You’ve finally settled on your wedding day, booked the venue, dreamed up a theme and are ready to get shopping for the all-important suit. As the man of the hour, you fancy the idea of wearing a tuxedo but you’re not quite sure if you can pull it off, after all, it is the most formal option out there for any groom. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Irish menswear company Benetti is on hand to give you the lowdown on black tie weddings and tuxedo shopping to help you nail the right look for your long-awaited big day. Here’s what you need to know…
JAMES PEAK LAPEL TUXEDO BY BENETTI MENSWEAR
A Timeless Look
You’ve considered your options and the classic tuxedo is a strong contender for your wedding day attire – first of all, let us say you have excellent taste. A tuxedo offers a classic and elegant look for your big day, one that will truly stand the test of time. A black tie wedding is a formal, more traditional affair, setting the tone for your entire nuptials and the classic dinner suit, which has been popular since the 19th century, undoubtedly adds an extra touch of glamour and sophistication to the wedding aesthetic. Not only does it photograph beautifully, but it’s a look any groom can pull off with a bit of confidence!
The Setting Matters
Before you commit to the tuxedo, consider your setting. Does your wedding venue suit a black tie affair? While a classic tux can be worn all year round, the location will play a big factor in whether you can get away with wearing one or not. Traditionally, black tie weddings are best suited to venues that offer an element of grandeur – luxury hotels, manor homes and historic castles. You can always break the rules, of course, but do consider your location and make sure you won’t stick out like a sore thumb. It will make a huge difference in the photos!
Black Tie Doesn’t Mean All-Black
While once upon a time black tie meant embracing the classic all-black look (it was actually midnight blue, believe it or not), things are very different now with endless options to choose from. You can really show off your personality with a number of suiting options including more subtle and bold colour options too. A navy or charcoal grey dinner jacket modernises the look, and if you really want to go all-out, play around with materials and textures too. One way to stand out from the crowd is with a pop-of-colour dinner jacket and Benetti has a number of sophisticated options in the collection for you to take your pick from. Forest greens and burgundy tones are popular for winter weddings while ice blues and even white (if you’re brave enough!) look dapper on brighter, more summery days. Check out the Peter Ink Tuxedo to start.
Just You or Groomsmen Too?
Why be the only one channelling James Bond on your wedding day when your groomsmen can play dress up too? As the groom, you’ll want to stand out from the rest of the wedding party and there are a number of ways to do this – namely by putting extra thought into your accessories. Your style of waistcoat, jacket, shirt and other finer details can really set you apart from the rest of the group. The bow tie goes hand-in-hand with a classic tuxedo and you can have fun here with your groomsmen – perhaps they can have a pop-of-colour in contrast to your classic black bow tie or maybe you’d like to make a statement and let them rock the more traditional look.
Black Tie Non-Negotiables
If you’ve committed to the look, there are a few things to bear in mind when styling this classic tailored ensemble. As the most formal of all suiting options, there are a number of important elements to the look that bring it all together. A typical tuxedo will include:
- A dress shirt, traditionally white, featuring pleats, special buttons or studs
- A beautifully crafted jacket featuring satin trim or contrasting fabric on the lapels and buttons
- Dress pants with a satin trim down the side of each leg
- A solid pair of smart shoes, usually patent Oxford shoes – you can modernise the look with a pair of velvet slippers or loafers if you’re not a fan of the more traditional shinier shoe
- Accessories likes a cummerbund or vest (it’s one or the other but modern grooms tend to veer towards a vest), suspenders (a must) and a bow tie (of course!)
JAMES PEAK LAPEL TUXEDO BY BENETTI MENSWEAR
It’s All About The Fit
Like with all formalwear, the fit is so important when it comes to looking dapper in a tuxedo, so give yourself the timeline you need to get it right. Your dinner suit should fit in a timeless and comfortable way, hugging your body in all the right places and enhancing your natural proportions. Choosing the right lapel style (peak, shawl or notch) and dinner jacket – single or double-breasted, will really make the difference in how sharp you look too. Benetti’s Shawl Tuxedo in black is a sharp and timeless choice.
