Dress to Impress
Fashion Trends for Today’s Groom
by Bruce Mullen
Director of Banquets – The Rittenhouse Hotel
You are at a point in your planning where you feel that everything is progressing at a breakneck speed and that you are well on your way to your ultimate dream wedding. The planning is going well and you are securing all of the right people who will contribute to making your party amazing.
Now is the time to start thinking about the ambiance you want to set for your wedding; event décor and attire will play a major role in your nuptials. When thinking about these two attributes, you need to first take into account several factors:
- Time of year: Be seasonal with your colors
- Time of day: Is it a daytime or evening affair?
- Are you going semi-formal or formal?
Some say that the groom has it the easiest, but still by no means is it easy to decide on what he will wear on the big day. Is he going to wear a suit for the semiformal affair, or a tuxedo for the formal affair?
If your wedding is going to be semiformal and a suit is selected, the decision on color will most likely be the biggest choice your groom has to make.
If you decide to have a more formal wedding, then the tuxedo is the route one must take. Tuxedos are a classic article of clothing, and one may feel as though it is a very simple choice. However, that being said, there are many varieties of tuxedos
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The Rise of the Tuxedo
Of course, there is always the standard black, one-button tuxedo with the white shirt that has become the average expectation. While there is nothing wrong with this, it really does not make a statement about who you are and the style you are portraying for your wedding.
Richard Bauman, the Buyer from Boyds in Philadelphia, www.boydsphila.com, states the return of the tuxedo is once again prominent. 95% of the weddings that he outfits are going the tuxedo route. The peak lapel is the most elegant and portrays richness. Tuxedos are also showing in many different prints and patterns, ranging from a Hugo Boss mitred lapel to a John Varvatos alligator print.
The crème de la crème of tuxedos is designed by Isaia. This is a handmade custom tuxedo with elegant stitching and wonderful tailoring. It does not come cheap – it starts at an estimated $4,000.00.
Customized Shirts
Shirts are another way of customizing the look of the tuxedo. The laydown collar style is definitely the preferred shirt, in lieu of the wingtip collar. The styles that have shown prominence are the fly-front shirt that does not require any studs, and the buttons are covered. And of course the style of shirt that requires a stud set. White shirts are generally the best for a tuxedo. It provides a great contrast to the tuxedo and looks very elegant in the pictures. Shirts come in many different styles, with tone-on-tone patterns being one of the most recent trends.
Stud Sets
Studs give the groom and his party an opportunity to show off a little flair with beautiful adornments. Stud sets are as individual as the person wearing them. Sets may range from $100.00 to $2,500.00.
Accessorize
There is a fun part to the tuxedo as well, and that is with hosiery. The wedding party is selecting socks that compliment the gowns that the ladies are wearing. Polka dots, stripes, bright colors are a way to add a touch of
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