Bespoke For Blokes

Finding a wedding suit that fits you perfectly can often be a difficult task. Camilla Stephenson delves into the details of bespoke tailoring and shares some important tips on how to plan your suit shopping schedule.

It can be a daunting time having just popped the question, and now you’re beginning to organise the biggest party of your life. Making the decision to have someone design and create your wedding suit is a surefire way to help ease your stress and create a wedding day look that doesn’t hold back on personality.

Why Bespoke?

When it comes to looking your best, it’s all in the details. Investing in a custom-made wedding suit ensures that you get the perfect fit, colour and overall look that you’re after. As you would for any important purchase, you want to do some research to determine which tailor is best for you. We recommend beginning your initial search five to six months before your big day. Keep in mind that once you’ve found your tailor, you will be making frequent visits to perfect the fit of your suit, so it’s important to consider travel times. Further, it’s also vital to select a tailor that has received positive feedback from previous clients.

Timing Is Key

After the first consultation with your tailor, your bespoke suit could take anywhere from 45 to 70 hours to construct. Multiple fittings are necessary throughout the production in order to perfect the final result. Despite your excitement, don’t start shopping around too early in case your figure changes.

Man On A Mission

Just as your bride-to-be will be screenshotting Instagram posts and spending endless nights on Pinterest, you’ll also need to find a bit of inspiration for your suit. Maybe you’re set on looking like you just stepped off a Bond film, or perhaps one of the suits Chris Hemsworth wore on the red carpet is more your style. Whatever the case, take a picture of it and start a gallery, as having a visual idea of what you want will also help the suit designer.

Couples That Dress Together

Your wedding day is the beginning of forever with your gorgeous bride. It is also the best opportunity to show how the two of you make the perfect match. A great way to flaunt your unique style as a couple is to coordinate your wedding day looks appropriately.

As tradition goes, there is a high chance that seeing the dress is strictly off limits. However, you can still push for details that will determine which styles should be considered or avoided. If a jewel-encrusted gown is being hinted, opt for a formal black tux. Similarly, if you’ve already booked a beach bungalow and there aren’t shoes involved, you’ll be safe with selecting a lighter-coloured linen suit.

It’s All In The Details

Having your wedding information on hand also makes the bespoke process easier. You’ll need to consider many factors to achieve the best result for your suit, such as the theme and location of the wedding, as well as your body shape and skin complexion.

If you have a fair complexion, darker-coloured fabrics will better complement your skin tone. However, gentlemen with darker skin tones will have the ability to select from a wider range of colours, as their complexion can suit a variety of colours.

Final Decisions

As your special day approaches, there are plenty of things you should be addressing, such as confirming the honeymoon arrangements and making sure the rings are ready and sparkling. A month before your wedding, your customdesigned suit will be close to completion, so it’s important to think about certain details you want to include.

Don’t shy away from injecting some personality into your look, either. Hunt down some bright socks and match them with your groomsmen, or personalise your boutonniere with a childhood memento. If you’re a Star Wars fan, seek out some Chewbacca cufflinks or get your tie pin engraved as a keepsake for your future grandchildren. This will be one of the most photographed days of your life, so make sure the pictures are memorable with something that is quintessentially you.

After ‘I Do’

One of the best factors about deciding to invest in a bespoke suit is the opportunity to wear it in coming years, even after the in-laws have stopped talking about the best man’s speech. The groom’s suit is one of the only wedding expenses that can be used again, so your tailor will likely craft a suit that is appropriate for your wedding day, but also for any other special occasion.

Finally, never forget the importance of a good suit. Your wedding is the one day when you’ll be photographed more than anyone else, so you’ll need to look better than the rest of your guests. Whether you opt for a casual look or a tuxedo, owning a custom-made suit means that you can show up to future functions feeling like a million dollars and looking just as handsome as you did on your special day.

Image Credit: We are Twine