Weddings · Est. 1972
The weddingsuit
The groom people remember is not the one wearing the most. He is the one wearing the best-fitted thing in the room.
Relaxed silhouettes with a structured shoulder, in earth tones rather than navy-or-nothing. Chocolate, forest green and burgundy photograph well and suit a wider range of weddings. Soft construction, one statement piece rather than layered accessories. The Man’s Shop fits grooms and wedding parties in Arlington, four to six weeks ahead.
Where groom style has moved
Away from slim-fit everything
The pendulum has swung. Relaxed through the body, structured at the shoulder — a silhouette that reads as confident rather than squeezed, and photographs considerably better.
Color moved at the same time. Chocolate brown, forest green and deep burgundy have displaced the navy-or-nothing thinking of the past decade. They photograph beautifully, they suit more venues, and they do not date the album the way a trend color does.
Construction went soft. Unlined or half-lined jackets that drape rather than hold a shape you have to fight all day. At a wedding you are wearing this thing for fourteen hours, which changes what matters.
Current directions
What we are actually fitting
- Double-breasted
- Back properly, and strong for a formal ceremony. It needs to fit precisely — this is not a jacket that forgives approximate tailoring.
- Texture over pattern
- Linen blends and subtle herringbone rather than bold checks. Texture photographs as depth; loud pattern photographs as noise.
- Monochromatic
- Shirt, tie and suit within one color family. Quiet, modern, and very hard to get wrong.
- Peak lapels
- Formality without committing to a tuxedo. A useful middle position for an evening ceremony.
- One statement piece
- A watch, or the tie, or the pocket square. Not all three. The most common groom mistake is layering details until nothing stands out.
Cocktail attire, decoded
What the invitation actually means
- Cocktail
- A suit, not a tuxedo. Dark or mid-tone, tie usually expected, leather shoes. In Texas, a lighter cloth for a daytime or outdoor ceremony is correct rather than a compromise.
- Black-tie optional
- A tuxedo is welcome and a dark suit is acceptable. If you own a tuxedo, wear it; if you do not, a charcoal or midnight navy suit with a dark tie is entirely correct.
- Dinner jacket vs tuxedo
- A dinner jacket in ivory or a texture reads as evening wear without the full formality. It is the more interesting choice for a summer evening here and photographs well.
- Guest, not groom
- Avoid anything that competes with the wedding party — no ivory, nothing that reads as a groom’s suit. Ask what the party is wearing before choosing.
- Outdoor and daytime
- Weight is the whole decision. A hundred degrees at four in the afternoon rules out a heavy worsted regardless of what the invitation says.
Timing
Working backwards from the date
Start six to eight weeks out
Custom takes four to six weeks. Starting earlier means the fitting is unhurried and there is room for a second look.
Bring the shoes
Break is judged standing, in the shoes you will actually wear. This is the single most common reason trousers get re-hemmed.
Bring the wedding party together
Fitting groomsmen at the same time keeps the cloth and the shade consistent, which matters far more in photographs than anyone expects.
Common questions
Wedding suits, answered
What color suit is best for a wedding in 2026?
Earth tones have displaced navy as the default — chocolate brown, forest green and deep burgundy all photograph well and suit a wider range of venues. Navy and charcoal remain correct and always will. The color to think hardest about is anything very pale, which is unforgiving over a fourteen-hour day.
What does cocktail attire mean for a man?
A suit rather than a tuxedo, usually with a tie, in a dark or mid-tone cloth with leather shoes. For a daytime or outdoor wedding in Texas, a lighter-weight suit is the correct reading of the instruction rather than a compromise on it.
What is the difference between a dinner jacket and a tuxedo?
A tuxedo is the full formal outfit — matching jacket and trousers, usually black or midnight blue. A dinner jacket refers to a contrasting jacket, often ivory or textured, worn with black formal trousers. The dinner jacket reads as evening wear with a little more personality, and works well for summer evenings here.
How far ahead should a groom order a suit?
Six to eight weeks before the wedding. Custom construction takes four to six weeks, and starting earlier leaves room for a second fitting without anyone rushing. If your date is closer than that, come in anyway and we will tell you honestly what is achievable.
Should groomsmen match the groom exactly?
Usually not exactly. A common approach is the same cloth and color for the party with something that distinguishes the groom — a different tie, a peak lapel, a waistcoat. Fitting everyone at once matters more than the specific choice, because shade varies between cloth batches and it shows in photographs.
Can you fit a whole wedding party at The Man’s Shop?
Yes, and it is worth booking as a group. Consistent cloth, consistent shade, and one set of alterations handled in-house by the same tailor.
Six to eight weeks out
Book with Patrick or Austin
Bring the date, the venue, and the shoes. We’ll work backwards from there.
Book with PatrickBook with Austin
100 S. West Street, Arlington, Texas 76010
Mon–Sat 10am–5pm · Closed Sunday
(817) 265-1116