THE DAPPER GROOMSMAN

 

 

 

(This is me in my dapper three piece suit. Don't I look fancy?)

 

 

This blog will be dedicated to all the future groomsman of the world. Nearly every man will at some time in their life be asked to be a part of a wedding party. This is especially true if you are in your twenties or early thirties when all your friends are coming to the age of adult hood where they step out and begin to find their soul mates. If you are one of those friends who are honored with these duties I would like to give some frugal advice on how to turn your duties of friendship into a reward of your own. 

 
So recently two of my dearest friends have decided to get married, and asked me to be a part of their wedding as one of their groomsman. I was quite honored to be asked, and I felt obliged to join in on the wedding party since I was the person who introduced them. I introduced them on the set of my college senior thesis, and I had cast them as two characters that were in love with one another. In one of those twists of fate where life begins to imitate art they began to date each other in real life. I tell this story to you today to discuss how you can turn a groomsman invitation into an opportunity to pick up an affordable dress suit or tuxedo for yourself.

 
Hopefully the couple that asks you to join their wedding has good sense and good taste. I was fortunate enough to have friends that have those qualities. As a groomsman you have no real say over what you're going to be wearing down the aisle, but if you are chosen to be a part of the wedding party suggest to the bridal couple that you would prefer to buy a suit rather than rent one. On average it costs about $150 to $165 dollars just to rent a suit. If you're getting a rental it's likely not going to fit you perfectly and you're going to look very awkward wearing an ill-fitting suit in the wedding. I use to work for a tuxedo company in my youth, and I know those companies hire kids from high school to put the tuxedo orders together.

 
Here are some interesting things to know about the tuxedo rental business.  As a former insider to the industry, I will inform you that if they don't have your size in stock they grab the next closest thing they have to your requested size.  The shirt will either be too small or too large, which will be an ill-fitting garment sent out to the wedding party. The shoes are disgusting, and you would be utterly shocked as to how some of the tuxedos are returned. I remember pulling out tuxedos with vomit stains all over them. Those same vomit stained coats and shirts were sent to the cleaners and returned a few days later to be rented out to the next poor schmuck who would have the pleasure of wearing the "vomit' tuxedo. I am happy to report that the tuxedo place I worked for as a teen went out of business a few years after my departure.

 
So if you don't want to wear some ill-fitting suit or some "vomit" tuxedo, do yourself and your future self a favor and spend the extra $50 to $100 and purchase your own suit.  A man can never really have too many suits so don't fret over the purchase. Many companies that sell suits offer discount prices to wedding parties, and several of them offer buy one get one half off sells year round. Have the bridal couple take advantage of those deals. That way everyone in the groomsman party can take advantage of an opportunity to save some money, and get something nice to keep for themselves.

 
My friends and I purchased our suits from Men's Wearhouse where we were offered excellent support and accommodations. The bridal couple decided on a three piece dark grey suit. We were allowed to wear our own white oxford shirts, and the couple provided us with expensive ties and handkerchiefs as a part of our wedding gift. We each spent $200 on our suits, and I spent an additional $50 on tailoring services. If you are an average height you don't have to spend as much on tailoring, but unfortunately I do not have that kind of opportunity. So for $250 I have a very nice dark grey 3 piece suit that I can hang in my closet, and wear to any future formal events I may have to attend.

 

 

(Above: I recreated this outfit from a GQ article and wore it to my ten year class reunion.)

 

 

(Here are some examples that I pulled from Pinterest that showcase different ways you can reuse your suit to create other outfits.)

 

 

Since it is a 3 piece grey suit I can wear my vest with an oxford shirt and a pair of jeans, and pull off a sophisticated dapper casual look. I can also take the grey suit jacket and wear it with either a pair of chinos or dark denim jeans to make other casual looks. So for a mere $250 I can add this suit to my wardrobe and use it as a versatile garment that gives me numerous other uses.  

 

 

(Here's me with the handsome groom and beautiful bride.)