What Offbeat Grooms Are Wanting To Wear

[Kent]

Let's face it, tuxedos are boring and uncomfortable.

Show me a groom or groomsmen half-way through a reception who is still completely dressed up, and I'll tell you that you've spent too much time on Photoshop! I've been to more than one wedding throughout my life and I've been a best man and a groomsmen before. By the time the food and first dances were over, I was out of the coat and had the tie dangling around my shoulders with the top buttons of my shirt undone. It's just too much! Let's look at some things that this offbeat groom has looked at for wedding apparel:

I think this is a fantastic ensemble! It's comfortable, yet elegant, with a lot of the fancy trimmings you would see in a somewhat formal occasion. It's comfortable and debonaire without the stuffy tie and stiff, high shirt collar. The jacket can be removed and it will still have some fashion sense. This is what I'm hoping for my wedding.

This would definitely be better for a tropical wedding, but again, it's not constricting at all. It's loose, it's comfortable and it's got stamina. By stamina, I mean that it can be worn for SEVERAL hours without driving the individual completely insane. A simple collared shirt, untucked, with some nice slacks or pants and some comfortable shoes or even sandals/flip-flops.

Now, this might be a bit more theme-ridden, but it follows the same concept as the first picture. A long overcoat or duster that can be removed. In this picture he has a long-sleeved, button up shirt underneath (notice the lack of a tie), and he's wearing some tight, long suede (maybe leather) pants which could use suspenders, but certainly isn't required. Also, some leather boots which should be comfortable to the wearer, of course.

Those are some ideas! I'm interested to see what your thoughts are!

[El Rey]

We are doing a "Silent Film" as our ceremony and in the theme of a melodrama. You know tying the damsel in distress to the railroad tracks and all...

So far this is what I'm leaning towards!

[Martin]

Dude, that's awesome. Are you thinking of finding a stretch of deserted rail, or what? Cylinders are sweet, man; any excuse to look good in a top hat is probably worth taking. Nice touch of crazy with the silent film, looking forward to hearing more!

[El Rey]

We're working out the details on the film still. Getting inspiration from old Buster Keaton films and such. We're going to film our own movie where my best man will actually play the villain. Do the whole "The mortgage is due and if you don't marry so and so by 8 pm on this date, I'll run you and your poor old mother out of the house" kind of thing. At some point towards the end of the film, we'll actually appear on stage, call out for a minister in the audience and have a "quick" ceremony.

We're still working out all the details, but the creative juices are flowing.

[Alan]

I love the silent film theme for a weddding -- sounds rad!

I've been going back and forth on what to wear for our wedding. I'll probably keep it simple. Black vans slipons, black comfortable pants, a nice black button-up shirt with a tie to match my partner's outfit and match up all my jewelry with the same theme. Simple and classy, but comfortable and still 'me'.

Honestly, vanity has me wanting to show more tattoos than 'traditional' dress clothes allow for, haha. Most of my tattoos are on my legs/arms/chest/feet. I've got my hands and face tattooed, but nothing big... I'm just kind of jealous of my partner wearing a dress with an open top to show off her chest/throat/arm tattoos haha. Such a silly thing to stress about, but mens' dress clothes (and just clothes in general) are so much more conservative it seems like. Short sleeves on dress shirts are a pet peeve of mine, so I'll probably stick with a long sleeve shirt with the sleeves cuffed.

I also go back on forth on wearing my hair up -- either in a big loose bun held by hairsticks or just tied together with itself -- or to just leave it down. I guess it just comes down to experimenting. I'll probably end up starting with it up, but getting annoyed with it and taking it down, haha.

[Martin]

What about just a vest and matching pants in some kickass fabric? That could done as simply or extravagantly as you want, and you much fewer lines to deal with, as well as much more room to show of your ink.

I highly agree that if it's a significant part of what you are, then they should make an appearance. Wear a jacket or sherwani over it to tone it down or keep things hidden until the time, if you want. I could see that working.

[Charles]

My wedding theme colors are black, turquoise, and lime green. I plan to wear some Dickies (really comfortable), a black button-up shirt, a black and green striped tie, and a custom pair of chucks. My favorite colors basically. Ha. I think the custom chucks looked pretty good.

[Gilbert]

The loosened tie, open collar, and swinging the jacket over the head on the dance floor... Uggg!!! I'm trying to avoid that by having my groomsmen chuck all of that stuff after the ceremony and dinner and put on Guayabera shirts with their suit slacks. (We're also avoiding tuxes altogether. The guys are wearing their own suits. So maybe it's not such a danger after all.) The "look" we're going for in the wedding is 1940s mexican-american/cuban/hollywood, ca/mambo/... Plus I'm expecting the weather to be H-O-T.

I just gotta find a way to get the guys out together to rip their shirts off and change after dinner into Guayaberas. Maybe a bottle of tequila stashed in a tree will help...

[Justin J Hyman]

We are doing the Guaybera thing afterwards also. In keeping with the "Green" theme of our wedding I am now investigating a suit I saw online made from recylcled PET bottles, though I may just go used or Organic/Sustainable.

[Martin]

Nifty. I wonder how well it breathes, though. Isn't this pretty much the concept behind early rayon textiles which kicked off synthetic fabric in the late 40s?

[Martin]

"Maybe a bottle of tequila stashed in a tree will help..."

That, and a high ratio of cute bridesmaids to groomsmen.

But more seriously, hot choice with the guayaberas. Is there a real need for the suits in the first place, then? Might be more comfortable and the shirts more memorable if they were in the ceremony to begin with. You could always focus on killer hats rather than jackets.

Looking forward to how this turns out for you!

[Tom]

that's what I would say! Why bother with the suits? Guayaberas are hot! Which makes me wonder... I've got this hot suit ,wearing a panama, kind of a tropical theme. Wonder how well one of my guayaberas would go as a dress shirt. Maybe not tho.

[Paul M]

Totally. Its all about the collars. You have got to have the right collar on the shirt and then wear it outside your jacket collar. It's a kind of 70's look but avoid the 70's wide lapel jackets you'll be good.

I like to do the whole vintage suit, hat, tie look, but I do this look if I don't want to make all the effort or its going to be hot. I've got a 50s vintage (rayon!) Hawaiian shirt I do this with and you can really rock it. I like to keep the top button done of the suit done up to keep a sharp silhouette.