Brides go through a lot to find their perfect wedding dress. They spend hours agonising over the cut, the fit and the cost. After that, most guys probably won’t be wanting to do any more shopping. But you have to get a wedding suit, it’s your wedding after all. Don’t worry, we’re here to get you through this ordeal.
FIT
This is a wedding suit with good fit. It drapes well, with no unnecessary wrinkling, and nothings too tight. Photo Credits: Juxtapose Pix | www.juxtaposepix.com
Fit is the most important aspect when choosing a wedding suit. One that does not fit right will look cheap, even if it costs thousands of dollars. Make sure nothing’s too tight or too loose. When the wedding suit is being worn, it should drape well over your body, with no bunching or sagging. A good shoulder fit is the most important of all, as it really can’t be altered by a tailor. Here’s a great visual guide from the website Real Men Real Style.
INVEST IN A TAILOR
Even if it means going for a slightly cheaper wedding suit, invest in a good tailor. No wedding suit will come off the rack with a perfect fit. With enough luck and time, you can get really close, but it will never be perfect. Go to a reputable tailor, get your measurements done, and the wedding suit altered to fit your body perfectly.
AVOID CORPORATE
If you have a suit you wear to work, or you use for business, take it out of your wardrobe. Take a few pictures. When you go shopping for your wedding suit, compare any options to those pictures. Immediately put back any suits that look too similar to your business suit.
Your wedding suit should be a fun yet formal. Have different pockets, go for a more adventurous colour, get peaked lapels. Whatever you do, your wedding suit should give off a completely different feel from that business piece on your phone.
LAPELS
The lapels are often an overlooked aspect of a suit, but they definitely contribute to the overall look. Choose the right lapels for your suit, for your wedding, and for you.
NOTCHED LAPEL
Photo Credits: Juxtapose Pix | juxtaposepix.com
This is the classic lapel. The collar and lapel meet at an angle, creating a triangle of space. The safe choice, it looks great on every type of suit and person. Just remember that in general, slimmer lapels fit slimmer people. So watch out for width as well.
PEAKED LAPEL
A bolder look, the peak lapel extends the lapel past the collar, pointing up towards the shoulders. While traditionally reserved for double breasted suits, the peaked lapel is currently becoming common in single breasted suits. This is a good lapel for anyone looking for a little more height or to look slimmer. The V-shape created by the lapels create an illusion of a more V-shaped body. And the rising ‘peaks’ appear to elongate the wearer, adding some height.
SHAWL LAPEL
Photo Credits: Chris Chang Photography | chrischang.photography
Mostly reserved for tuxedos, the shawl lapel is a traditionally formal lapel. This is the lapel to wear to an extremely fancy wedding venue. Having said that, shawl lapels can also be pulled off when wearing a wedding suit. Just keep in mind that it will still look more formal than the others. Men with rounder faces or bodies should avoid this lapel, as it will emphasise that roundness. Go for a straighter lapel that will contrast those features.
FABRIC
Now you’ve got your fit, your look and the right lapel. It’s time to choose fabrics. While appropriate suit fabrics change according to season in temperate countries, here in Singapore we’ll be looking at indoor and outdoor fabrics.
INDOOR
Indoor fabrics can afford to be slightly heavier, with air-conditioning to keep the heat and humidity at bay. The heavier fabric will result in a cleaner, sharper silhouette.
This wedding suit is made of light, tropical wool. Notice the sharp edges on the shoulders, due to the weight of the fabric. Photo Credits: Pinterest
Wool isn’t just for winter. This classic suit fabric has many different variations, including a breathable, lightweight tropical wool. Heavier than the outdoor fabrics, lightweight wool will have a cleaner, tighter outline. And it’s versatile, allowing it to be re-worn after the wedding.
OUTDOOR
For those outdoor weddings. These fabrics are designed to air you out as you sit in the garden heat.
This cotton wedding suit is slightly rumpled, a common trait when using lighter fabrics.
Photo Credits: Pinterest
The classic light fabric, a cotton wedding suit will certainly help when dealing with heat. Lighter fabrics tend to have a less definition than heavy ones, and cotton is no different. A cotton suit will look slightly more casual, but it’s probably worth it, keeping you from being drenched at the end of the night.
Seersucker is identified by its wrinkled appearance, caused by the weaving technique.
Photo Credits: Pinterest
A variant of cotton, this fabric is woven such that some threads bunch together, creating a wrinkled appearance. This causes the fabric to be held away from skin, making it breathable and cool. This is a very, very casual suit, so fit is more important than usual. But, if you’re more sweat-prone than most, seersucker is a good option to keep the B.O. at bay.
Linen has a very laid-back look, thanks to its tendency to crease.
Photo Credits: Pinterest
Made from flax, this is the absolute most casual of suits. Linen wrinkles almost instantly, so this is something to keep in mind, especially if your venue is more upmarket. But, the unique texture and look of linen can go a long way if you’re looking for a different look.
SHOES
Men’s formal shoes basically come either in brown or black. There are more uniquely coloured formal shoes, but if you know how to pull those off, you probably don’t need this article. Now, do you go black or brown?
Black shoes are the more formal of the two, and is a safe choice for weddings. They go with most dark colours, from black to navy. Just don’t pair them with a brown wedding suit.
Brown shoes are usually seen as being more casual than black ones, with the casual-ness increasing as the tone lightens. Since you’re wearing them to your wedding, stick with dark browns. Brown shoes are worn with blue, gray and brown suits. Make sure to have different shades of brown if you’re going for a brown wedding suit. Do not wear brown shoes with a black suit.
BUY/RENT
Now that you’re chock full of wedding suit knowledge, you’re ready to go out there and buy/rent your suit. Buying a wedding suit is much more reasonable then buying a wedding dress, as suits can be worn day-to-day once the wedding is over. This is especially true if you pick a more casual suit fabric. The suit’s blazer and trousers can also be worn separately, creating even more looks. However, if you have your heart set on a tuxedo, it’s probably safer to rent one. Tuxedos are incredibly formal, and unless you regularly go for red-carpet events or weddings, it’s not going to see much use. Rented tuxes are now often tailored, so fit should not be a problem.
PERSONALISATION
Fun sock themes are a great way to add a splash of colour, and let your personality show.
Photo Credits: Pinterest
The wedding suit is in, the fit is right. You’re all ready for your big night. Now’s the time to throw in a little dash of personality. Unique socks, ties, boutonnieres, and pocket squares are all ways to showcase your individuality. Try having a theme with your groomsmen. Everyone wears red socks, or maybe have blue pocket squares. The possibilities are endless. Now go out there, and look great.
We hope this has helped you choose your perfect suit. If you’re looking for more advice, check out the rest of our blog posts! Or, maybe you need some experienced wedding videographers to document you getting married in your suave, new suit.