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January/February 2021
16 Wedding Planner®
formal wear
See our ad on the inside front cover
formal wear
Groomsmen now have many fashion choices available to
them. Your choices in menswear can enhance your unique
wedding style.
The men in your wedding party can be as distinctively dressed as
the women. It only takes a little time and thought to determine
which style of formalwear best suits your overall wedding style.
What Do Men Wear?
The men’s clothing should be a reflection of the formality of your
wedding as well as the style and the time of day. It is easiest to
coordinate your wedding if you decide on the men’s wear after the
bride has chosen both her own and her attendants’ gowns. This
allows you to choose a style and color which will complement the
women’s attire. You will find many different styles, colors, pat-
terns, and accessories. The factor which should most influence
your decisions is the style of your wedding. If it is very formal, will
a paisley cummerbund look silly? If it is more relaxed, will black
tie look too stiff?
Who Needs Formal Wear?
Any man who is considered a part of the wedding party. This would
include the groom, his attendants, fathers of the bride and groom,
and perhaps grandfathers. If a man other than the bride’s father is
giving her away, he, too, should wear matching formalwear.
When To Shop
You should begin looking for formalwear from six to nine months
before your wedding date, or as soon as you have decided on the
women’s wear. The earlier you make your decision, the more selec-
tion will be available.
Where To Shop
Most men rent formalwear for a wedding. There are many shops in
the Rochester area which specialize in renting men’s formal wear.
Look for a store which offers many different styles with a wide se-
lection of accessories. This store should have informed salespeople,
as well as a reputation for reliability. Many shops also offer wedding
packages, such as money-saving specials or other incentives for
weddings that book early.
Rental Times
The shop will need your wedding date to reserve the formalwear.
Usually you will be able to pick up the clothing on Thursday or
Friday, and return it on Monday for a weekend wedding.
Fitting Out-Of-Town Ushers
Most formalwear shops have measurement forms available. You
ask the out-of-town groomsmen to take them to a local (to them)
formalwear shop, where they can be measured and the form filled
out. It is industry courtesy for a shop to do this free of charge. The
form is then returned to the shop where the formal is being rented.
Style Terms
Double breasted: Two vertical rows of buttons in front, one to
close the coat, and one for decoration.
Single breasted: One row of buttons in front.
European fit: These are more cut in at the waist, designed for a
trimmer man.
Read the entire Formal Wear article @