have a wider range of color schemes, patterns and textures to choose from.
2. Visit a Tailor
It’s essential that your groom visits a tailor and gets fitted for his suit. It’s easy to tell when someone is wearing a poor-fitting suit. The jacket sags or bites, the arm and pant lengths are noticeably off, the collar rolls behind his neck, and the front button never stays buttoned. Simply put, wearing an unfitted suit on your wedding day is distasteful.
The tailor will get accurate measurements from head to toe and create a suit that complements his body type better than anything off the rack. These clothing professionals can also offer style recommendations if the groom doesn’t know where to start. Bringing an informed and unbiased third party into the equation will make his decision much simpler.
3. Spend a Little Extra
Men like to pretend they’re thrifty when it comes to shopping, but they usually aren’t. They outspend women by 20% to 30% per transaction when shopping online, with menswear and related accessories being the most common purchases. Tell your man to feel free to spend some extra dough on his wedding suit.
Investing in a quality suit will also come in handy for future formal events or business functions. Instead of throwing an outfit together at the last minute, he’ll already have a tailored suit in the closet. Men love versatile clothing, so this argument should easily persuade him to broaden his budget.
4. Choose a Bold Color Scheme
Millions of grooms have worn the traditional black and white wedding suit over the years. There’s nothing wrong with the classic look, but you only have one wedding. Why not go with a bolder color scheme? Put together a suit with complementary colors to make the groom stand out at the altar, not blend in.
If the groom wears a suit with a unique color scheme, so can the groomsmen and family members. Wedding guests are careful not to wear outfits that draw attention from the bride and groom, but a boldly colored suit makes that problem disappear. Everyone can dress with a little more flamboyance.
5. Dress for the Environment
The wedding’s environment should play a huge role in the groom’s suit selection. A matching tan and white suit is a great choice if the venue is on a scenic coastline. A traditional look would be more appropriate if the ceremony is at a small church in your hometown. Dressing for the location is one of the biggest rules of fashion.
The weather should also come into play. Summer ceremonies have more room for suit flexibility, but winter weddings usually require a three-piece suit. That’s why most couples prefer to get married in the late summer or early fall when the weather is moderate. They still have to plan for rain but don’t have to worry about freezing temperatures or snowstorms.
6. Pay Attention to the Finer Details
The measurements and colors aren’t the only qualities that matter when choosing a wedding suit. You must also pay attention to the finer details — the accessories.
Selecting a unique belt buckle, pocket square, wrist watch or cufflinks can turn an average suit into something special. Nail down every detail to unlock its full potential. These small extras can make a big difference in the overall look.
7. Get Input From Friends and Family
Don’t hesitate to get input from friends and family if you’re still undecided. They can give the detached advice that people often need before nerve-wracking occasions like weddings and job interviews.
Most importantly, you know those close to him will be honest about what does and doesn’t work. In the worst-case scenario, he ends up asking his mom to put together an outfit like the old days.
Find a Suit That Means Something
Above all else, you must find a suit that means something to the groom and be a lasting memory. Fifty years from now, he should be able to remember exactly what he was wearing for his wedding day and feel good about his style selection.
Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief at Modded, where he writes about a broad spectrum of topics. Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.
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