STYLE + TRENDS: The Bold Lead

The Bold Lead

When it comes to latest trends in LGBTQ wedding fashions, the conservative follow, the bold lead.

BY JOHN SOTOMAYOR

From the time the Maison Redfern fashion house, founded by English tailor John Redfern in the 1800s, introduced sportswear and tailored suits to women’s clothing, to the time Billy Porter defied fashion norms by wearing a tuxedo gown to the 91st Academy Awards in 2019, gender-bending fashion choices became the signature for the bold fashionista. Nowadays, outdoing others with attention-getting fashion trends has made its way from the red carpet to the wedding aisle. This is especially true for LGBTQ same-sex weddings. Here are some combinations that have garnered the attention of the experts — designers and fashion bloggers.

Let’s begin with the ladies. One of the premier stylists for genderless attire is The Tailory New York. Launched in 2013, they cater equally to men, women, and non-binary individuals. Founder Shao Yang said, “As a pantsuit aficionado and lover of men’s fashion and tailoring, I was always drawn to tailored clothing and strived to create fashion [for women] that conveyed the same message of confidence that a perfectly custom-tailored suit did for men.”

Three of the top lesbian and non-binary wedding outfits that The Tailory New York recommends right now are:

The tailored three-piece suit. Considered a classic that never goes out of style, the three-piece suit worn by both brides sends an eye-catching statement, especially when custom-tailored for the suit that fits the body to a fault.

Rocker tuxedo and sheer blouse. The Tailory recommends, “the modern tuxedo look merits an unconventional shirt. Inspired by women who rock, [their] sheer tuxedo blouse is destined to be worn by a bold and daring bride … For maximum impact, wear your sheer tuxedo blouse with a subtly patterned tuxedo in a dark and glitzy hue — think glossy blacks, midnight blues, and rich burgundies.”

Silk slip dress and beaded blazer. For those who want to “strike a perfect balance” between masculine and feminine, as well as fans of both wedding dresses and suits, The Tailory recommends mixing both. “We recommend going with a form-fitting slip dress in ivory or blush silk that will flatter your body to perfection. Pair it back to a delicately beaded blazer for a dramatic, structural statement piece that will wow everyone in attendance.”

Now for the men. One of the hottest new menswear “designed to pave the way for luxury fashion” is Sebastian Cruz Couture. Also launched in 2013, Sebastian Cruz Couture states they do not follow trends, they pave the way for them. Their credo is: the conservative follow, the bold lead.

Here are some of the leading styles for men’s wedding attire, according to Sebastian Cruz Couture:

Bold color and pattern combination. The traditional black tux is boring. It says the wearer has no imagination. To stand out, Sebastian Cruz offers a series of memorable eye-catching jackets that commands attention. Try the Navy-Blue Paisley, Champagne Oro Fiore, S by Sebastian Zar Reale, or Zar Mezzanotte jackets.

Assertive accessories. Match the jacket of your choice with a waistcoat. Double breasted or Ciottoli waistcoats command the room. Add a butterfly bowtie or Canestro necktie and signature cufflinks to complete the look.

One of the best guides to LGBTQ+ wedding suits and wedding attire comes from Jennie Crate Photography. Jennie met her wife when she was 21 and a senior in college. They were met by challenges from the people around them. When it came time to plan their wedding, Jennie says they “were purposefully very intentional about the people they invited.” They built a guest list “with the people who were there for us, who answered the phone when we needed it, and who showed up to celebrate US and the beautiful life we had created together.” Realizing the importance and uniqueness of LGBTQ+ weddings, Jennie comprised a list of resources to help others plan their best wedding. Here are some that stood out for wedding attire:

Custom Suits. “Bindle & Keep has been at the forefront of suit making for all body types for close to a decade. After a horrifically uncomfortable suit fitting appointment in a men’s suit shop, co-owner Rae Tutera realized there was a huge need for a suit experience for people whose bodies weren’t cisgender male. Shortly after, Tutera met suit maker Daniel Freidman, and Bindle & Keep was born. Check out the 2016 HBO documentary, ‘Suited’, about their business.”

Also on the list, “A queer-owned company based in Hollywood, Sharpe Suiting now has extension sites in Charlotte, Houston, Tampa, and Chicago. Through their passion to serve the community, they’ve donated nearly 100 suits to LGBTQ youth centers, non-profit fundraisers, colleges, and queer prom students across the country.”

Online Options. Little Black Tux is a father-daughter owned company that serves “the growing market of women and non-binary customer looking for high-quality tuxedos. Tired of seeing customers stuck with boxy, masculine styles that were never designed for them in mind, they took on the formal wear market with a vengeance. They named the company Little Black Tux in homage to both the classic ‘little black dress’ and the LGBT community whose needs, styles, and bodies deserve to be included in formal wear design. They source fabrics and create designs that are built for women and gender fluid shoppers.”

Casual. Wildfang is female-founded; woman-run. “In 2013, we set out to create a home for bad-ass womxn everywhere. It started with the ‘radical’ belief that a womxn has the right to wear whatever she wants and be whoever the hell she wants.”

Non-traditional, yet feminine. House of Ollichon offers “luxury bridal jump suits and separates for the dress-less wedding. Based in the UK with online ordering options for fun, feminine, non-traditional wedding looks.”

These are only a small sample of options. Look around. The choices are as diverse and limitless as we are.

JOHN SOTOMAYOR is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Embrace Magazine. With nearly 20 years of experience as a journalist for magazines and newspapers, he has written on a board range of topics and subject matter. Specifically on Styles + Trends, Sotomayor has written for numerous publications including, Ocala Magazine, Lake & Sumter Style, Elevate Magazine, Florida Travel + Leisure, and Florida Trends.