The bride’s dress gets most of the attention, but grooms deserve to look just as good. A well-fitted suit is the difference between looking smart in the photos and looking like you’ve borrowed someone else’s jacket. And the good news is that most suits, whether bought off the peg, ordered online or picked up from a hire shop, can be made to fit beautifully.
Here’s my guide for grooms, best men, ushers and fathers of the bride and groom.
How a well-fitted suit should look
You don’t need to be an expert to spot a good fit. Check these in a mirror:
- Shoulders: the seam should sit at the edge of your shoulder, with no dent or overhang. This is the one area that’s hard to change, so get it right when you buy.
- Jacket length: it should cover your seat.
- Sleeves: with your arms by your sides, about a centimetre of shirt cuff should show.
- Buttoned jacket: it should close without pulling into an “X” shape across your middle.
- Trousers: they should rest lightly on the top of your shoe, without heavy folds at the ankle.
What can be altered
Most common problems are straightforward to fix:
- shortening or lengthening sleeves
- taking in or letting out the waist of a jacket
- hemming trousers, including cuffs (turn-ups)
- taking in or letting out trouser waists and seats
- tapering trouser legs for a slimmer look
- adjusting waistcoats so they sit neatly
What’s harder to change is the shoulders and the overall length of a jacket. If those are wrong, it’s usually better to choose a different size.
When to book
For bought suits, I recommend a fitting 6–8 weeks before the wedding. That leaves time for the work and a final check. Bring the shoes and shirt you’ll wear on the day, as both affect how the trousers and sleeves sit.
Hire suits are different. Check with your hire shop first, as many don’t allow permanent alterations. Simple temporary adjustments are sometimes possible, so it’s worth asking.
Organising the whole wedding party
If several of you are wearing matching suits, a little planning saves a lot of stress:
- Buy everyone’s suits at the same time so the colour and fabric match exactly.
- Book fittings together where you can. It’s quicker, and you can see how the group looks side by side.
- Sort out anyone who lives away early. Ushers who live outside the North East should come for their fitting on a weekend visit well before the wedding.
- Give one person the job of collecting the finished suits, so nothing is left behind.
Don’t forget the details
Small things finish the look: a pocket square that sits flat, a tie the right length, and a buttonhole pinned securely. For page boys, I can also adjust smaller suits so the youngest members of the party look just as smart.
A wedding is about the two of you, so it makes sense that you should both feel your best. If you’re getting married in Newcastle or anywhere in the North East, book your consultation today and bring the whole party along.
