Farewell...!

Thank you so much for visiting this blog!

Please note that we are no longer writing for this blog. But, if you need general fashion tips or inspiration, head over to the 9tailors blog here or go to our Pinterest page here.

The Polished Prep #3 by Providence Classic

Hello, York Harbor! Anneke and Austin are planning a nautical-inspired wedding next summer at the historic York Harbor Reading Room. York is a gorgeous, quaint seaside town with beautiful homes and beaches (and one of the world's smallest suspension bridges).


Anneke stated right off the bat that she likes navy suits for the gentlemen. Since Sam and Makiko gave her two fab options with that in mind, I decided to go a different route. Bring on the Nantucket reds! I went all out preptastic, complete with the standard navy blazer, a 9tailors red check dress shirt with adorable anchor fabric insert on the collar and cuffs, and navy blue and white polka dot bow tie. Here, the muted reds coordinate and act as a neutral canvas for the blazer and bow tie to pop against. And since this is a wedding in a New England town with a long fishing history - a J. Crew lobster claw belt and antique-looking rope knot cufflinks are de rigeur (and the perfect groomsmen gifts).

Classic Gucci horsebit loafers - the preppy staple - make an appearance at the church for a formal look. But after the ceremony, why not slip off the jacket, take off the bow tie and throw on these hella chic boat shoes? You're dancing feet will thank you. A classic watch rounds out the look. Finally, this vintage print of the York Harbor Reading Room and cliff would make the cutest Save the Date - happy planning!


xoxo Abbey from Providence Classic

The Polished Prep Option 2

Anneke and Austin will be wed in Maine next summer. And, as you can tell, I've got an anchor theme going.

Anneke describes Austin's style as preppy, but not "pop your collar" prep. I love that he has diverse tastes and feels equally comfortable in Uniqlo basics as he does in Nantucket Reds. So, what do I have in store for Austin? Let's start with the foundation pieces. I chose a solid, navy suit and matching slacks. Just a simple navy suit will do. Then, I think a light blue dress shirt would go very well with the navy suit. Totally classic and formal. Their wedding colors are navy and fuchsia, so it's important to let those colors pop throughout the outfit. I'm totally loving the J. Press tie and silk knot cufflinks. Next, I found the most amazing loafers from Ferragamo. The earthy color is a perfect complement to the navy suit.

Let's talk about the nautical themed goodies. I didn't want to go too overboard or cutesy with the nautical theme. So, I found an anchor tie tack from Giles & Brother that Austin and his groomsmen can wear. Let me tell you girls, tie accessories are back! Next, I found nautical themed socks in gray from J. McGaughlin. Very cute. Lastly, I found awesome thank you cards with navy and fuchsia anchors on them. Yes, it can be customized with your name on them.

Come back tomorrow to see what Abbey of Providence Classic has come up with for the couple.

Hope you enjoyed this design board - Sam

The Polished Prep

Congratulations to Anneke and Austin! I love the idea of a preppy / nautical wedding that is at the same time very elegant and polished.

I picked a beautiful navy suit with the option of either a white or light pink shirt. I really like the snapshot of the light pink shirt, hot pink boutonniere, navy and pink striped tie, and navy suit. Or, for a more classic look, go with white.

I opted for classic New England mother of pearl cufflinks. I think Anneke's idea of thickly striped navy and raspberry ties sounds like a great idea, so I incorporated that as well. But, the best part of this outfit for me are the shoes- check out this navy suede and cognac leather brogues! Simply amazing.

I hope you got some good ideas, and my best wishes for a fabulous wedding!

Sneak Peak: Nautical Wedding in Maine

York Harbor Reading Room

I can't wait to share our next wedding with you. Our couple, Anneke and Austin, will be married at The York Harbor Reading Room in Maine. Anneke describes her wedding as preppy and nautical. Think grosgrain ribbon, galvanized buckets and peonies. Simply amazing....

Find out tomorrow what Austin will wear...

Must Have Mustache

I don't really like mustaches on men. In fact, I'm not big fan of facial hair at all! But, I do love the following mustache themed goodies.

How about a mustache ring with a heart shaped cutout?

Mustache Ring from Isette

Too small? How about a mustache on a handkerchief?

Handkerchief from Avrilloreti

Don't want to look like a bandit? How about a mustache on a stick?

Mustache on a Stick from MaroDesigns

If that's not enough...how about a beard?

Beard on a Stick from MaroDesign

Make it a mustache-y weekend!

A Colorful Affair (Option 3) by Providence Classic

A Colorful Affair by Providence Classic by Providence Classic on Polyvore.com

Rayann and Benny are an off-the-beaten path couple. She's got a custom tea-length dress featuring multi-colored tulle and he's a lover of all things surf and comfort - and that most certainly does not include pants (a true Hawaiian!).

I'm sticking with my fellow bloggers and going with shorts. It's always fun to work with someone with very specific tastes. This Washington wedding-bound couple is having a colorful affair with a laid-back attitude and their ensembles reflect that. Rayann's dress is a mix of jewel-like colors - so I've made his simple for one very simple reason: to let her shine. Navy silk-linen shorts are comfortable and elegant (the dark color raises the formality level - this is a wedding, after all). I've paired them with a white blazer, white 9tailors button down and slim navy tie for a clean, modern look. If that's too monochromatic for you, add in a fun tie or swap out the traditional white shirt for a coordinating patterned button down (I slipped in an alternative for both). For shoes, there's a classic Hugo Boss pair that amp up the elegance or, to go a little different, a funky grey suede shoe from Topman that works with virtually any outfit. No socks allowed!


A little flair? How about a custom Pomp & Plumage boutonniere made of brightly-colored tulle flowers and leaves to match the skirt on Rayann's dress? Genius!


Congrats to the couple! Hope you had a great week. xoxo Abbey of Providence Classic

A Colorful Affair - Option 2

Our next couple, Rayann and Benny, will be wed in a mere 3 weeks!

Here's what I have in store for Benny.

Since Benny hates pants, I decided to go with shorts for this look. But, there's no reason to look sloppy. There are so many clean, sophisticated short designs out there! I've chosen a neutral pair from John Lewis. They're so cute! I love the button details at the waist. A casual blazer is also necessary - it's not too stuffy. I couldn't decide among the red, green or blue gingham, short-sleeve shirts. But, each are a perfect complement to Rayann and Benny's wedding colors. I gave the shoes some thought. I've seen quite a few men wearing dress shoes with their shorts. But, it's not a look that everyone can pull off. And, for a laid-back groom like Benny, dress shoes are not the way to go! So, I have some beige boat shoes (with green striped accents). For Benny, a Hawaiian native, pair of flip flops is a must have! The supple pair are from Olukai Ohana. Love them. They are functional, stylish and comfortable. Speaking of Hawaii, Benny also needs a pair of board shorts!

The accessories are key to keep the outfit fun and unfussy. I have a pair of aviator sunglasses, a straw fedora, and canvas belt.

Lastly, the boutonniere is made of a yellow dahlia. Love the petite petals.

Come back tomorrow to see what Abbey of Providence Classic has come up with for the couple.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite design board! Leave a comment! - Sam

Need help styling your groom? Click here.

A Colorful Affair

Colorful Groom in Shorts by makikoharris on Polyvore.com

Congratulations to Rayann and Benny! Rayann noted that Benny hates pants- so I opted to put him in his favorite style, shorts. He should feel comfortable and good in what he's wearing. For this colorful (Rayann's dress has layers of candy-colored tulle) late-summer wedding, I opted for some linen suit separates with bright accents. I love the fun colors in the face of the watch, which reflects the colors of the gerber daisies that will decorate the ceremony. Solid brown leather shoes and belt anchor the look. The mosaic-style cufflinks and pom-pom yellow flower boutonniere are both so much fun!

The colorful-ness, cheerfulness, and playfulness of this wedding sounds like so much fun. I hope you got some good ideas, and enjoy yourselves!

- Makiko

Sneak Peak: Colorful in Washington

This week's wedding sounds amazing! The couple, Rayann and Benny, will be wed in Washington. She will wear a custom dress inspired by Oleg Cassini. The top layer of the dress is a white sheath material with a green, yellow, blue, purple, pink, orange, and red tulle! I love how unique Rayann's dress sounds!

See what he's going to wear this week.

Gifts for him

It can be so difficult to find cool, fun gifts for the groom. Here are a few ideas for you to mull over. My favorite? The folding bicycle!

Men's shoes: Best of boots | Piperlime, $110
A+R Store - Strida 5.0 Folding Bicycle Product Detail
Mr. Robot Head | Jeff Kleppinger's wish list, $29
A+R Store - Brodmann Blades Ping-Pong Set Product Detail, $100
Teroforma :: Glassware :: Ekke Series :: Ekke Carafe & Tumbler

Hitched in Hawaii Option 3 by Providence Classic

Hitched in Hawaii by Providence Classic by Providence Classic featuring Hugo Boss clothing

Some people just do things the right way. Like Amber and Sean - getting hitched in Hawaii and following it up with a 4-course meal at legendary restaurant Roy's in Waikiki. This is like the greatest date of your life - beautiful location, fabulous clothes, and ridiculous food - only you get to share it with 200 people who you love. Um, can I come?

Amber's dress is raw silk by Lena Medoyeff. The gorgeous church you saw in Monday's post is their ceremony site and part of their color inspiration: muted reds, pinks and ambers with rich wood tones and splashes of vibrant colors. I won't lie - originally I wanted a pair of pale pink linen trousers on Sean. Pink is the color of the sunset, hibiscus and a light sunburn - and it complements the blues of the ocean and sky perfectly. But the look wasn't formal enough for the setting - we need a suit (and a pink suit may be overdoing it). So I went bold and chose this light blue fitted summer suit from Brooks Brothers instead. Too fashion-forward for you? Swap it out with a beige linen suit and keep the rest.

The 9tailors check-print shirt in orange and blue is just right for the setting (in a sea and sunset colorway) and since I'm going big, nothing else will do but a bow tie. Classic cognac-colored leather shoes and belt are simple and ground the look. Throw in antique bakelite cufflinks with the Hawaiian royal crest from the late 1800s and you've got an ensemble fit for a king! Er, groom.

Okay - a Hawaiian shirt is cliche and "old man meets midlife crises and buys a convertible and a trip to the beach." But Hawaiian print board shorts are vintage-looking and totally appropriate! I think the print on this pair is adorable. In fact, I believe a pair is currently en route to Milwaukee. Lastly: the maile lei - or the "lei of royalty," reserved for only the most special occasions. Made from the native Hawaiian vine, maile, the shiny leaves and stems give off a fragrant scent. An elegant and beautiful nod to the island's history.

Aloha! (That's hi and goodbye in Hawaiian!) xoxo Abbey from Providence Classic

Need help styling your groom? Click here!

Amber and Sean are getting hitched in Hawaii! The tropical breeze, palm trees, sunshine, shaved ice. Sounds like, well, paradise.

Here's what he's going to wear. It can be challenging dressing the groom in the tropical heat. So, I chose only lightweight foundation pieces, such as the gray blazer and linen pants. I love gray and neutral tones together. So, you'll see a lot of browns, creams and ivories in this design board. Instead of a long sleeved shirt, I opted for a short-sleeve shirt. Again, pick pieces that are lightweight and won't smother the groom. I've also been enjoying the geek chic moment that guy's are having so, a tropical patterned bow tie in Amber and Sean's wedding colors seems fitting.

Now, on to the fun accessories! I love sandals, but I don't think they really belong in formal wedding photos. Cover those feet, guys! So, instead, I chose shark-gray converse high tops. So, I've found a sophisticated pair of woven sandals and gave Sean the option to change out of sneaks. The belt is also woven (like the sandals). It gives the outfit great texture and dimension. I also love the orange boutonniere. The petite flowers are cute and not too overly feminine.

Sean also needs a canvas bag in a neutral and orange, in case he and Amber decide to escape for a quick getaway to another beautiful, tropical destination for the weekend.

Lastly, I love tropical beach towels. These would make great wedding favors!

Come back tomorrow to see what Abbey of Providence Classic has come up with for the eloping couple.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite design board! Leave a comment! - Sam

Need help styling your groom? Click here.

Groom in Hawaii

Hawaiian Wedding Groom by makikoharris featuring Bulova watches

Congratulations, Amber and Sean! Your wedding sounds awesome.

In this design board, I really focused on the neckwear. With the grey and light orange wedding palette, there is a lot of color you can play with. When Amber mentioned that Sean had a casual style and liked to wear Tommy Bahama, Polo, and Lucky, I immediately thought of how I could incorporate those aesthetics into neckwear. What I came up with was a bit preppy (see the bow ties and see the plaids) yet something a bit more edgy & hip than pink gingham.

For this summer wedding, I set off a beautiful grey suit with bone colored leather lace ups, tiger's eye cufflinks, and a simple white orchid boutonniere. I would have chosen a more colorful boutonniere, but thought that a crisp white bloom would have a more balancing effect with all of the color already in his outfit.

I have both a white shirt and a creamy orange colored shirt. Either could be worn, it's simply a matter of skin tone and how classic you want to look. I think the orange could give a nice pop of color while the white will look great with essentially anything. Your choice!

To top it all off, I chose a beautiful suede-y grey belt that will blend in seamlessly with the other accessories. I also added a sleek silver watch for that extra oomph factor.

Hope you got some great ideas! Congratlations! -Makiko

Sneak Peak: Wedding in Hawaii

Let's meet our bride and groom this week: Amber and Sean. The beautiful couple will be married in Honolulu, Hawaii! How lucky are they!?!

Their May 2011 ceremony will take place here at the Atherton Memorial Chapel.


Find out what he will be wearing this week.

Need help styling your groom? Click here.

Cute Little Bow Ties from Xoelle

We are very pleased to feature Xoelle. They make the cutest bow ties we have ever seen. We can't wait to incorporate these preppy little numbers in our design boards.

Name: Xoelle

Blog: Xoelle.com

Location: Pensacola, FL

Tell us a little bit about yourself. I'm a 31 year old maker of bow ties. I make them out of unloved or abused neckties and button-down shirts- so each one is unique and retains a history.
I'm also an artist, photographer, Mom, adventurer, and cookie-baker.

What do you love about weddings?: What don't I love about weddings? I love the intense joy and hopefulness that is bundled into that day and I love the fuss that everyone makes about everything. Weddings are magical. They are ephemeral but everlasting.

Tell us a little about your work. How would you describe your style?: My bow ties are sentimental. They belonged to someone in another form before being a bow tie. Bow ties in general are classic and preppy, but when non-traditional colors and patterns are thrown in they can become so hip and personal. A bow tie tells that world that this is no ordinary man.

What advice do you have for grooms (and brides) when you are working with them?: There's always a way. Be clear about what you want and then find a way to get it. Working with smaller vendors/handcrafters will allow you to customize every aspect of your day the way you imagine.

Where can a bride/groom purchase your products?: Etsy


Thanks Xoelle for dropping by! Here are some more amazing options.






How amazing are these beauties?

Need help styling your groom? Click here.

Abbey is Moving

Hi guys!

Abbey's moving into a new house this weekend. So, she won't be able to post. In the meantime, enjoy the lovely photo from Xoelle.



How cute are these bow ties? Check Xoelle out here.

Tuscan Style - Option 2

When I read the descriptions of the brides who submit their weddings to this blog, it makes me want to plan my wedding all over again. Such is the case of our next wedding. Michelyn and Cameron will be getting married in Italy. They will be wed in a European style garden and dance the night away under the Tuscan stars. Love.

Anyway, what will her groom wear? Michelyn describes her fiance, Cameron as edgy who tends to wear brands like Affliction and True Religion. So, I chose pieces that reflect his style.

First, I chose a black tuxedo blazer with contrast satin trim from Top Man. The cut is shorter and skinnier than a normal tuxedo jacket. I chose slim fit pants also from Top Man. The chambray shirt has been every where this season for a good reason. It's light-weight and soft. It totally dresses down the tuxedo look. The blue bow-tie and red undershirt is a nod to Michelyn and Cameron's wedding colors. We all want that pop of unexpected color. The patent leather high-tops are one of the coolest things I've seen in awhile. I love the sleek, yet artsy look of the watch and the ring. Cameron will also need a very good travel bag from Marc Marmel for this amazing destination wedding. The leather is not too serious as it is slightly cracked and wrinkled. Finally, Michelyn can get the amazing animal themed shot glasses for Cameron. Quirky. Fun. Who can resist mini antlers? I definitely can't.

Come back tomorrow to see what Abbey of Providence Classic has come up with for the couple.

Don't forget to vote for your favorite design board! Leave a comment! - Sam

Need help styling your groom? Click here.

Tuscan Style

A wedding in Tuscany, how romantic! For this groom, I again opted for a navy linen suit. They are getting married in about one month, so it is sure to be warm weather! Also, I felt that navy blends beautifully with the Tuscan backdrop. I added some vintage accents such as the watch and the cufflink. The boutonniere is a whimsical white feather concoction that will play off of the bride's dress. It might be very sunny, so don't be afraid to wear this on-trend straw fedora after the ceremony. Then, open a bottle of wine, sit back, and soak it all in. I hope you have a fabulous time!

I hope you got some good ideas! -Makiko

Sneak Peek...Romance with an Edge

Let's meet our bride and groom for this week! Michelyn and her fiance, Cameron, will have a beautiful outdoor venue in Tuscany, Italy! Michelyn will walk down the aisle in what she says will be a romantic European garden.

The wow factor doesn't stop at this scenic destination wedding, but wedding guests will be stunned by Michelyn's wedding gown. Cameron will be speechless once he sees his bride in what she describes as a champagne strapless fitted gown topped off with feathers!

What will he wear? Stay tuned to see what our stylists have created!