If you’re still searching for the perfect outfit for your wedding day, look no further. From suit styles to accessory choices, Rachel Thomson from the formalwear experts Humes Outfitters shares her fashion tips to help grooms prepare for their big day.
While the bride’s dress is a major part of wedding preparation, the groom’s attire is just as important. This is an important milestone, so it’s understandable that you’ll want to look your very best. Not only will this ensure you’re ready for your photos, but feeling smart and confident in your outfit is a great way to calm any wedding day nerves. To help you find the perfect outfit for your big day, Rachel will be going through her top groom styling tips.
Groom style trends
Deciding on your final wedding outfit can seem daunting at first, so it can help to take some inspiration from what other grooms are wearing. In 2023 and going into 2024, more grooms are opting for non-traditional colours, from deep wine reds and forest greens to light blue and earthy tones, to add a touch more individuality and expression to their overall wedding look.
Subtle patterns are also having a moment in the wedding sphere, with checked suits offering a little more uniqueness while still staying traditional. Although tweed has always been a popular choice for smart events, many grooms have opted for the timeless elegance of the fabric this year. Along with being a fashionable option, there is a range of tweeds out there to pair with any colour palette.
Finding your perfect outfit
While your style preferences will largely impact your wedding outfit choice, the colour and theme of your wedding can also play a part in the final decision. Consider the formality of your event and what kind of outfit would suit the theme best. For instance, do you want a sophisticated three-piece suit, a more casual shirt and tweed blazer combination, or something traditional like a kilt?
When it comes to choosing your suit colour, this is largely down to personal style and preference. The most traditional options are black, grey, or navy, but picking a colour you feel most confident in will ensure you feel good on your wedding day. You may want to liaise with your partner to narrow down a colour choice, too. For instance, if you’re decorating with a cool or warm colour palette, this may have an impact on your suit choice. In most cases, you’ll want to stick to a white shirt, as your suit and accessories are where you’ll add colour. If you’re looking for something specific, you can try a made-to-measure tailoring service, which won’t just ensure your suit fits you perfectly, but you’ll usually get to decide everything from fabrics to custom detailing.
If you’ll be wearing a kilt, the colour and style of your tartan will no doubt be an important consideration. You may want to wear a meaningful tartan, such as one that either you or your partner has a family connection to. Another option is to choose a tartan based on your wedding colours. To complete the look, a kilt is usually worn with a waistcoat and jacket, a white shirt, and a black tie or bowtie, although you may want to match your bowtie to your kilt.
Formalwear rental services are often a great option for your wedding day, particularly if you don’t wear suits often or if you’ll be opting for an outfit that you’re not likely to wear again. You can hire everything from suits to kilts, so you can still find an option to make your special day perfect.
Choosing your accessories
Accessories are just as important as the suit itself, as this is usually where you’ll incorporate various other elements of your wedding décor. For example, most grooms choose to match their tie or bowtie and pocket square to one of their wedding colours, such as the colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses. If you’ll be wearing a boutonnière, you might match your wedding flowers or even wear a miniature version of the bride’s bouquet.
If you’ve opted for a kilt, you may choose to wear a sporran, which is a small pouch worn in the centre of the kilt, as well as a sgian dubh, a small knife tucked into your hose. Again, match these accessories to the formality of your wedding and your other accessories. If you’ll be wearing a tie, a semi-dress sporran and wooden sgian dubh will match perfectly. But, if you’ve decided to go more formal with a bowtie, you’ll want to wear a dress sporran, which includes a little more detailing, and possibly a more ornate sgian dubh.
Dressing for your personal style
When it comes to your big day, it’s important to stay true to yourself. Alongside finding a suit that matches your usual style, your accessories are the perfect place to add some personality to your wedding day look. Small touches such as some patterned socks, themed cufflinks, or an embroidered pocket square can all add a unique twist to your wedding outfit. You may also have a family heirloom that you’d like to wear, such as a watch, pocket watch, or a pair of cufflinks.
If you’re searching for the perfect outfit for your wedding day, the tips above will help you narrow down your options so you can feel your very best. For even more groom styling tips, take a look at the groom guides here at Wedding Dates.
