While having a very in-depth conversation with my new favorite groom about custom tuxedos, it sparked that little light in my mind to write about tuxedo and here we are. While on one of my favorite sites (GQ) looking for formal wear, I came across this amazing articles about choosing and buying a tux. And you know, if I think you need to know about it, I must write about it.
Somewhere along the line, a tuxedo went from being the most majestic piece in a man’s wardrobe to something that he had to wear. As in, “Yeah, dude, I gotta wear a tux to this wedding next weekend.” You know what? Quit your carping. The fact is, you’ll never look better, more manly—more gentlemanly—than in a tuxedo said Will Welch for GQ. According to GQ, when picking your tux, start with the basics.
The Basic: Such as the classic, timeless black tux, white shirt, black bow tie (yes, bow tie—they’re back in a big way). There’s nothing quirky or dangerous about this outfit, and that’s okay. Opting for a classic doesn’t make you a square; it makes you a gentleman.
Keep It Slim: At some point in the evening, you’re going to toss the jacket. Make sure you’re wearing a slim-fit shirt that won’t blouse out pirate-style by the time you’re leading “Livin’ on a Prayer” choruses.
Go Blue:
A midnight blue tux strikes an alternative but still classic note. Generally, wear one with a white shirt and black tie. Unless you want to look all…Grammy Awards, in which case you can do like Brandon and go for a black formalwear shirt, open at the collar. Look for other versions by Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Neil Barrett, and D&G.
Know Your Lapels: Notch
When in doubt, go with a notch lapel. Less of a statement than a shawl or a peak, it essentially mimics a conventional suit jacket and looks right on just about anyone.
Rock the Velvet
Note: velvet jacket—not suit. Like a midnight blue tux, velvet adds flair to your formalwear. Black is your safest option, but if you’re not afraid to play it up, look for one in bottle green, burgundy, or navy. Just keep the rest of the outfit simple, from the pants to the shirt to the tie.
Know Your Lapels: Peak
The original tuxedo, which debuted in 1886 in Tuxedo Park, New York, featured a peak lapel. Wear with pride.
Master the White Dinner Jacket:
The white dinner jacket—worn always with black tux pants—is part Old Hollywood (Bogart), part rocker (André 3000). Although not exclusively for summer, it’s best worn from March to October—or whenever they’re serving mint juleps.
Know Your Lapels: Shawl Collar
It had its heyday in the ’50s, worn most famously by James Dean, but it has surged back into fashion of late. Just be sure to keep the collar on the slim side.
One Tux, Two Ways
The Clark Gables and Cary Grants of the world would scoff, but the long tie has—for better or worse—become part of the formalwear canon. Just make sure it syncs up with the width and material of your lapels. So, satin lapel, satin tie.
Did you know there was so much to buying a tux? I didn’t! But, that’s what I’m here for; to advise you on these little things in life. Below are some of the tux pictures from GQ and the model certainly looks handsome and more importantly confident in his tux which is most definitely what you want.
Well, what do you think about this? Was this helpful information? You know how much I love to hear from you.
Happy shopping,
Violaine
All photo credits to Paola Kudacki
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This weeks’ Question Tuesday came from Anthony who’s one our current grooms (yes, grooms have questions too!) to ask “How Do I Ensure Members of My Wedding Party Have A Good Wedding Experience?”
Anthony attended a wedding a while back and thought the groomsmen were treated poorly and wanted to make sure his groomsmen did not experience the same. I appreciate a groom or a bride who’s looking to make sure their wedding party has the best experience possible. After all, your wedding party is essentially there to provide support to you as a token of their love for you and friendship. Not to serve your purpose the entire weekend.
With that said, you want them to feel like they are part of the wedding festivities; like they are contributing to your big day. My advice is quite simple. Limit the amount of tasks/duties provided to each member and don’t assign any task that you wouldn’t want to do yourself. I would also suggest having a plan of action where the groomsmen are concern. Take a moment and write down each duty you’ll assign to each groomsman. This will ensure that you stay inline with your promise to yourself. Below are a few examples of simple but effective ways to include your groomsmen without making them feel overworked.
1. If you’re having some groomsmen activity, assign one groomsman the task to make sure.
2. If you’re hosting a rehearsal dinner, and plan on giving your groomsmen gifts at the rehearsal dinner, assign that responsibility one to transport gifts to the respective location and that’s all for the day. If you have a large amount of stuff to be transferred, be sure to assign two groomsmen so one doesn’t feel overwhelmed.
3. If you need someone to hand you the gifts when you’re giving them out, assign that task to another groomsman and that’s it for the day.
4. If you plan on sending your future wife a little gift or a sweet note, assign that sweet task to one of your groomsman. Trust me they’ll love the opportunity to deliver something sweet.
5. If you have a scripture to read, assign that to one groomsman. Off course discuss that beforehand and make sure they’re comfortable with doing something like that.
6. Assign another groomsman to keep you on time and ensure you leave on time for the ceremony.
7. Depending on the location of your reception and the style of reception you’re having; if needed you can assign all the groomsmen to assist in transporting the gifts to your hotel room or parents vehicles.
I always love to ask others opinions of others and I contacted a few of my past and current groomsmen to ask them the opinion of the subject matter. Below are the top 5 tasks I’ve been told groomsmen complaint about.
1. Transport gifts from the wedding or reception back to one’s home.
2. Handing out programs to the guests as they enter the ceremony especially when there’s a large crowd.
3. Assist others in removing centerpieces from the reception.
4. Ensure relatives get picked up from the airport and transported to their hotels
5. Ensure all guests have signed the guest books at the end of the evening.
6. Gather all relatives after the ceremony to get their pictures taken. This is especially bad when they don’t know who’s who in the family.
7. Walk around at the end of the evening asking guests if they received their favors or pass out wedding favors.
8. Be the one to bring the bride and groom their food or drinks.
The above examples can be served as examples to both brides and grooms on what to do to ensure their wedding party has the best experience possible.
My darling readers, you know I love your feedback and any other suggestions you have to add would be wonderful!
Warmest wishes,
Violaine
****Want to submit a question for Question Tuesday?***
You don’t have to be a client of André Winfrye Events to submit, you can ask us not to publish your question for everyone to read and your question can be about anything related to planning an event. Please understand as wedding season nears, it may take us a little while longer to respond to your questions.
Please submit your questions to Qt@andrewinfryeevents.com
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And so I admit it, I visit the Man Registry blog more often then I should BUT I did come across this great article which I love and wanted to share with you!
If you’re a future groom or a future bride and you know you’re about to be proposed to, perhaps you’ll share this with the man in your life. Enjoy!
It’s something that every traditionalist will tell you is a requirement for the engagement — asking the bride’s parents for permission for their daughter’s hand in marriage. Many will tell you that it’s not necessary in today’s modern world — but trust us: They’re expecting it. And if overlook this step, it could be a rocky and uncomfortable start to your marriage.
Sure, it’ll be uncomfortable and maybe a little awkward at first. It will probably be pretty obvious what you’re getting ready to ask. Parents can be intimidating, especially if you don’t have a close relationship with them yet. Fathers and mothers have a special relationship with their daughter and it’s not easy to let go of seeing her as their “little girl.” But if you can muster the courage to spit out the words, we guarantee you’ll feel incredible afterward, not to mention the major brownie points you’ll likely earn from your bride-to-be later for doing the right thing.
Here are some tips for making it all go smoothly:
• Be sure to tell them how much you love their daughter and how you believe that marriage is a sacred one-time bond.
• Re-assure them that you’ll treat her with all of the respect that she deserves.
• We know that tradition mainly mentions asking the father for permission, but it’s a very nice gesture to include the mother as well. She loves her daughter, too!
• Meet in person. This is NOT something you want to do over the phone. If you live in a different state, get creative and use a webcam (we know you’ve got one, you stud).
• You don’t to meet with them at their home or at a coffee shop (boooring). Take them out to lunch or dinner at a favorite restaurant, to a ballgame or an art exhibit —basically whatever will help put them in a good mood and show them how considerate you are.
• Wherever you plan on meeting with them or taking them out, be on time, and under no circumstances cancel or reschedule! This doesn’t exactly make you look very dependable or reliable as a future husband.
TMR Recommendation: If you’re wavering on asking for permission, think about this: Do you want your daughter’s future husband to bypass you and go straight for your daughter? Show your future in-laws some respect by asking permission to marry their daughter. Remember, future grooms, it pays to stay classy!
Thank you Man Registry,
Violaine Diogene
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A few weeks ago we discussed the Full Windsor Knot as part of our series The Art of the Knot. This week, we’re still discussing the Windsor Knot but instead of a Full Windsor Knot, this is the Half Windsor Knot! Yes, there is a difference between the two of them.
The Half Windsor Knot, is a modest version of the Windsor Knot. It’s a symmetrical and triangular tie knot that you can use with any dress shirt. It works best with somewhat wider neckties made from light to medium fabrics. You can use this particular knot for a formal rehearsal dinner if you were to wear a tie.
The instructions for tying a half-Windsor knot (way 1) are shown below courtesy of Totieatie.com. We assume that you are right-handed in the following instructions. The figures below are mirror images. They are what you will see if you stand in front of a mirror. If you would like to see a video instruction instead, please click here.
I hope these series are helping you and if they’re not you know you can just send me an email letting me know your thoughts.
With you in mind,
Violaine Diogene
1. At the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side.
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2. Cross the wide end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).
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3. Bring the wide end underneath the narrow end from Left to Right.
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4. Bring the wide end over to the Center region.
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5. Bring the wide end under the knot to the Left region.
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6. Bring the wide end out of the shirt from Left to Right.
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7. Bring the wide end under the knot to the Center region.
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8. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.
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9. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the center of the collar.
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| Leave a Comment Today while trying to get my annual bargain at one of my very favorite stores in the world, (Saks Fifth Avenue) I ran into one of my grooms whom was also out shopping. He was in the men’s department in front of a mirror receiving what appeared to be a valuable lesson in tying a tie. And you guessed it, I had this “aha” moment and here I am writing a series on the different ways for a man to tie his tie but most importantly, I’m really about this for the ladies. If you’re a wife, the future wife or woman in a man’s life, you need to know how to tie his tie. This is one of the nicest and even the sexiest thing a woman can do for her man (in my humble opinion of course).
A few years ago, I learned how to tie a tie at A Macy’s in downtown Boston (I really wanted to impress my husband) and to my surprise, it was much more difficult than I ever imagined but once I learned, it was actually much easier than I had ever imagined. Now, I know this might sound odd, but the type of tie, color of the tie, and type of knot you use on a tie all can convey into a certain meaning. Try to keep up; Take the Windsor knot for example. The Windsor knot is a knot that exudes confidence and power due to its wide, triangular shape. Falsely named after the Duke of Windsor, the Windsor knot (also known as the full Windsor or double Windsor) is usually worn for formal occasions. This type of knot looks best worn with a shirt collar that is considerably cut-away.
I’ve included some very detailed instructions as well a video for you to learn this very important skill at your own pace. Next week, we’ll look into tying a different knot. I hope buy now it’s evident that I want to hear from you. I love to hear your thoughts on my post. I hope I’ve inspired you and challenged your minds in the past few months.
Always hoping to inspire you,
Violaine Diogene
Step 1: Lift up the collar of your shirt, put the tie around your neck so the wide end hangs down on the side of your dominant hand.
Step 2: Cross he wide end over the front of the thin end a few inches below your neck.
Step 3: Slip the wide end up through the back of the V-shape made by the two ends, pulling it out toward your non-dominant hand.
Step 4: Wrap the wide end around the knot and slip it up through the back of the V-shape made by the knot.
Step 5: Tuck the wide end into the front loop of the knot.
Step 6: Tug on the wide and thin ends gently from below the knot until the knot is tight.
Step 7: Hod the thin end with your non-dominant hand and slide the knot up to your neck with your hand.
Step 8: Flip your collar down and get going.
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| Leave a Comment Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of having lunch with one of my favorite grooms to talk about a surprise birthday party he’s hosting for his stunning and absolutely darling fiancé. Doing our conversation about his tux and desires to wear something unique which will reflect his personality we thought about customizing his tie out of all things. Off course I thought it was a brilliant idea and the fact that I would have a say in the designing process was even better. Later on I went to my some of my favorite sites ranging from Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and finally to Etsy and starting looking for groom’s ties and came across these amazing ties.
I know I’ve said this before, but I love Etsy and everything on that site. How amazing are these ties? These ties were designed by Cyberoptix TieLab and upon your visit to Etsy, you’ll soon notice the extensive colors and designs available to your fiancé and his fellow groomsmen, and yes, they have some of the same ties available for the ring bearers and junior ushers. I love the creativity in the ties; I love the array of colors available from the very simple silver to the very bold burnt orange and fuchsia. And the fact that these ties are very affordable ranging from $30 for a set of 3-4 ties to $200 for a set of 5-7 ties will really please majority of brides and grooms.
Below are my two favorite collections available on Etsy. The first tie (according to the description on Etsy) is an original illustration adapted from a client’s custom wedding stationery. Mehndi designs are traditionally comprised of floral and teardrop elements and symbolize both luck and prosperity in weddings or any special occasion. The quintessential paisley motif originates from Persia and India. The tie is made of a soft microfiber, having almost the same hand as real silk and is printed with high-quality, non-toxic, waterbased ink. And because I love anything Indian, I fell head over heels for these. My second favorite is Poppy silkscreened microfiber necktie which is a symbol of wartime remembrance; poppies are used as emblems on tombstones to symbolize eternal sleep. The opium poppy was cultivated in lower Mesopotamia as long ago as 3400 BCE. And the fact that these ties comes in pink, yellow, brown and blue really tickled my soul. What’s not to love? You know the rules, let me know your thoughts on the ties. What’s your fiancé like? If you had to pick one to these ties for him, which would you pick? If you have pictures of your fiancé in his formal wear or a picture of his tie, send me a picture and we’ll discuss it.
Love all things weddings!
Violaine Diogene
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