Groom Style #29: In Love with Gray

Dress Inspiration? A Beaded Reem Acra

Badgley Mischka Randee, $215; Women's shoes/bags: Nina Elga - Steel gray, $89; Reem Acra Wedding Dresses - Wedding Dresses from Fall 2007 |...

My wedding is coming up (as I wrote about last week). So, I thought that I would try to put together a design board for my fiance.

The wedding will be held at a Boston hotel. I chose this dress from Reem Acra over two years ago! I know. I'm not a procrastinator. The wedding will be gray, pink and yellow. Think the Miss Dior Cherie commercials directed by Sophia Coppola. LOVE. For the most part, the wedding has been planned out. But, I haven't had time to purchase my groom's outfit yet!

See what he's going to wear below.

Dolce & Gabbana black polished leather penny loafers at Bluefly, 41 EUR; Cufflinks - Ted Baker Men's Accessories, 50 GBP; Men’s - Omiru: Style for All; Alexander Olch; 9tailors

You'd think that as the co-founder of a custom menswear company I would be able to dream up an amazing outfit. However, this project was not without its challenges. My fiance has very "interesting" taste, which is completely divergent from mine. He has about 10 pairs of velor jumpsuits (and one with the Gucci logo on it) that he wears out regularly. And, despite his usually laid-back demeanor, he's strangely particular when it comes to his clothing. So, for the picky groom, I think it's really important to keep the outfit clean and unfussy especially if you've decided not to rent a tux from a chain store.

The charcoal suit is modern, clean. The two-button is always my go-to choice; it's a more streamlined-look. And, best of all? It's slimming. The tie is made by Alexander Olch. Very luxurious - made from Peruvian Alpaca wool - very pricey, but totally worth it. For the more laid-back guy, leather loafers with no laces is probably the way to go. My groom was adamant about that.

The colorful accents come through in a few places. I'm in love with the cufflinks - gray with pink floral accents! Instead of doing a boutonniere, we are actually doing this pocket square. I love the pink hounds tooth as it really punches up the color of the suit. Finally, the shirt pulls the whole look together. He's chosen (all by himself) a textured white shirting fabric with a light-pink gingham accent. The pink accent will remain hidden inside the collar band and cuffs. When he lets loose though during the reception that pink gingham will peak out just a bit!

Let me know what you think. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Need help styling your groom? E-mail us at weddings@9tailors.com.

Groom Style #27: Orange you in love?

Dress inspiration? Essence of Australia Gown

Dress: Essence of Australia; Shoes: Betsy Johnson via Zappos

So, I have to apologize again for not posting in over a week. We've been very busy running around New York City and Boston for the 9tailors Custom Apparel Event. If you haven't had a chance to check it out, you can still help dress your groom on Saturday, June 27.

Anyway, on to our next beautiful bride, Becky. Becky and her fiance, Gord, will be married in July 2010 in London, Ontario. Yep. That's right. BB&T has gone international now. She describes her wedding as formal to semi-formal. Her Essence of Australia gown above will be perfect as she says her vows in a romantic, bloom-filled courtyard. She wants something unique, which is why she has turned to Snippet & Ink's cobalt and orange inspired wedding she saw a few months ago. Let's see what he's going to wear...

Suit: Ted Baker via Zappos; Shoes: Grenson via Gimme Shoes; Boutonniere: Rosenow Floral; Cuff links: David Donahue via Nordstroms; Tie: Bowties.com; Belt: Tie Ups via Nordstroms; Watch: Toy Watch via Jules; Passport Holder: WalletB

Since Becky describes Gord as being casual with some edge, I think that this slim, navy suit from Ted Baker is a perfect fit for him. If you haven't shopped Ted Baker, I suggest you start now. Modern, city-chic pieces - very Londoner. This particular suit is from the Zappos awesomely well-priced suit collection. On to the accent pieces. The cobalt and orange accessories really punch up the more somber mood of the suit. Blue, patent leather shoes from Grenson are the perfect touch to his outfit. I didn't want to go too edgy with all the pieces, so I kept the tie on the more traditional side. The tie has a small, blue paisley pattern on a tangerine background. I love the brightly colored belt made with recyclable materials. I also think that the cuff links and toy-like watch add a playful touch to the outfit. If you don't want to go too heavy with the accents, mixing more subtle pieces with the brightly colored ones are also a good idea. While Becky was not sure if she wanted all the groomsmen to sport a boutonniere, I think that this orange boutonniere from the most brilliant boutonniere-maker, Rosen Floral, might change her mind! Lastly, the passport holder and wallet is a beautiful, yet practical gift for the groom for his honeymoon (Please tell him his pants pocket is not an acceptable mode of transporting one of his most important documents). It's also in the perfect shade of cobalt!

Congrats Becky and Gord on their upcoming nuptials!

Like it? Hate it? Leave a comment.

Need help styling your groom? E-mail us at weddings@9tailors.com

Groom Style #25: "High Jinks to Follow"

Dress Inspiration? Le Spose di Gio with a Drop Waist

Dress: Le Spose di Gio via preownedweddingdresses.com; Shoes: Prada via MYFASHIONLIFE

I can't even begin to tell you how much I LOVE this next wedding. Our groom style inquiry comes from Natalie, a beautiful west coast bride. She and her fiance, Wesley (what a cute name!), will be married within a redwood grove at UC Berkeley's Botanical Gardens. Natalie designed all the art work for their invitations using an Art Deco design theme. In the invitation, Natalie also included the words, "dinner, wine and high jinks to follow." Their guests will be asked to play kazoos (amazing!) as the newly married couple recesses. Needless to say this will be a wonderfully whimsical, semi-formal wedding with an art deco twist. So, this is what I came up with...

Suit: Brooks Brothers; Dress Shirt: Ted Baker; Bow tie: Bowtie.com; Vest: TopMan; Pocket Square: Ralph Lauren; Cuff links; Shoes: Bruno Magli

Natalie would like to make the groom men's outfits a little fun without loosing the Art Deco feel to it. Natalie has already chosen a black Brooks Brothers suit, aptly named the "Fitzgerald." I chose a gray dress shirt which softens the stark black suit and also ties in Natalie's wedding colors. It's also a nice twist to the traditional white shirt. Now, on to the accessories. The opulence of many pieces made in the Art Deco era might not appeal to Wesley. He's a fairly simple guy. So, a few carefully chosen pieces that only hint at the design theme are all you need. The cuff links and wingtip shoes both have a subtle geometric shape. There are other more elaborate Art Deco motifs such as sweeping curves. So it's more than appropriate to have a paisley bow tie and a decorative pocket square. And lastly, I'm also loving the black vest, which ties together the whole 1920s-with-a-modern-twist look.

Don't forget to leave a comment!

Need help styling your groom? E-mail us at weddings@9tailors.com.

Groom Style #22: Singapore Slingers

Dress Inspiration? Vera Wang Silk & Organdy Gown

Dress: Vera Wang; Shoes via Browns Fashion

Last week, I received an e-mail from a beautiful bride, Anyta, creator of The Artsy Bride blog. When I found out that she was wearing a dress similar to one above, I almost clapped with excitement! I absolutely adore all the feminine ruffles and organdy layers (*sigh). Her ceremony will take place in a Catholic Church. Then, the happily married couple will celebrate with their guests at an evening BBQ. The best part? Everything is taking place in Singapore! This is the perfect backdrop to their brown, orange and turquoise wedding. So gorgeous. Here's what I came up with for her athletic groom.

Suit pants and jacket: John Lewis; Tie: Hickey; Watch: Burton; Pocket Square: Hermes via Uncrate; Belt: Ted Baker; Shoes: John Lewis

Anyta's groom, Gurmit, prefers khaki in lightweight fabrics, so I selected a mocha colored suit in a silk-linen blend. Not only will this keep Gurmit looking stylish, but also cool in Singapore's tropical heat. Since their morning ceremony will take place in a more traditional environment, I would include a tie and boutonniere in orange, beige and turquoise. The square face of the gunmetal-colored watch keeps the suit from looking too traditional. At the ceremony, Gurmit can shed the tie and boutonniere. Instead, he should pick up the most amazing zebra print Hermes pocket square. I can't believe that I found it in Anyta's wedding colors! Lastly, Gurmit can wear a pair of handmade calf-leather shoes, which pulls the entire look together.

Don't forget to leave a comment!

Need help styling your groom? E-mail us at weddings@9tailors.com.