Helping them Look Their Handsomest for Your Big Day
Bridal and bridesmaid style may be the first thing you think of when designing the look of your wedding. But don't forget your hunky groomsmen. With new groomsmen attire designers, new cuts and new fashions, your groomsmen can look classy, unique and very "GQ" on your wedding day. Pump up the testosterone and give them some style advice for finding a finely tailored tuxedo or suit, shoes and accessories that make them look as good as your bridesmaids strutting their stuff down the aisle.
Tantalizing Tuxedo or Suit
Unless your groomsmen are black-tie-event regulars, they probably need a little guidance in the tuxedo and suit department. An uncomfortable man in an ill-fitting tuxedo doesn’t make for happy memories, or good wedding pictures. To ensure your groomsmen don’t split their pants while doing the Macarena, share these tips on finding a tuxedo or suit that fits.
Make sure they get measured for waist size, inseam and jacket size.
Their jacket should fit well and give them a full range of motion, both buttoned and unbuttoned. Keep in mind they’ll be cutting a rug.
They should be able to fit one finger between the collar of their shirt and their neck, but no more than that. The shirt cuffs shouldn't ride up when they stretch their arms. If they're wearing a button-cuff shirt, cuffs should break exactly at the wrist; if it’s a French-cuff shirt, cuffs should break about ½-inch further.
The vest should button comfortably and hit just below the pants waistband. If they're wearing a vest to a summer wedding, make sure it has a full back, so that they're still "George Clooneying" it up when the jacket comes off.
Pants should break over the instep, about one-third of the way down the shoe.
How Formal and When
How formal your wedding is and what time of day plays a role in choosing your Best Man and groomsmen attire.
Semiformal Daytime: Skip the tuxes and opt for suits.
Semiformal Evening: Go with a dark tuxedo and bow tie worn with a cummerbund or vest. Another option is a nice dark suit. Either way, choose a white shirt with a wing or turned-down collar.
Formal Daytime: Tuxedos, tailcoats and gray strollers are all appropriate. Match them with a white spread-collar shirt, a vest to match their coat, an ascot or regular necktie and a pocket square if they’re feeing dapper.
Formal Evening: Go with a classic black tuxedo with a white-wind or spread-collar shirt, black tie or bow tie and matching vest or cummerbund. If you're fashion-forward choose formal four-in-hand ties because they’re contemporary.
Ultra-Formal Daytime: Think cutaway coat, gray-striped trousers, gray vest, ascot and black shoes. Go for a top hat, spats and gray gloves.
Ultra-Formal Evening: Go for white tie, black tailcoat, black trousers, white pique wing-collared shirt, black vest or cummerbund and white bow tie. Dare we suggest white gloves? Yes!
Accessories
The perfect groomsmen attire accessories turn a nice suit into a great ensemble.
Cuff Links: Colored if you want to add spice, sterling silver or gold for a more conservative look.
Tie: Whether you choose bow ties or suit ties, make sure they match the color scheme.
Check Out Modern Tuxes for Your Man
Check Out Ideas for Groomsmen Gifts
Check Out Your Groom's Cufflinks