We’re getting ready to blog our second to last wedding of the year! It’s so hard to believe how fast this year went!! As things start settling down around here, I’m excited to start sharing educational posts on the blog again. I’m especially looking forward to a new series on the blog: Tips for Grooms! The idea actually came from Jay. He was checking out the bridal guide that I send out to brides in their welcome packages after our couples book and Jay asked why we don’t have one for the grooms! I don’t know how I never thought of that before, but it’s on the list for a winter project. So 2018 grooms, you can look out for that in your mailboxes early next year. In the meantime, though, I thought I’d start sharing some useful content for grooms right here on the blog!
Something that Jay and I have noticed at many of the weddings that we capture is that not all suits and tuxes are made the same. Am I right? I don’t know about you, but when a groom and his groomsmen show up in suits and tuxes that fit them WELL, I’m so impressed! It makes such a world of difference in how the guys feel, how comfortable they are, and let’s face it – how good they look in those bridal party photos, ha! We realize it’s not easy to find suits and tuxes that fit everyone, so today I’m sharing some tips to help the guys make sure they look their best.
3 Signs Your Wedding Suit or Tux Doesn’t Fit
You’ve checked nearly every box off your wedding planning list of to-dos. Everything is ordered, all deposits are put down, and the bride has one last dress fitting before the big day. Well, almost everything is checked off. Something I notice that is often overlooked is the tuxedo for the groom and his groomsmen. Tailored or not, it’s rare to attend a wedding where the men are all clad in tuxedos and suits that fit them like gloves.
According to the fit experts, part of the issue is that men are simply used to ill-fitting, loose clothes, so when something actually fits them properly, it feels too small. The first step to finding your goldilocks suit is of course to find a local tailor you trust. Ask them the most common problems when it comes to fit and gauge credibility based on their answers and experience.
Another option is one we have the Internet to thank for. You can now rent online, which seems like a big risk, but companies like The Black Tux ease the worries of consumers with fit specialists, online tools to help you measure yourself, and free home home try-ons of their wedding suit and tuxedo collection. This also seems like a good option for guys who don’t really want to or can’t take the time to go somewhere to get their suit taken care of.
You also need to make sure you know your measurements to give your tailor or retailer a baseline to work from, so do your research and measure your neck, shoulders, chest, sleeve, waist, and inseam.
In the end, guys need to know what looks and feels right so they’ll know if the adjustments tailors (online or in person) make are the right ones. You have the last say and need to be your own expert in fit. So, how do you know if your suit fits are not? Here are the most common signs to look (and feel) for.
Signs of an Ill-Fitting Suit or Tux
When you’re trying to figure out whether or not a suit fits, make sure you’re standing in a natural stance, meaning standing up straight in the shoes you’ll be wearing on wedding day, arms are at their relaxed state at your sides. This posture may feel forced, but it’s your body’s baseline and your tux has to fit you when you’re standing this way.
Sign 1: Seam Strain
Does your jacket sag or make an X around the button closure? Then your suit doesn’t fit. The shoulder of your suit or tux jacket should act like a puzzle piece for your actual shoulder. In other words, the seam should sit right above the spot where your arm and shoulder meet. Your tux should not extend beyond your shoulder’s edge, and it also shouldn’t have to stretch and force your jacket to ripple or open wider.
Sign 2: Sleeve Twists
Your shirt (or jacket) isn’t an ice cream cone, so don’t let it twist! Wrinkled spirals around the sleeve are signs of incorrect length and angle construction in reference to your stance. Your shirt sleeves should hit your wrist and extend just beyond your jacket’s sleeve by no more than a half-inch. If you’re wearing cufflinks, you need to make sure your shirt has a French Cuff sleeve, which is a double piece of fabric folded over on itself and secured with cuff links.
Sign 3: Drop Crotch
I’m not sure how this was ever a trend, but thankfully its moment has passed. Your trousers shouldn’t bag or sag — the back should be a smooth drape across the form of your rear end, and it should feel slightly loose against your underwear. If they’re too tight, you’ll get horizontal lines right under your rear.
As for trouser length, again look for a gentle drape over the top of your shoes and above your heel. You shouldn’t be able to see your socks, and there shouldn’t be too much fabric bunching around your shoe — just one small wrinkle is ideal.
If you look out for these 3 areas, you’ll be on your way to a fabulously-fitting suit or tux that’ll move for rather than against you on your big day.
Learn More
If you’re looking for a reliable place to rent suits and tuxedos that fit, check out The Black Tux. Several of our grooms and their groomsmen wore them this year and we were so impressed with the quality and with how well they fit! Check out how great these guys look:
Thank you for stopping by the blog today! For more tips for your wedding day click here.
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