Wedding Suit Advice Please
Discussion
Hello chaps,
Getting married in February and unfortunately owing to being somewhat of a cunctator I've not yet sorted a suit. As such, I would appreciate some advice.
I'm not looking at spending silly money (ideally <£500 but up to £800 max) as I'll be treating my best man (my cousin) to the same. Is it traditional in the UK for the ushers (I have two) to also wear the same?
Colour I'm not sure about. Black is too severe. Blue seems a bit too trendy (though may work in darker shades), perhaps grey?
We're getting married in Edinburgh (OH is Scottish) so a touch of tartan somewhere would be nice. Options are the waistcoat or the tie.
I'm based in London/Essex so would appreciate any recommendations. I was considering waiting until the Jan sales but I'm rather concerned we'll end up with nothing.
I've short listed Ted Baker, Paul Smith and even M&S. I know Charles Tyrwhitt are well regarded for shirts, does anyone have experience of their suits?
All advice appreciated.
Getting married in February and unfortunately owing to being somewhat of a cunctator I've not yet sorted a suit. As such, I would appreciate some advice.
I'm not looking at spending silly money (ideally <£500 but up to £800 max) as I'll be treating my best man (my cousin) to the same. Is it traditional in the UK for the ushers (I have two) to also wear the same?
Colour I'm not sure about. Black is too severe. Blue seems a bit too trendy (though may work in darker shades), perhaps grey?
We're getting married in Edinburgh (OH is Scottish) so a touch of tartan somewhere would be nice. Options are the waistcoat or the tie.
I'm based in London/Essex so would appreciate any recommendations. I was considering waiting until the Jan sales but I'm rather concerned we'll end up with nothing.
I've short listed Ted Baker, Paul Smith and even M&S. I know Charles Tyrwhitt are well regarded for shirts, does anyone have experience of their suits?
All advice appreciated.
I got a Tyrwhitt suit for my wedding last year. Around £600 from memory. 100% wool, tailored fit, half canvas construction, did the job nicely. I've worn it a couple of times since and I'm still impressed bit the fit and quality for the price.
From the others you've listed, I'd avoid Ted Baker like the plague. I don't mind their casual stuff, but the formal wear has become far too 'on trend' in the last couple of years. The UltraUltraSlimSkinnyBeardyHipsterOnly cut and shiny materials will leave you looking like a mobile phone salesman.
From the others you've listed, I'd avoid Ted Baker like the plague. I don't mind their casual stuff, but the formal wear has become far too 'on trend' in the last couple of years. The UltraUltraSlimSkinnyBeardyHipsterOnly cut and shiny materials will leave you looking like a mobile phone salesman.
Very dark navy is always nice.
I buy Tyrwhitt's 'nice' range for my day to day suits. They're £399 plus the waistcoat, so about £480. They fit me very well - as well as MTM generally - but that's just luck obviously.
I would recommend them.
They also do morning dress if you wanted to wear that. Oh, and yes the ushers are traditionally dressed per the wedding party. Keep the tartan to the tie.
Finally - Paul Smith's suits are pretty good. They're quite expensive though, and while their 'secret' sale shop in London is pretty good you'll not find two (or four) the same.
I buy Tyrwhitt's 'nice' range for my day to day suits. They're £399 plus the waistcoat, so about £480. They fit me very well - as well as MTM generally - but that's just luck obviously.
I would recommend them.
They also do morning dress if you wanted to wear that. Oh, and yes the ushers are traditionally dressed per the wedding party. Keep the tartan to the tie.
Finally - Paul Smith's suits are pretty good. They're quite expensive though, and while their 'secret' sale shop in London is pretty good you'll not find two (or four) the same.
I hired in the end after much searching and wanting 4 suits.
I went with Jeff Banks via Debenhams where they measure you up and alter the suits specifically for you; I found the quality and fit very good.
http://www.debenhams-formalhire.com/
I went with Jeff Banks via Debenhams where they measure you up and alter the suits specifically for you; I found the quality and fit very good.
http://www.debenhams-formalhire.com/
Going through something similar just now for an April wedding.
I am in a Kilt so have had one made in my tartan, but the father of the bride is English (we are getting married in England) and he wants to wear a morning suite (Tails etc) but my dad isnt a fan of kilts, he prefers a suit, but is worried that he will look short in the morning suit, so would prefer a normal day suit (a nice one though) so my Fiancee is getting a bit stressed by it all.
However with regards to Tartan splashed about, i would suggest the Tie for the male members of the party, and maybe a pocket handkerchief in tartan too. easy way to tie it all together without looking like a paint chart.
Trews however....no.
I am in a Kilt so have had one made in my tartan, but the father of the bride is English (we are getting married in England) and he wants to wear a morning suite (Tails etc) but my dad isnt a fan of kilts, he prefers a suit, but is worried that he will look short in the morning suit, so would prefer a normal day suit (a nice one though) so my Fiancee is getting a bit stressed by it all.
However with regards to Tartan splashed about, i would suggest the Tie for the male members of the party, and maybe a pocket handkerchief in tartan too. easy way to tie it all together without looking like a paint chart.
Trews however....no.
You should really wear a morning suite.
Ede and Ravenscroft will do a nice one around about the top end of your budget. Otherwise, rent one from Moss Bros.
Here is some help...
http://www.debretts.com/weddings/bridal-and-dress-...
Ede and Ravenscroft will do a nice one around about the top end of your budget. Otherwise, rent one from Moss Bros.
Here is some help...
http://www.debretts.com/weddings/bridal-and-dress-...
http://www.ashworthandbird.com/index.php/made-to-m...
I had a couple made for my wedding very happy with quality and fit. Depending on materials I think they start around about £600 for a two piece.
Had a great time getting measured and picking colours, fabrics and designs, the guy I spoke to was Jamie at the Reigate branch he was brill sorted everything out for me. They can take up to 2 months to make though.
Few pics taken from the day
http://www.gramfeed.com/instagram/tags#robmarriesa...
Rob
I had a couple made for my wedding very happy with quality and fit. Depending on materials I think they start around about £600 for a two piece.
Had a great time getting measured and picking colours, fabrics and designs, the guy I spoke to was Jamie at the Reigate branch he was brill sorted everything out for me. They can take up to 2 months to make though.
Few pics taken from the day
http://www.gramfeed.com/instagram/tags#robmarriesa...
Rob
scanner102 said:
Tyrwhitt shirt, TM Lewin suit and Church's shoes for when I was usher at a mate's wedding. Went down an absolute storm, people noticed and I felt good wearing it.
I recently bought exactly the same combo for a wedding.Went to "That London" and minced about round Jermyn St., spending about a grand on the entire outfit (suit, shoes, s
t, tie, pocket square) I was told that for once, I did not look like "10lbs of s
t shoved into a 5lb bag" 
Thanks for all the good advice. Very much appreciated.
As has been mentioned above, pocket square or tie would add that splash (though I was tempted by a waistcoat).
ShortShift811 said:
I'd avoid Ted Baker like the plague. I don't mind their casual stuff, but the formal wear has become far too 'on trend' in the last couple of years. The UltraUltraSlimSkinnyBeardyHipsterOnly cut and shiny materials will leave you looking like a mobile phone salesman.
I was a little dubious of Ted Baker. Their website didn't fill me with confidence. I agree, all looks rather uber slim fit (and in many instances simply too short!).mr mac i said:
I'd also say hire Kilts but if you think that's too much many kilt hire places will do tartan trousers to replace the kilt which if good can look the business.
If doing tartan look at some of the more modern ones: dark isle for example.
Not being Scottish, I thought it would be too much. It was certainly considered though!If doing tartan look at some of the more modern ones: dark isle for example.
As has been mentioned above, pocket square or tie would add that splash (though I was tempted by a waistcoat).
HD Adam said:
I was told that for once, I did not look like "10lbs of st shoved into a 5lb bag"
t shoved into a 5lb bag" Try Cad and the Dandy.
Made to measure, excellent prices and linings of pretty much anything you could wish for (from plain to tartan to your favourite football shirt). If you're spending money on a suit just for the day, don't go too mad on the design and it's a great suit that'll last for years.
I got married in mine 5 years ago next feb and it still looks brand new. I had the jacket and trousers taken in (a lot) a couple of years ago too.
They also do shirts.
Re ushers - do what you like! I had two best men and we hired suits for them and bride's father that complemented my suit (darker grey rather than mine) and the same colour ties - my tie was different)
Made to measure, excellent prices and linings of pretty much anything you could wish for (from plain to tartan to your favourite football shirt). If you're spending money on a suit just for the day, don't go too mad on the design and it's a great suit that'll last for years.
I got married in mine 5 years ago next feb and it still looks brand new. I had the jacket and trousers taken in (a lot) a couple of years ago too.
They also do shirts.
Re ushers - do what you like! I had two best men and we hired suits for them and bride's father that complemented my suit (darker grey rather than mine) and the same colour ties - my tie was different)
You can get something really nice for that budget even more so in the sales. I don't think any one of the places you mention is above the rest, perhaps try house of Frazer or similar and try on a few. Look for nice touches of quality like opening buttons on the last of the cuffs or pockets tailored into the outer fabric not the lining, ( this is for strength btw) as lining fabric rips easily.
The main thing is the fit though. You want to be comfortable but not look like a cheap suit. When trying it on sit down in it!
The main thing is the fit though. You want to be comfortable but not look like a cheap suit. When trying it on sit down in it!
i would have recommended a made-to-measure tailors such as "a suit that fits" but after all the trouble i had with mine maybe not. To be fair it does now fit me perfectly, 15 months after i first ordered it and 6 months after the wedding... and i have now got an additional free suit by way of an apology... anyway i'd probably say you should get a really nice off the peg suit and take it to a very good tailor to have it amended to fit you properly.
Following on from the above, my best man (my cousin) and I have found a suit.
I went to all the usual suspects and to be honest nothing really stood out. I know it sounds silly but they were all just blue suits that wouldn't look out of place in the office (no st sherlock, what did you expect 
). I also looked at Hugo Boss and Paul Smith but didn't feel their suits justified their price tag (certainly not over and above a decent Charles Tyrwhitt). Nothing much exciting in John Lewis either.
Despite my reservations about Ted Baker (having previously owned their Endurance suits) I've found one that I feel I'm happy with. The fabric is a little different as the blue has a violet check running through it. Makes it stand out a bit more than the normal blue (in a good way!). Found it in the Moss Bros. sale so good value.
I'm not 'powerfully built' so the typically slimmer fit Ted Baker cut is good on me and the suit fits really well.
With this in mind, my original plan was to get a blue/purple tartan waistcoat (as below) and match with a plain tie and white pocket square. Shirt would of course be white with French cuffs.
Rather than the trendier brown shoes as above, I'm favouring black toe cap Oxfords to tone it down a touch.
However, I have a couple of concerns:
1) I wonder if that might be too much and perhaps better going for the normal matching waistcoat of the same design as the suit and a tartan tie. I want the outfit to stand out but not 'too jazzy'. I certainly don't want to look like this clown:
or this:
2) Pure blue/purple tartans are not that easy to find. Many have a touch of green and I'm not sure how well this would match with the suit as a waistcoat (would probably be fine on a small area like a tie).
3) I notice that online places are quoting 4-6 weeks to have a tartan waistcoat made up. I'm getting married on 6th Feb so time is (major) a factor!
Consequently, I wonder whether it is advisable to go for the normal matching waistcoat of the suit and rather a tartan tie such as below:
The other option to so sack it all off and go for a standard navy 3 piece suit from Charles Tyrwhitt and then any tartan tie that takes my fancy.
A further option is simply hire a morning suit from Moss or TM Lewin and be done with it. A splash of tartan to be added as a pocket square perhaps. The advantage of this is that the ushers (of which I have two) will also be coordinated/matched.
I'd really appreciate your opinions as the situation is causing me a lot more angst than I expected (hence posting at 6:00am on a Sunday when I should be in bed!).
Thank you in advance for your input
EDIT: I'm erring towards hiring of morning suits for myself, my cousin (best man) and the two ushers. This way everything will be coordinated and look spot on. Splash of tartan with the pocket square perhaps?
Getting married at the Signet Library in Edinburgh. We can't look ste! I think the formality of the venue demands morning suits.
I went to all the usual suspects and to be honest nothing really stood out. I know it sounds silly but they were all just blue suits that wouldn't look out of place in the office (no s
t sherlock, what did you expect ). I also looked at Hugo Boss and Paul Smith but didn't feel their suits justified their price tag (certainly not over and above a decent Charles Tyrwhitt). Nothing much exciting in John Lewis either.Despite my reservations about Ted Baker (having previously owned their Endurance suits) I've found one that I feel I'm happy with. The fabric is a little different as the blue has a violet check running through it. Makes it stand out a bit more than the normal blue (in a good way!). Found it in the Moss Bros. sale so good value.
I'm not 'powerfully built' so the typically slimmer fit Ted Baker cut is good on me and the suit fits really well.
With this in mind, my original plan was to get a blue/purple tartan waistcoat (as below) and match with a plain tie and white pocket square. Shirt would of course be white with French cuffs.
Rather than the trendier brown shoes as above, I'm favouring black toe cap Oxfords to tone it down a touch.
However, I have a couple of concerns:
1) I wonder if that might be too much and perhaps better going for the normal matching waistcoat of the same design as the suit and a tartan tie. I want the outfit to stand out but not 'too jazzy'. I certainly don't want to look like this clown:
or this:
2) Pure blue/purple tartans are not that easy to find. Many have a touch of green and I'm not sure how well this would match with the suit as a waistcoat (would probably be fine on a small area like a tie).
3) I notice that online places are quoting 4-6 weeks to have a tartan waistcoat made up. I'm getting married on 6th Feb so time is (major) a factor!
Consequently, I wonder whether it is advisable to go for the normal matching waistcoat of the suit and rather a tartan tie such as below:
The other option to so sack it all off and go for a standard navy 3 piece suit from Charles Tyrwhitt and then any tartan tie that takes my fancy.
A further option is simply hire a morning suit from Moss or TM Lewin and be done with it. A splash of tartan to be added as a pocket square perhaps. The advantage of this is that the ushers (of which I have two) will also be coordinated/matched.
I'd really appreciate your opinions as the situation is causing me a lot more angst than I expected (hence posting at 6:00am on a Sunday when I should be in bed!).
Thank you in advance for your input
EDIT: I'm erring towards hiring of morning suits for myself, my cousin (best man) and the two ushers. This way everything will be coordinated and look spot on. Splash of tartan with the pocket square perhaps?
Getting married at the Signet Library in Edinburgh. We can't look s
te! I think the formality of the venue demands morning suits.Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 10th January 07:52
I like that tie and think it would go well with the blue suit (but I am no fashion guru)
However hired morning suits combined with a tartan pocket square would have the wedding party coordinated for considerably less cash layout and look every bit as good if not better.
However, whatever you do get the bride's buy in to it.
However hired morning suits combined with a tartan pocket square would have the wedding party coordinated for considerably less cash layout and look every bit as good if not better.
However, whatever you do get the bride's buy in to it.
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