My Fabulous Day

Perfectly Suited

 

These head-to-toe tips will ensure your 

guy’s big-day look is tailor-made.

Smooth Operator 

A properly fitted tuxedo jacket lies smoothly

from shoulder to shoulder across the back,

with enough room for comfortable arm

movement, (have your groom-to-be give you a

hug to gauge his comfort level). If the shoulder

padding extends beyond his shoulders, the

jacket is too big; if the jacket creases in the

back, it’s too small.

Vested Interest

Formal dressing requires that the waist of a

man’s trousers never be exposed. If your
guy opts to wear a vest, he should leave the

bottom button undone (the portly King Edward

VII started this trend at the beginning of the

20th century). If your groom chooses to wear

a cummerbund instead, make sure the pleats

face up.

Com-Pleat Package

If your fiance is tall and slim, flat-front trousers

are a great pick; they’re cut slimmer through

the legs and hug the hips nicely. Traditional

pleated pants have a more relaxed fit, making

them ideal for huskier body types. The pants’

crease should cross the middle of his kneecap,

and any pockets should lie flat against the leg if
they gape open, he needs a larger size.

Great Lengths

The standard length for men’s formal-wear

trousers is approximately one and three quarter

inches from the floor (shoes on); the

pant legs should break on the top of the shoe

and angle slightly downward in back.

Hot Under the Collar

If your guy complains that dress shirts are

uncomfortable, his shirt may simply fit poorly.

Have him do the finger test: When his shirt is

buttoned to the top, he should be able to slip

his forefinger between the shirt’s collar and his

neck. If more than one finger fits, the shirt is too

big: if his finger doesn’t fit at all, it’s too small.

Tying the Knot

Long ties are a popular choice in formal-wear

today; just make sure the tie is not so long that

it peeks out from the bottom of your groom’s

vest. If he plans on wearing a bow tie, remind

him that the wings of his shirt collar sit behind -

not atop - the tie.