Formalwear Basics

Nothing transforms a man more quickly and dramatically than properly placed formalwear. How to get started finding the perfect fit? When choosing a look for the groom and his leading men two rules apply: Formalwear shouldn’t clash with the colors or styles the couple has selected, and it shouldn’t upstage the bridal gown.

The Basics
For highly formal “white tie” affairs (usually evening weddings), choose black tails and matching black pants with a white-piqué, front wing-collar shirt, white-piqué vest, and bow tie and studs with white stones.

A “black tie” event calls for party wear. Both tuxedos and dinner jackets—light-colored, standard-length coats with dark-colored trousers—fall into this category.

Originally designed for daytime wear, daytime formal attire or a “morning coat” is now acceptable protocol for evening weddings as well. It pairs either a black or gray coat with matching gray- and black-striped pants, a light-gray vest, a gray- and black-striped four-in-hand (standard) tie or ascot tie, and either a collared or wing-collar shirt. The coat is either a “cutaway” with tails or a “stroller” without tails.

What’s In
“Today’s styles range from hip new styles from Marc Ecko in a bold pin-stripe, to a subtle chalk stripe by Ralph Lauren or an unobtrusive black on black tonal stripe as part of Savvi’s Red Sleeve collection,” says Mark Morrow of Savvi Formalwear. For an outdoor or destination wedding in a tropical locale, Morrow suggests formalwear “in softer shades with a linen-like appearance, but a classic is always in style.”

The epitome of men’s formalwear, Morrow says, is the classic “‘Fred and Ginger’ look, white tie and tails for the most formal of evening events.”

Accessorize
“Accessories are where a man can show his true colors,” says Morrow. “A full-back vest and tie let a gentleman place his own signature on his formal ensemble.”

While available in a host of colors, today’s most appealing accessories are those containing a very simple pattern, appearing almost solid from any distance.

To Rent or to Buy
If you don’t already own a tuxedo, but attend three or four formal events per year, now may be the perfect time to spring for one of your own.

Tuxedo prices begin in the $300 to $500 range; renting will cost about 10 percent of the purchase price.

Some rental shops offer deals such as a free rental tux for the groom with a wedding party of five or more paid rentals.

Savvi even throws in two vouchers for airfare up to $300 for the bride and groom as an added incentive. For offer terms and conditions visit One of Savvi’s nine Twin Cities locations or savviminnesota.com.