Groomsmen Suits - Latest Trends for Spring 2011 Men's Wedding Attire

When considering menswear for the groomsmen, most thoughts go immediately to tuxedos. But what if you don't want the men in your wedding party feeling like they are stuffed into something so formal that they can't be comfortable? Let them wear suits!

Suits have become more acceptable for weddings because they are affordable and can be customized with accessories to reflect the tone of the wedding. Dressed up or down, their versatility makes them a suitable option for most weddings.

For couples who opt to have their groomsmen wear suits, some trends that are hot for 2011 weddings are tone-on-tone shirt and tie combinations, solid ties, and pocket squares.

First Things First

The suit color should be something that complements the color palette of the wedding. You don't want the bridesmaids clashing with the groomsmen when they walk together down the aisle. Black suits are the easiest to work with yet, according to Michael Andrews of Bespoke, charcoal grey or midnight blue suits are fast becoming more popular, and khaki suits are a staple for more informal occasions.

Once you have the suit color settled, it's time to accessorize.

Shirts

Many couples are staying away from white shirts and instead selecting regular dress shirts that are in tones similar to the color of the bridesmaid's dresses. This helps to bring together the color palette in a stronger way to all members of the wedding party. It also gives the men a more uniform look, especially if each is wearing a suit that is the same color but the style varies (differences in cut, button placement, lapel differences, etc.).

Neckwear

There's a strong trend towards selecting solid ties in a tone that is very close to the shirt color. This is the tone-on-tone look. Again, this helps to hide the fact that the suits themselves may not be identical. It also gives the male wedding party a sleek, consistent look - particularly helpful if you have a range in the actual body size and structure of the men.

Pocket Squares

Once out of fashion and long overlooked, pocket squares are making a comeback. They tend to lend an air of sophistication or fun to any suit and can be folded and placed in the pocket in different ways to suggest these moods. TM Lewin Shirtmakers has a wonderful video series showing the ins and outs of folding and placing pocket squares.