When it comes to a man’s big day he knows that all eyes are going to be on the bride as she makes her way down the aisle to him. And while she will look and feel every bit as beautiful as she deserves to, it behoves her significant other to look at his most handsome and elegant as he stands beside her to make his vows.
Whether your big day is just around the corner or years away, it’s in a groom’s best interest to start thinking about the kind of suit he’d like to wear as soon as possible. While you should look and feel comfortable, smart and handsome in your wedding suit, you should also consider coordinating with the style of the bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses when selecting your style of suit.
Let’s take a look at the different styles of wedding suits available. Whatever aesthetic you’re going for, you’re sure to find something that works for you.
Evening tails
If your wedding will be a formal affair, you may find that a traditional evening suit with tails or a frock coat is the best option to match the traditional aesthetic of your wedding.
The great thing about tailcoats is that they are snug and form fitting yet flattering to virtually any physique while a marcella waistcoat keeps your midsection under control.
Top hats are optional.
The wedding tux
If you’re looking for something formal but the traditional top and tails aren’t for you, a tuxedo is always an elegant choice. The clean lines and satin lapels look great on pretty much everyone.
If your tastes veer towards the traditional, opt for a black tux and accentuate the formality with a classic black bow tie, whereas if you’re looking for something a little more contemporary a navy tux also looks fantastic.
Three-piece dinner wear
A third option for a formally styled wedding is a smart three-piece dinner wear.
The beauty of the dinner wear is that it is versatile and flattering for all wearers.
You can opt for a single breasted or double breasted style depending on your shape and the wide range of available colours means that you’re bound to be able to find something to match what your bride is wearing. Of course, if you want to play it safe, always go back to black!
Double breasted Italian style
The double breasted 6 button Italian style suit is a great way to combine elegance with a distinctive and different feel.
They are a little more formal than their single breasted counterparts and while they are traditionally worn with long ties, it’s not inconceivable to pair it with a bow tie. This kind of suit is best for tall and / or slender grooms.
Browse through our extensive collection and you’ll find that whatever your tastes and whatever your wedding aesthetic we have something perfect for you!
A look into the key checkpoints to make sure your suit looks sharp. Too many people fall into the trap of assuming they know their size and as long as they stick to that, the suit will fit. If only it were that simple! Suits vary in cut, construction and style and unfortunately it’s not quite as easy as one rule for every body shape! This can make finding the right suit for you pretty tricky!
That’s why King Suits is here to take the hassle of finding that perfectly fitting garment by making them to your specific measurements with meticulous attention to detail.
In the meantime, here’s the 101 on checking that all-important fit of your suit. – Starting with the Jacket.
Shoulder line
Suit shoulder finishes come in a range of finishes, from padded, to soft to La Spalla Camicia. Whatever your prefered option, the key is the fit. The end of the shoulder pad should finish neatly in line with the end of your body’s shoulder. This will allow the arm to fill out the top of the sleeve which should drape smoothly in a straight line. Too tight and the arm will stretch the top of the sleeve, too big and the shoulders will hang unnaturally with an unsightly hole appearing in the void.
Lapels
Lapels should sit flat against the chest. A gap between the chest and the lapels indicates the jacket is too big. If the chest panels are too small, the lapels will bow. The temptation of many is to go too tight – remember, tight is not always right!
Sleeve & Jacket Length
A couple of schools of thought available on these very personal preferences. When it comes to sleeves, as a general rule, always flash a bit of your shirt cuff when your arms are in a relaxed position – ideally about an inch. A touch of colour beneath the end of the jacket cuff always helps sharpen your look.
On jacket lengths, British traditionalists tend towards a longer finish; clenching the fist and lining up the jacket with the knuckles gives a preferred length. This works particularly well with a more traditionally styled suit. The Italians tend towards a much shorter length teamed with a slimmer suit giving a more elegant line to the leg. As a general rule, by today’s standards, look to line up the bottom of the jacket with the bottom of the crotch of your trousers, with enough length in the back to just about cover your trouser seat – with this rule, you won’t go wrong!
Closure
You should always be able to button your jacket. Ideally, look for a gap of an inch to an inch and a half from the belly to the closure. Too tight and the button will pull and create an unsightly crease in the shape of an X in the front of the jacket. Too loose and your jacket will lose shape and silhouette. You could also be accused of smuggling. The button should ideally sit around the widest part of your body to allow the rest of the jacket to fall naturally into place.
Seem a lot to think about? Remember, these are just the basics! Some problems can result from differing postures – but why retrain your posture? Get your suit to do the hard work! If you want the perfectly fitting suit, get in touch, and let our professional outfitters advise you.
Next time… Don’t let your trousers let you down.
Speak with us if you wish to have a perfect suit for your body.
Whether for Zoom calls or your next business meeting – show you care!
Be creative with your planning and make an effort.
Work Call
Be the guy in the smarter jacket; be the smarter guy. This is a great time to one-up your colleagues before even opening your mouth or sending an email.
Use this time to remind your boss that you’re designed to be client facing, and capable of leading your company to victory. How? Take the time to press a crisp white shirt and pick a jacket out that commands the right kind of attention. Lockdown is a time to stand out.
Video Date
There isn’t a more important time to wear an attractive outfit than to a first date. Video dates are a thing now, and as during an in-person date, you’d like to leave an impression.
Show that you care, be creative with your planning and make an effort. The T-Shirt and jacket combo has been a winner for decades, as it shows that you have both a fun and sophisticated side to you.
Virtual Birthday Party
It’s getting boring to see people still wearing pyjamas at 4pm in the afternoon. Especially if the call in question holds a bigger significance, such as a birthday party.
Dressing up will not only make you feel better about yourself, but also show attendees that you care. Summer is upon us, so it’s time to dust off your loafers and pale chinos. We recommend pairing them with a lightweight jacket and a crisp polo shirt for a long evening in with friends.
Most fabrics used in menswear are woven, although the intricate differences between the weaves lead to a greatly varying look & feel of the fabric.
We are here to help you navigate the world of fabric weaves!!
TWILL
Twill is a weave with a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs. It’s perhaps the most widespread of the weaves used in suiting. Twills have fewer interlacings as compared to other fabrics, such as plain weaves, which allows the yarns to move more freely and hence lead to a softer feel and better drape than for example plain weave suits.
SHARKSKIN
Sharkskin cloths are smooth fabrics with a two toned appearance which is achieved by basket weaving threads of two different colours, whereby the darker thread runs diagonally to the lighter one. The characteristics of a sharkskin fabric are its smooth feel, wrinkle-resistance, and luxurious sheen which makes it perfect for formal attire.
HERRINGBONE
Herringbone is a mirrored twill. Subtle, monochromatic versions are popular for suits, while bolder versions make for excellent sport coats.
BIRDSEYE / NAILHEAD
Birdseye is a small, repetitive woven pattern that resembles small diamonds. It is great for people that like solid suits yet want a bit of extra visual interest with regard to texture.
Whether you’re buying your first suit, your wedding suit, or a new bespoke suit ‘just because’, there’s a lot to consider. We know, we know.. it can be daunting, especially if this is your first rodeo.
Luckily, here at King Suits., we’re experts. Not just because of our experience in tailoring and fashion, but because we’ve helped hundreds of men create a made-to-measure suit that’s just right for them. From fit to style and everything in between (and believe us, there’s a lot in between) here are 20 things you should consider when buying a suit.
The Occasion
First things first, where are you planning on wearing your suit? Is this for everyday use? A special occasion? Is that occasion formal or informal? Are you planning for this to be your prom suit? Black Tie? White Tie? Do you have a job interview? Are you buying a new suit for a special presentation in front of your board of directors? We could keep going but we’ll stop there.
The point is, the occasion is important. It’ll dictate the general style of your suit (more on that later) including the accessories you choose.
Colour
Generally speaking, you have four options when it comes to colour: grey, blue, brown and black.
For an everyday suit, opt for grey or blue (navy, to be specific). Black tends to be more formal and brown, while dashing, can be difficult to pull off. We don’t want to dissuade you from brown, because it can look smart. But, done wrong, it can look tacky and outdated.
Of course, pastel suits, cream suits and burgundy suits are always an option, too…
The Season
The season will dictate the colour, style and fabric of your suit. In the summer, everything is more laid back and (obviously) hotter. This calls for something light-weight and lighter in colour. Pastels, remember? In the winter, you’re looking at much heavier suits in darker colours that you can match with the perfect wool overcoat. It’s all about practicality.
Of course, with a new season comes new trends. You may have noticed that designers come out with Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter lines?
Fabric
When buying a suit, the fabric should be far from an afterthought. Do you want something lightweight and breathable? Thick and warm? Are you concerned about sweat stains?
While this isn’t exactly a definitive guide, here’s a quick run-down for you:
Wool Suits: Versatile and common and can even be found in a lightweight version called tropical wool.
Flannel Suits: Heavy, resistant to creasing and best suited for winter
Corduroy Suits: Durable, trendy and warm
Silk Suits: Trendy, incredibly lightweight but won’t hide perspiration
Linen Suits: Lightweight, comfortable but stains and creases easily
TweedSuits: Thick, sturdy, warm and stylish
Cotton Suits: Breathable, absorbs moisture well, easy to care for
The Lapel
While we’ll be the first to admit that considerations 1-4 are quite broad and open-ended, we’re starting to get into the finer details now. For you, that means fewer options and hopefully an easier decision.
In terms of lapels, you’ve got notch lapels or peak lapels. That’s it! Just two!
A notch lapel is considered standard and is seen on most single-breasted suits and blazers. A peak lapel is considered more formal and is commonly found on double-breasted jackets and dinner suits.
If you’re creating a bespoke suit, why not stand out and add a peak lapel to a single-breasted blazer. This style was popular back in the Twenties and (as with all styles) it’s coming back ‘round!
Buttons
Again, we’re getting down to the nitty gritty here so you have fewer options.
One Button – One-button suit jackets tend to be reserved for more formal events. But, if you’re worried more about ashtethics than the occasion, the perk of a one-button jacket is that it creates a deeper V and shows off more of your shirt and tie.
Two Buttons – It’s classic and timeless. You really can’t go wrong here. While – yes – it has a higher stance than a one button jacket, your shirt and tie will still show through.
Three Buttons – This look is generally considered outdated and isn’t flattering on most body types.
Shoulder
Remember back in the 80’s when shoulder pads were big and bulky? Today, that’s what you don’t want.
The shoulder pad should lie flat and should end at your shoulder bone or slightly past it. It should meet the sleeve exactly where your arm meets your shoulder. If it meets below that, it’ll look lumpy and baggy, like you’re wearing your father’s suit. If it meets above that, not only will it look too small, but your range of motion will be terribly inhibited.
Sleeve Length
Ideally, your suit sleeve should end at, or just above, the wrist bone when your arm is at rest, showing about half an inch of your shirt (assuming it’s long-sleeved). It should never (ever) fall below the base of your thumb. If you have a look at the distance between your wrist and the base of your thumb, you’ll know that you don’t have much wiggle room.
It’s virtually impossible to find a suit jacket off-the-rack that hits this ‘sweet spot’ on both sides because most of us are asymmetrical. With a made-to-measure-suits you’ll be sure to get the perfect length on both sides.
The Length of the Jacket
This one’s easy. Put on your jacket and let your arms hang. Keep your shoulders relaxed and stand up straight. If your suit fits properly, you should be able to gently wrap your fingers under the sides of your suit jacket.
The Closure
To see if the closure fits properly, you’ll have to first button at least one button on the jacket. If it’s too tight, not only will you feel restricted, but you’ll see that the lapels are bending and folding. If it’s too loose, the jacket will flare out on either side at the bottom.
The Trouser Break
In case you’re reading this guide for advice on your very first suit, we should first define what a trouser break is. It’s the crease or wrinkle that’s created when your trousers, chinos or jeans meet your shoes. It used to be that your pant should rest on the top off your shoe so that a slight pool of fabric gathered and folded. The keyword here is slight. You shouldn’t look like you’re drowning in your trousers!
Now, it’s more of a personal style choice than a hard rule. You can opt for no break and show off some ankle. A slight break means that your pant and shoe meet but just barely. A conservative (but respectable) medium break (somewhere in between the standard break and slight break) says ‘I understand trends and have a good tailor’.
Your Body Type
Slim, athletic, bulky, short or tall…all men need a suit. What’s more, all me deserve to look good in their suit. It should go without saying, suits don’t fall into the category of ‘one size fits all’. In fact, your body type should dictate not just the size you get, but the material, the cut, single breasted vs. double breasted and more.
Patterns
We’ve touched on fabric which is often a practical choice. Patterns, on the other hand, come down to personal taste and style. If you work in a creative industry, take risks with the pattern! If you’re more of a traditionalist, then no need to take such risks.
Contemporary Vs. Timeless
Some suit styles will never go out of style. With a smart waistcoat, tweed, or a navy two-piece.. you’ll never go wrong.
But what about if you want to take a risk and try something new and contemporary? You could mix and match colours and patterns by putting separates together, hike up your trouser hem and go sockless, or even rock a short suit in the summertime.
Lining
If you’re looking to add a ‘WOW!’ factor to your suit, have it lined. We recommend going for a bold colour or eye-catching pattern. A proper silk-lined suit will feel great and keep you cooler.
Customisation Options
At King Suits, your customisation options are almost endless. Of course, you’ll be able to customise the fit, material and cut. But we also offer quarter, half or full jacket lining, hand-embroidered monograms, and a choice of flap, jetted or patch pockets. This comes at extra costs and if you can afford it, we will get it done.
Price
Before you start customising your suit and choosing fabrics, you have to consider your budget. Instead of building your dream suit and then being disappointed when it’s out of your price range, be upfront about what you can and can’t afford.
Accessories
When putting together an ensemble, the accessories you choose are almost (almost) as important as the suit itself. Pocket squares, ties, bowties, belts, braces, socks, watches, sunglasses, cufflinks and shoes can all be used to create a look that’s uniquely yours. We’ve already talked a bit about contemporary vs. timeless in terms of your suit. Your accessories should be in line with this choice.
A few rules to bear in mind, though:
Your accessories should complement the colour or pattern of your suit. For example, if you’re wearing a patterned suit, opt for simple neckwear.
Your shoes should be appropriate for the occasion. While there are plenty of instances where trainers or okay with a suit, a wedding isn’t one of them.
Don’t overdo it. Use accessories to enhance your outfit, not clutter it.
Maintenance
How much time (and money) do you have to properly care for you suit? After all, it is an investment. If you don’t want to send off to a dry cleaners every week, choose a low-maintenance fabric like cotton. Likewise, if you’re looking for an everyday suit, choose a durable material that will hold up after dozens of washes. If it’s a seasonal suit, do you have somewhere to store it?
Personal Taste
This should be a no-brainer but it’s worth mentioning. Get a suit that you love. Despite 19 other things to consider, this one is the most important. If simple, navy suits are you thing, go for a simple, navy suit! If double breasted suits strike your fancy, get one! There’s no rule against what you can and can’t like. But, always (always!) make sure it fits properly.
WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO SUIT UP. DRESS LIKE A KING!!!
At Kingsuits, we talk a lot about how a suit should fit. And – don’t get us wrong! – fit is the deciding factor in whether you look smart in your suit or like a young boy drowning in his older brother’s prom suit. But, accessories are important too. They have the ability to elevate your look from ‘good enough’ to absolutely perfect.
Most men know how to find the right tie, and it’s easy to pick out a pocket square, but what about the shoes? Coordinating the colour of you shoes with the colour of your suit can be confusing and, if you do it wrong, it could completely ruin an otherwise dapper ensemble.
We’re here to dispel the rumor that ‘black shoes go with everything’. Here’s our definitive guide.
With a Black Suit
Unfortunately, there’s only one answer here: black. Wearing a black suit with brown shoes is like wearing black shoes with white socks. They stand out, and for all the wrong reasons. We know that you’ve probably seen celebrities experimenting with coloured shoes but we have to say that we don’t recommend it. There’s a certain elegance that comes with a black suit and black shoes.
It’s clean. It’s streamlined. It’s classic.
Instead of playing around with colour, express yourself through the shape and material of your shoe. Create a point of interest with a tasseled loafer or play it cool with penny loafers. Suede will add texture to your look while shiny patent leather lace-ups are perfect for virtually any occasion.
With a Navy-Blue Suit
Ah, the navy-blue suit. So versatile.
Your options are (virtually) limitless if you’re opting for a navy-blue suit. You have just as much freedom with shoe colour as you do with shirt colour. The three best options, though are: black, brown or burgundy. Since we spent so much time talking about black above, we’ll give you a break and move on to the other two.
It should go without saying that your suit-shoe combination is heavily influenced (if not dictated!) by the event that you’re attending. Brown shoes work well in warmer months while burgundy is better suited for fall and winter.
Bear in mind the colour of your shirt and tie when choosing your shoes and avoid all-over colour. That is to say if you’ve opted for a brown shirt, mix up the colour of your shoe so that you don’t look to monotone.
Otherwise, you have free reign! We even support white trainers with a navy suit. We told you it was versatile.
With a Cream or Tan Suit
It’s safe to say that if you’re wearing a cream or tan suit, it’s likely made of linen and is, therefore, being worn to an event somewhere warm. Bear this in mind when choosing your shoe!
In order to complement the colour of your suit, opt for a shoe that’s light. Hint: This is one of those instances where a black shoe does not work! Instead, go for light brown or even white shoes. Better yet, go for both with spectator or two-tone shoes. They’re eye-catching for all the right reasons and add whimsy to simple outfits.
With a Grey Suit
It’s difficult to give advice on grey suits because there are so many different shades of grey, making the suit ideal for mixing and matching. In particular, we love the look of brown, tan and – if you’re feeling a bit more daring – you could choose an oxblood or burgundy shoe.
Top tip: The lighter the shade of grey is, the lighter the shade of brown should be. So, for a darker grey suit, opt for a brown shoe. If it’s a light grey suit, swap brown out for a tan.
We cannot cover all shades and colors of suits. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our customer service.
When you receive an invitation to an event that includes the words Black Tie, you might panic. What’s potentially even worse is getting an invitation to an event that includes the words Black Tie Optional. You’d like to avoid having to dust off your old tux (or worse) buy a new one, but you also don’t want to be the guy that’s underdressed. And we get it! Wearing a tuxedo requires a bit more effort than does a standard suit. But, we also know that required or not, a well-worn tuxedo is a surefire way to look smart. Just ask James Bond’s long list of lady friends.
We’ve put together this handy how-to to help with those pre-Black Tie blues. Maybe (just maybe) with these style tips, you might even look forward to your next opportunity to wear a tuxedo.
Keep it Classic
The best way to nail this look is to stick with tradition. That means choosing a notch lapel, single-breasted jacket. We’ll leave the other options (shawl, peak, etc.) up to you. For your pants, make sure you’ve chosen a pair with a single silk stripe down the side. In all of this, fit is incredibly important. The shoulders should fit (this isn’t an 80’s Power Suit!) and the jacket should fall neatly against your torso.
Collar and cuffs
In choosing a shirt, opt for a turned down, pointed collar as opposed to a winged collar which are for White Tie events. The difference? With a wing collar, the band of the bowtie is visible. When it comes to your cuffs choose french cuffs and simple, elegant cufflinks. Nothing kitschy. Nothing gold. Stick with silver, black, or white. After all, your cufflinks will be visible as half an inch of your shirt cuff should be visible from underneath your jacket.
Bow ties only
Yes, that means ties aren’t an option. Like we’ve said, the tuxedo is classic. The whole look has gone unchanged (for the most part) for decades. Why disrupt things now? If you don’t have experience tying a bow tie, opt for the pre-tied version. But do not (we repeat, do not!) buy a clip-on.
Shine your Shoes
Polished Oxfords are really the only way to go. If you must, patent leather is acceptable but a shined shoe can really pull your outfit together. Avoid tassels or elaborate stitching and never, ever try to make a statement by pairing your tuxedo with a pair of trainers.
Cummberbund, Vest or Neither
We say go for a vest or neither. Cumberbunds are outdated and look out of place…unless you’re at an opera. Some people think that the allure of a tuxedo is ruined if it’s only two pieces. To that, our response is simple: Bond…James Bond.
All About the Accessories
Okay, it’s not all about the accessories but too many (or one or two that are too bold) can easily ruin your black tie look. DO wear tall silk or cashmere black socks. DON’T wear a top hat or gloves. DO add a simple silk white handkerchief or pocket square. DON’T wear a sports watch or an otherwise chunky or overly noticeable one.
ALL IN ALL, styling a tuxedo should one of the priorities of every man.
