If your groom decides to purchase rather than rent, then the sky is the limit when it comes to buying a tuxedo or suit. From wild cuts and fabrics to the classic black one button, anything is possible.

There are many variables to consider when choosing a suit: time of day, location of event, themes, etc. Discuss what you both want (and what you don’t want). Your personal tastes will come into play when choosing the attire for the big day.

Suits in particular have gained a lot of attention recently. From Fashion Television to GQ, everyone is excited about the various ways to dress up and dress down a great fitting suit for any occasion. There seems to be no better time to buy than now, but remember to choose wisely when purchasing a formal outfit or suit.

Since formalwear is not a typical daily outfit, most people want to purchase something that will last them at least eight to ten years. Most formalwear specialists will recommend opting for a more classic design to get the most out of your purchase.

From neckties, bowties, cummerbunds, and cufflinks, there seems to be a never-ending selection of accessories that men can choose from. Experiment with your accessories, shop for the occasion, and don’t be afraid to break free from your usual conservative style.

Another option is to pair a classic, basic colored suit with a dressy shirt and accessories. Opting for a suit rather than a tuxedo is a practical choice as you can get a lot more wear out of both the pants and blazer of your suit. Once the big day is over, you won’t need to hang your suit in the back of your closet. Simply pair up dark denim with your suit blazer and you will be set for a casual dinner or outing. So be creative in putting together different outfits with your suit pieces. Opt for suits like Ted Baker’s Passion Kier and Worlds suits (first two suits above) which are great for versatility and easily able to be dressed up or down.

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Purchasing Your Tuxedo

So you are one of the lucky few that have decided to own your tuxedo, you must understand your decision puts you in a very prestigious group with the likes of James Bond, Frank Sinatra and almost every major motion picture actor to ever win an award. Now how do you feel? Where to begin?

Fabric: This is going to be the primary distinguishing factor between a rental and retail garment. Most tuxedos are made of very fine wool’s (often in Super 100’s or better), this is because the tuxedo was meant to be worn on momentous occasions and at those times of your life you want to look your very best. You will find that the tuxedo you are buying will be extremely lightweight and breathable so that you stay comfortable. You have enough on your mind let alone worrying about what you are wearing.

Style: This is completely personal; however, there are a few simple things you should know going into your purchase. First, this garment is going to last you a while (often 5+ years) so make sure the style you choose is something you can live with. Most traditional tuxedos come in 1, 2, 3 button coats and if you are a purest you will want a 1 button without question. You then have three simple lapel choices: a notch, a peak or a shawl. Most formalwear specialty stores will have a selection of these tuxedos for you to look at and try on.

Accessories: Accessories may be the most important part of the process. If your tuxedo is going to last you a while, you don’t want to continually show up in the same outfit time after time. What we recommend is you find a few sets of accessories that say something different about you, maybe one set is red and shows your outgoing side, while the black set shows your traditional classic side. Accessories are a great way to continue to keep that tuxedo current without spending a lot of money.

I know what you’re thinking; isn’t it much cheaper to rent? That isn’t necessarily the case. If a guy is wearing a tuxedo 2 or 3 times in the course of a few years often it works out more cost effective to buy. And if we look at the entire budget of the wedding, even if the groom buys his tuxedo often times it is hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars less than the brides dress alone.

This small piece of information should allow you to feel comfortable buying your first tuxedo, although we are sure you still have questions, a reputable formalwear specialist can answer those questions.

A tuxedo just isn’t me…

Although as an industry we are seeing most grooms opting to wear a tuxedo there are some that are looking for something more casual. This is the perfect opportunity to wear a suit. Perhaps you don’t get dressed up much or that you might just want a new suit. Most formalwear specialists will have a suit to rent however; most men that are looking for a suit for their wedding are looking for something to purchase. 

Although some men may want something a little bit more fashionable for their wedding we generally discourage that. Do you remember looking at wedding pictures from past generations? Ruffled shirts and baby blue were just a couple of pictures that came to mind, you do not want your wedding pictures to stem those same thoughts in your children one day.

So you have bought a dress, booked a venue and picked the flowers. Now it’s time for the guy. In today’s market the guy is making more decisions when it comes to his attire for the wedding day. They are looking at buying, renting, or on some instances both, so the process is not as easy as it once was. With wedding parties getting bigger and bigger many of today’s grooms are planning further ahead, because there are more people to co-ordinate. How to make it easier? Read on for tips on renting your formalwear!

Renting Your Formalwear

The key to having a positive experience while renting your formalwear is to choose a reputable store. As you shop around everyone will try and convince you that they truly are a reputable store, but here are just a few things to look for:

- Service you can rely on

- Well-trained, professional staff

- Attention to detail and quality

- Local warehousing with a large selection of new tuxedos and accessories

- On-site tailoring for any unforeseen problems

If a store can provide these items you know you are in the right place. Now it really comes down to what are the guys going to wear? A good sales associate will ask a few simple questions such as:

- What time of day is your wedding?

- Is it a formal or casual ceremony?

- What are the wedding colours?

These items will help a sales associate determine what type of attire is best suited for your day. There is a big swing back to formality, more grooms want to be completed dressed up. This might include a longer jacket, a vest, a formal tie and a patent shoe.

Jacket styles are going in two directions, more and more jackets are going to basic styles while incorporating nicer details such as linings and fabrics. The other direction is formal coats (longer length primarily), these coats will often fit a bit slimmer to prevent the groom from looking like a tent.

Accessories are becoming increasingly important, gone are the days of a black bow tie and cummerbund as your only choice. In today’s rental market the sky is the limit as far as colour and style go. Jewel tones and earth tones are a huge hit for this wedding season.

We have all heard that shoes make the man, well the statement holds true in the rental game as well. Many men cannot justify owning a pair of patent leather shoes, therefore, why not rent them on your wedding day. A good formalwear store should have numerous styles for you to choose from. Remember that the patent shoe was designed specifically for your tuxedo; it carries the look from your satin lapel to your satin stripe down to your shoes. And if you think people won’t notice you’re wrong! Check back for info on purchasing your wedding attire instead of renting.