Suits you, Sir!

Whilst we spend months, if not years, poring over wedding magazines, cutting out images and pressing our noses up against shop windows in our hunt for the perfect dress, the groom gets it easy. He wears a suit. Sometimes a top hat. Done. But what if that’s not your man’s style? What if he’s a laid-back guy or a bit of a rocker, or a metrosexual fashionista? They can get a little neglected in the sea of tulle and silk. Well, just for those men out there who are panicking a bit on the inside, I have hunted down some of the best looks for those fellas who just don’t do formal suits.

As much as I hate to label, it is easier to divide this into key looks. I appreciate that everyone is different and you can’t put people into boxes, but sometimes it’s just more convenient. If you’re a laid-back metrosexual rocker, you can mix and match to find your own unique style. Great. Now we’ve got that out of the way, let’s go.

The Laid-back Guy
Your bride-to-be is running around screaming at you to sort out the invitations for your family. There’s only 11 months left, don’t you know? As she frantically runs to and fro, wedding planner clutched permanently in her grasp, you just lie back and relax. Nothing phases you, yet you are still having niggling worries about wearing a suit. Especially in the summer. On a beach. In Barbados.

Luckily for you, it’s your day and you can wear pretty much whatever you like. Next sells this blue floral casual shirt (above) which is perfect for a beach wedding. The colour reflects the ocean and would go brilliantly with a blue colour scheme. Team with some white linen shorts or trousers for that perfect beach wedding style.

Or you could go wild and try a hawaiian shirt. Karmakula sell a breathtakingly vast range of hawaiian shirts such as this Waikiki style available in red, blue and turquoise.

Add a flower garland and you’re outfit is complete. Now you’d really better get those invites sorted.

The Rocker
Picture the scene: Your soon-to-be wife is walking down the aisle in an amazing red and black creation that she has had custom-made. Slipknot’s “Vermilion pt 2″ is floating through the air as she glides towards you. She spots your trademark long hair, your Iron Maiden tattoo and… your top hat? It just doesn’t work.

For a smart look, try a gothic-esque style of black and red. Debenhams sell a claret paisley shirt. Don’t let the paisley put you off- this pattern is synonymous with Victorian gothic literature- think Dracula and Jekyll and Hyde. Team it with black trousers and shoes with a slight heel. As for the jacket, try Attitude for long gothic coats and jackets.

What if you’re more of an indie rock kind of guy? Team the same shirt with a pair of black skinny jeans and black lo-rise Converse. Accessorise with a studded belt, also available from Attitude, and you are all set.

The Metrosexual Fashionista
When you and your fiancee are getting ready for a night out, it’s her telling you to hurry up. The taxi is outside beeping its horn and you are still only halfway through straightening your hair. So the idea of spending the most important day of your life in a plain grey suit is almost bringing you out in hives.

Topman sells a range of suits and blazers for the fashion-conscious groom. The collection includes this military style blazer with button detailing on the sleeves. For the really brave grooms out there, they also have a Bright Suit collection consisting of, you’ve guessed it, suits in every colour of the rainbow from turquoise to lime green. Finish off the look with a faded-wash retro look t-shirt for a cool, informal look.

If you want something a little smarter, then head to Marc Wallace. They sell informal yet smart suits including a fantastic blue and white striped seersucker- perfect for a vintage seaside feel.

So you see, you don’t have to wear the stuffy formal suits of yesteryear. You can easily incorporate your own style into your wedding day look, and let’s face it, you want to look yourself on your big day. Now let’s just hope you can convince the bride!