These days the big-day uniform for the groom and his groomsmen does not have to be uniform at all. Ray Li, founder of Suitable, an online made-to-measure suit company, is encouraging the wedding party to show off more of their personalities with their nuptial attire. Here, his style tips on how guys can mix it up and still come across as a complete entourage.
Break the Mold
The groom chose them for a reason, so why not allow them to flaunt what makes them one of a kind? “It’s important that personal style shows through on a bride and groom’s wedding day and suit selection is a great place to start,” Li says. He sees more and more gents reading through GQ or scrolling Pinterest for ideas, which he encourages. But he says it’s also easy to get overwhelmed. Instead, home in on one plan for getting the guys outfitted that will allow them to flex their sartorial muscle within it.
Mix and Match Colors
“We love this idea!” Li says. “Just remember, if you’d like your groomsmen to wear mix-and-match colored suits, make sure to rein in the color options to three max. That way your groomsmen will look cohesive versus scattered.” Here, the groomsmen wear navy and black suits while the groom pops in a white tux. Consider letting the best man stand out in a special color as well, like a deep red blazer. Just be certain to run the color palette by the bride to make sure the groomsmen will coordinate with whatever the bridesmaids are wearing.
Play With Shades
“It’s also popular for grooms to pick their suit or tux color and then ask their groomsmen to wear a slightly different shade of the same color,” says Li. “This is a little less bold, but still adds variety.” To go this route, Li suggests a dark gray suit for the groom and suits in a lighter shade of gray for the groomsmen.
Shake Up the Styles
Bridesmaids have been donning one hue in a variety of silhouettes, so why not follow their lead? After the groom chooses his tux style and the palette, he can share it with the guys. “His groomsmen can then each wear differentiating suit styles that fall within the color story,” Li says.