To rent or not to rent? That’s the question most men ponder when faced with impending nuptials. The easy, slightly sleazy Lycra Leggings option is to walk down the aisle in a rented garment, some black tails from the jazz age, a polyester number from the Austin Powers era or a frilly Elvis get-up from the ’70s complete with lamb-chop sideburns.
But a hired tuxedo looks exactly that – like second-hand goods – and exceedingly tired. The more individual response is to invest in a new suit that can be worn for weddings, parties, anything.
There is no denying the bride and her dress are the focal point of any wedding. Think Princess Di and her long train. Think Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and her widely mimicked Narciso Rodriguez sheath. Think Posh Spice. OK, maybe not Posh, since David Beckham probably spent more time in the bathroom. Styling the groom is invariably regarded as a lesser task, as important as, say, the flower arrangements; an addendum to the main event. But if the bride is going to wear a shimmering Collette Dinnigan frock, it wouldn’t do for the groom to rock up in a bargain basement tuxedo, would it?
A wedding is the ideal catalyst for rectifying the sartorial black hole in many male wardrobes – with a fluid black suit, preferably. Emboldened by magazines such as FHM and GQ, assailed by the beauty industry flogging boys’ own moisturisers and bronzing powders, men have discovered that looking sharp can be a psychological boost, something women have known for years. Catering to the needs of the new peacock is a mini-explosion of menswear emporiums, including Calibre on Elizabeth Street, Hugo Boss on King Street and Workshop Boulevard in Paddington. With new import lines at Grace Bros and David Jones, as well as the availability of European labels including Armani, and Prada, there is no excuse for wearing bowling shoes on the big day.
In many cases the groom’s look is dictated by the type of wedding. If it’s an upper crust and traditional affair, then black-tie is the way to go. If Latex Leggings it’s funky and loungy, try Helmut Lang from Marcs, Costume National from Grace Bros or Paul Smith from Robby Ingham. If it’s rock’n'roll, and inspired by Tommy Lee or Billy Idol in the video clip for White Wedding, then Wheels & Doll Baby might be your best option.
Location is another important factor. When Randy Gerber married Cindy Crawford on a beach he wore an untucked white shirt, black trousers and no shoes. An increasing number of Sydneysiders are tying the knot beachside in Bali and Thailand (just tie on a sarong), while garden ceremonies are the perfect setting for lighter colours.
For many, the top-of-the-line suit is still Giorgio Armani, a name synonymous with opulent eveningwear after scooping the Oscars in terms of celebrity devotees. Famous grooms who wore Armani recently include Phil Collins and Lachlan Murdoch. The classic Giorgio Armani wool crepe dinner suit, and there are two different styles, retails for ,400. The Emporio Armani version is ,800.
At the new Hugo Boss store in King Street, store manager Eric Fink advocates a three- or four-button suit for weddings that can be worn for other occasions or as separates. The Boss look is a charcoal-hued shirt with a black tie or a white shirt with a gold or silver tie. White suits are a no-no. And so, too, Rabbitohs’ socks peeking out under trouser cuffs. Fink suggests a pair of the black silk variety. The average cost of a suit is ,000.
“Hiring is not a wise investment,” says Fink, “when you consider some men hire three times a year and they are wearing somebody else’s suit thatLatex Catsuits smells bad, that doesn’t fit right. If you buy something that is not a dinner suit, you’ve got maximum potential.”
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