WELL GROOMED

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Not sure where to start with your groom’s ensemble? Here’s our rundown of the leading looks for the man of the moment

words Hannah May

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COUNTRY CHARM

Country gents have never been so cool. Whether you’re tying the knot in a rustic barn, throwing a festival-style celebration in a field, or hosting a party in a country house, achieving the pastoral look is as easy as it is en vogue.

Suits in earth tones (sage, chestnut, rust) and tweeds are a top contender, while patterns such as checks, herringbone and windowpane continue to captivate tailors. Sustainable is an additional element, so add something vintage, vegan or ethically sourced for extra kudos.

Florals are another mainstay. Flash some flower power with a few features such as prints on the inside of your jacket, shirt, waistcoat, tie, pocket square or bow tie. Go statement with a single bold ’70s floral print spliced into a muted outfit, or lend a little interest with a botanical detail. Complete your ensemble with brogues, braces and a dried or wild flower boutonniere with a twine-wrapped pin – and voilà: ‘cottagecore’ has received a contemporary and very dapper makeover!

1. The Vintage Suit Hire Co. vintagesuithire.co.uk 2. Torre at Little Anne-Maids littleanne-maids.co.uk 3. Twisted Tailor twistedtailor.com 4. Holly Young hollyyoung.co.uk 5. Ted Baker tedbaker.com 6. Emma Hewlett Floral Design emmahewlett.co.uk 7. Theory theory.com 8. Skopes at Little Anne-Maids littleanne-maids.co.uk 6.

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A go-to for spring and summer nuptials, pastel shades are an easy-onthe-eye, versatile and super-stylish choice. Sport a pale chalky shade via your entire suit, or select an item or two to effortlessly spruce up and individualise your grooms wear.

Wedding world is currently crushing on pale lilac, powder blue, candy pink and mint green. Work them into your three-piece, buttonhole, tie, or don a pair of pastel-hued shoes for instant panache.

1. Duke & Dexter dukeanddexter.com 2. Zebel Bespoke zebel.co.uk 3. ASOS asos.com 4. Ted Baker tedbaker.com 5. Mrs Bowtie mrsbowtie.com 6. Simon Carter at John Lewis johnlewis.com

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SMOOTH OPERATOR

You can’t beat black tie for a smart sense of occasion. While designers continue to experiment with silhouettes, the classic slim-cut black suit/crisp white shirt/bow tie combination remains as debonair as ever.

Having said that, you can adapt the look to, well… suit. Double-breasted is back with a vengeance, as is tightly tailored with clean lines or relaxed, wider-fit silhouettes. Then there’s the timelessly stylish tux. Modernise it with an all-white tuxedo coat paired with black trousers for country club chic, choose a velvet tux (in a shade of midnight blue or ruby), throw in some pinstripes or go minimal in monochrome. So long as it’s your take on a trend, it’ll be forever ‘you’.

1. The Grooms Room Plymouth the-wedding-company.co.uk 2. Torre at Little Anne-Maids littleanne-maids.co.uk 3. Charles Tyrwhitt ctshirts.com 4. John Lewis johnlewis.com 5. Twisted Tailor twistedtailor.com

THE BRIGHT STUFF

Bold and daring are the leading colour keynotes as grooms step out of the shadows and into the limelight. Rock anything current, including metallics in gold and silver, brights (or what Pantone refers to as ‘Power Surge’) – such as shocking red, electric blue, zesty lime and tangerine orange – or even acid tones of neon pink and lemon yellow.

Colour blocking, bright striped or printed blazers create extra edge, or you might prefer to incorporate some striking shades into the minutiae. Either way, pick a palette that’s as uniquely reflective of your personality as it is of the sartorial moment.

1. Adam Waite adamwaite.co.uk 2. Happy Socks at John Lewis johnlewis.com 3. Mrs Bowtie mrsbowtie.com 4. Not on the High Street notonthehighstreet.com 5. Ferguson Nash fergusonnash.co.uk 6. Paul Smith at John Lewis johnlewis.com 7. Twisted Tailor twistedtailor.com

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EASY BREEZY

Men’s fashion is enjoying a maritime moment. Shades of blue are both breezy and traditional, moving from baby tones towards the darker side of midnight. Think woven suits in dark or navy blue with white accents, or a sharp bright blue three-piece, sweetened with a blush tie.

For a more casual beach-inspired look go for sand coloured chinos or a neutral or caramel linen suit, while Hawaiian prints and accessories evoke more playful and laid-back vibes.

Alternatively, channel what some are calling your inner ‘shipster’ and weave a nautical feel into your ensemble with Breton stripes, sailor shirts and anchor motifs. Ahoy, indeed!

1. Charles Tyrwhitt ctshirts.com 2. Ted Baker tedbaker.com 3. Skopes at Little Anne-Maids littleanne-maids.co.uk 4. M&S marksandspencer.com 5. Chambers & Beau chambersandbeau.com 6. Justin Duance justind.co.uk

WORKING THE GROOM

Top picks for the man of the moment

words Hannah May

SUITS YOU, SIR

Calling all grooms! Little Anne-Maids is the go-to place for every element of your outfit, whether you’re building your ensemble from scratch or looking for those all-important final flourishes. Combining personal tailoring with an extensive range of suit hire and retail services, their formal hire options feature the county’s largest choice, from lounge suits to traditional tailcoats, dinner jackets, tuxedos, highland wear, and a staggering 150 styles of waistcoat, including tweed. Expect a huge assortment of cuts, colours and looks from designers including Torre, Peter Posh, Heirloom Waistcoats and Skopes alongside a full range of neckwear and accessories to buy or hire that includes their Cornish tartan range of cufflinks, ties, cravats, braces, pocket squares and bow ties.

Style out your suit with a dapper pair of brogues, kit out your groomsmen with a swoon-worthy suit that’ll perfectly complement the man of the moment, or stock up on some gifts to say thank you to your wedding party.

Whether your big day look is timeless or fashion-forward – from debonair velvet jackets and bow ties to rustic tweed ensembles, jacquard waistcoats and slim-fitting suits – the knowledgeable team will help you achieve a dashing, aisle-ready look. littleanne-maids.co.uk

WHAT LIES BENEATH

Luxury loungewear and undergarments aren’t just for the ladies. To ensure that grooms are dressed for all occasions, Hamilton & Hare’s Savile Rowtrained designers have created a super-comfy and stylish wedding boxer that’ll look and feel as good as the rest of your outfit.

Made from premium grade pinpoint textured weave cotton, the shorts come in a crisp, clean white with a slimline tailored cut to ensure they won’t ruin the line of a suit when worn underneath. Luxe touches such as a mother-of-pearl button fly combine with complimentary monogramming with either the bride’s initials or the wedding date for extra personalised panache. Hamilton & Hare’s collection includes everything from terry joggers and sweatshirts to T-shirts, robes and slippers for grooms seeking stylish loungewear for the honeymoon and beyond. hamiltonandhare.com

TIE THE KNOT

They say it’s all in the detail – and Sarah Beresford’s embroidered ties and bow ties are stylish proof of the fact. Fusing classic style with a whimsical twist, each individually embroidered item is created using traditional methods from English spun silk, organza and velvet, all exclusively crafted in small runs. Hearts, stripes and daisies are a few of the delicate designs currently available, which are presented in a beautiful gift bag or box, providing an ideal keepsake for your groomsmen to boot. sarahberesford.co.uk