When it comes time to the wedding, we know that everyone put in effort to look their best. So, when a groom chooses his groomsmen, he wants them looking slick (but maybe not too slick – it is his wedding after all).
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Our recent survey found that groomsmen’s suits averaged around $1,087 in comparison to grooms, who spent $1,834 on their own attire. Despite the gap, platforms like Instagram and events like Pitti Uomo have ensured that grooms and their groomsmen put in as much effort as their brides and bridesmaids into looking good.
Alex Goodman, head designer and owner of the eponymous luxury menswear brand, knows a thing or two about men’s style, creating fashion-forward looks since 2014.
“Groomsmen shouldn’t match the groom, but instead complement him,” he says. “Though it’s a bit hard because grooms are on a budget and they don’t want to spend too much on the groomsmen.”
We asked Alex for three standout looks for three very different weddings. You’re welcome, fellas.
You’ll also find Alex’s signature style on the runway at The Bridal Bazaar, Australia’s Most Luxurious Bridal Event on June 12th 2018. You won’t want to miss it.
The Beach Wedding Look
Beach weddings look gorgeous, but the combination and sun and wind means you need to dress appropriately. Alex suggests lighter fabrics and shades to suit the wedding tone and environment.
“If you’re getting married on the beach, you need something lighter that still holds the structure of the suit, which is why I recommend a woollen-silk mix because the wool gives it depth while the silk is lighter.”
He also suggests linen-wool mixes in shades of white, soft beige, and blue, keeping the colours as light as the fabric. Of course, open collar shirts, no tie, and loafers complete the beachy look.
The Hinterland Wedding Look
Rustic weddings continue to grow more and more popular, thanks in part to things like Pinterest. Other than DIY stations and seasonal florals, woodsy weddings give groomsmen a chance to play with patterns and colours.
For a hinterland wedding, Alex suggests looking towards tweed suits and patterns like houndstooth.
Both styles and their woollen fabric make for the perfect autumn/winter look and a dapper bridal party. Take note of the location for a choice of suit colour to avoid a harsh contrast against the backdrop – basically, avoid black. Alex suggests beiges, darker browns, and navy blues, as well as less common shades of taupe and bottle green.
Groom wearing couture Alex Goodman. Image: The White Tree Photography
The Formal Wedding Look
While the idea of a formal suit seems pretty easy, toeing the line between timeless and stylish is important. Bowties are more popular than ties, and when sticking to classic colours like black, navy, and charcoal grey, always keep in mind that suits should complement the whole party, not match.
“If a groom has a silk lapel, the groomsmen will have silk with a satin edge. If it’s low U-cut vests for groomsmen, then it’s a low U-cut double-breasted vest for the groom,” explained Alex.
The same goes for the bridesmaids – if they’re wearing navy blue or dusty pink, incorporating the colour choice into the groomsmen’s suits will go a long way.
The formal wedding is also a good time to experiment a little and stand out from others. When it comes to choosing a look that breaks the mold, Alex says, “People need to be prepared to be the leader.”
So, if you can rock a coloured suit, just do it.
