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The Perfect Tuxedo

Even though the groom doesn’t have quite the angst that brides have in selecting their wedding attire, it’s still important that he feels as “dashing or handsome” as the bride does beautiful. Below are a few ideas as he begins his search.

Rent or Buy?

If the groom will wear a tuxedo a few times in the future, it makes perfect sense to purchase and invest in a quality tuxedo. However, if the groom will not be wearing a tuxedo much and has his eye on a look that he is less likely to wear again, then it makes more sense to rent his attire for the wedding. A cut-away coat is a trend currently being worn, but it is a coat he would be less likely to wear again, so this is a situation when renting is cost effective.

Body Shape

If the groom has a shape that is hard to fit, then choosing to buy a tuxedo or suit is the best way to go and you can have it tailored to fit his body type. Choosing a style that uniquely fits his shape is crucial to the fit and comfort of the attire for the groom. A three or four-button suit lengthens the appearance of his body and gives added height to his appearance. The groom should avoid slacks and cuffs and try something along the lines of a peak-lapel jacket. A man with broad shoulders and a broad
build will fit better and feel more comfortable in a single-breasted jacket.

Trendy or Not?

If the groom likes to stay in tune with the latest styles and trends, it’s important not to overdo it on the big day. Going with the trends for a waistcoat or shirt color along with the bride is acceptable, but he should stick with one variation. Hot trends right now include black four-in-hand ties and waistcoats.

Year-round Style Guide

(Source: Brides.com)

Daytime Informal   

Winter

• Dark business suit, navy-blue blazer with khaki trousers, navy-blue blazer with cream or white flannel trousers
• Plain shirt with four-in-hand tie (aka standard long necktie)
• Plain coordinating shoes 

Summer

• Light-colored suit or navy-blue blazer with khaki, white, or cream linen trousers
• Plain shirt with four-in-hand tie
• Plain coordinating shoes

Daytime Semiformal

• Black or dark-gray sack coat, gray waistcoat
• White pleated shirt or soft white shirt with standard four-in-hand tie
• Plain black shoes

Daytime Formal

• Black or gray morning coat (cutaway) with black- or gray-striped trousers and gray waistcoat
• Starched white shirt with turndown collar and a black-and-gray striped tie or dress ascot
• Gray gloves
• Black patent-leather dress shoes

Evening Informal

Winter

• Dark business suit or tuxedo, depending on bride’s level of formality

Summer

• Navy or light-colored business suit or tuxedo, depending on bride’s level of formality

Evening Semiformal

Winter

• Tuxedo

Summer

• Tuxedo or white dinner jacket with formal black trousers
• White pleated shirt with turndown collar
• Black vest or cummerbund and matching bow tie or cravat (a short, wide tie)
• Black patent-leather dress shoes or plain black calfskin shoes

Evening Formal

• Black tailcoat and trousers
• White piqué waistcoat
• White starched-bosom shirt with wing collar
• White bow tie
• White gloves
• Black patent-leather dress shoes

Groomsmen – Accessories Provide Unique Touch

Throughout Europe, formal men’s wear has been transformed and redefined. Design houses such as Pal Zileri of Italy have updated the tuxedo by introducing elements of style borrowed from formal suits. Accessories for grooms have become as important as accessories for brides. Choices for neckwear include bowties, traditional ties, ascots, four-in-hand ties and neck scarves called cravats. Vests in deep rich tones and patterns are cut higher. Cufflinks, neck pins and button covers add sophistication. Patterned shirts in tone-on-tone prints add a further element of design.

While the basic rule is that the more formal the wedding, the less color the groom and groomsmen should wear, as with women’s wedding fashions, rules were made to be broken by those confident enough to make their own choices. Many grooms are purchasing their own shirts and accessories as a lasting momento of their wedding. Brides are also choosing to purchase these accessories as a special wedding gift for their groom. Pal Zileri has opened the Venetian Grand Canal Shops in Las Vegas.

Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon

Hey ladies, your finace needs to look just as good at the altar!

Stanley Korshak, located at the Crescent in Dallas, offers sharp suits that will have you falling in love with him all over again.

While there, visit the Bridal Salon, nationally recognized as one of the top salons in the country. Consultations are by appointment only. Call 1.800.972.5959 or 214.871.3611.

Outfitting the Groom for the Special Day

While many brides will spend hours searching for the perfect gown, many do not pay as strict attention to the details of their groom’s attire. However, when shopping for tuxedos in Dallas, Texas, there are plenty of options. Wedding attire ranges from casual to super-formal, giving the groom a wide variety of Dallas, Texas tuxedos – ensuring that he looks his best for the special day.

The tuxedo is often the traditional men’s attire for weddings and other formal occasions. Besides the groom, the groomsmen, father of the bride, father of the groom, and other important male figures in the wedding may also choose to wear a tuxedo.  Depending on your wedding style, the groom’s tuxedo may match the attendants or stand out.  If wearing matching tuxedos, a detail often distinguishes the groom – such as a special handkerchief or boutonnière. Many couple also choose to coordinate the colors of the bridesmaids’ and bride’s dresses to the men’s tuxedos.

The Rainbow of Tuxedo Colors

While many couples still think that the traditional look for a Dallas, Texas tuxedo is to go with black, there are more and more couples choosing to spice up the attire and go with a white or a colored tuxedo.

Since the weather in Dallas, Texas is often warmer, many couples choose outdoor weddings. For this setting, a white tuxedo is completely appropriate. Spring, summer, informal, morning, and afternoon weddings are also socially acceptable occasions to wear a white tuxedo.

Some grooms like to take it a step further and go with a colored tuxedo. For instance, you could choose a color that compliments the bridesmaids’ dresses or the bride’s dress if she is going with something other than white or with a colored accent on her dress. If you are choosing a themed wedding, the groom and the bride may choose a colored tuxedo that goes along with the theme they have chosen.

For the most part, black tuxedos are still the norm in Dallas, Texas for formal and evening weddings.

Sporting the Special Jacket Style

Beyond the color, there are other decisions that must be made on the tuxedo for your Dallas, Texas wedding.  First of all, you must choose the jacket style. There are three basic styles to choose from: the single breasted, the double breasted, and the full dress or tail coat. Unless you are having a highly formal wedding, the single or double breasted is usually appropriate.

Also to be considered in the jacket style is the lapel. Here the choice is up to you and the style that you prefer. The most common styles are notch lapels, which make a V shape, peak lapels, and shawl lapels, which are rounded.

The Perfect Shirt

Beneath the jacket is your tuxedo shirt. It is customary for the tuxedo shirt to match the bride’s gown – for instance, if she chooses a white dress, the shirt should be white, and if she goes with ivory, the shirt should be ivory. Most tuxedo shirts in Dallas, Texas feature a wing or a lay down collar. Wing collars are most often worn with a bow tie, while a lay down collar can be worn with a standard necktie.

Cummerbunds and Vests

The other crucial piece to your Dallas, Texas tuxedo is the vest or cummerbund. Most often these will be chosen to coordinate with the bridesmaids’ dresses to give your wedding party a uniform look.

Other Attire Considerations

When choosing your tuxedo in Dallas, Texas, you will need to decide whether to rent or to buy. If you normally attend formal functions where a tuxedo is appropriate, then buying may be the most affordable option. If your wedding is the one and only time that you will wear a tuxedo, then renting is usually preferred.

While you do not need to register for the tuxedo immediately, you should still do so at least three months prior to the wedding date. This allows the retailer to order your choices and make any alterations necessary.

If you hate shopping, consider checking out tuxedo styles before heading off to the store. That way, you and your bride can decide ahead of time the style you are looking for, minimizing the time needed to try on and consider different styles.

Some formal wear locations will offer special discounts if the entire bridal party orders their tuxedos at the same time. This will not only make the process more affordable for you, but allow you to ensure that the entire party is coordinated and fitted properly.