For Grooms-to-Be: Essential Suit Styling Guide You Can’t Miss!
Many brides start preparing more than a year in advance to get their ideal look for the wedding. Grooms should not fall behind.
While grooms may not have the same chance as brides to shine with headpieces, hairstyling and makeup, nailing the small details on your suit can greatly elevate your overall look and charm.
I. Check Whether the Suit Fits Properly
1. Shoulder Width
The suit shoulders should lie flat. Its width may vary within 1 cm of the groom’s actual shoulder measurement. The shoulders should be fully covered. Check that there are no wrinkles under the collar on the back panel.
The suit sleeve ideally ends at the base of the thumb (the tiger’s mouth) or halfway down the wrist. Besides, the shirt sleeve should extend 1 to 1.5 cm beyond the suit sleeve.
The suit jacket length should ideally cover the buttocks fully. At minimum, it must cover 80% of the buttocks. The front hem should reach the second knuckle of the thumb.
The seat of the trousers should lie smooth and natural, neither tight nor baggy. The trouser legs should fall neatly to the top of the shoe.
II. Pay Attention to Wearing Details
1. How to Fasten Suit Buttons
For single-breasted suits: if there is one button, you may fasten it. For two-button suits, fasten only the top button. For three-button suits, fasten the top two buttons. Of course, you may also leave a single-breasted suit unbuttoned. An open jacket creates a relaxed and dashing look.
How about buttons on double-breasted suits? There are many different opinions and no strict rules. Generally speaking, for formal occasions, all buttons of a double-breasted suit should be fastened to deliver a steady and composed impression. For everyday wear, however, many men leave the bottom button of their double-breasted suit unfastened, or even leave all buttons undone. This allows greater freedom of movement and softens the inherent formality of the double-breasted style.
2. Do Not Put Items in the Side Pockets of the Suit Trousers
Avoid stuffing your suit pockets on your wedding day. Storing items inside the suit can distort its silhouette, making the groom look unpolished in photos.
III. About Custom Tailoring
1. Get Custom-Tailored When Your Body Weight Is Stable
If you plan to lose or gain a significant amount of weight, it is not ideal to get your suit custom-made at this time. Alternatively, you should account for body changes during production. Try to have your suit tailored when your body shape stays stable.
2. Set Realistic Expectations
Unless you look like David Beckham, even an expensive suit will not make you look as handsome as him. Besides, do not obsess over minor wrinkles. No matter how premium the fabric is, it will inevitably crease when worn by someone moving around, so the look will differ from that of a stationary mannequin.
Wedding suits are all about proper fit and thoughtful details. A well-tailored suit can bring out your charm on this big day. Keep these tips in mind while preparing, and you will look confident and stunning when standing beside your bride.