Suspend Your Disbelief

With more than ten years’ experience in the menswear fashion industry, Aquino has been all around the world as a stylist and has lived and worked in both Sydney and New York City. It is these experiences, according to Aquino, that helped shape the inception of THEODORE – a 100% Australian-owned menswear brand. Drawing from his first-hand customer interactions across multiple countries and locations, Aquino’s journey and passion for quality menswear has led him to where he is today. “With our range of meticulously crafted garments, I invite you to embark on this sartorial journey with us, where each piece reflects our commitment to excellence,” he says.

Looks That Never Go Out Of Style

You may be scratching your head and asking yourself: ‘Where do I start?’ Before we dive into how you create a unique or fun touch to your presentation, let’s first unpack the most popular choices for grooms. After all, you first need to pick a look to build upon before getting down to the finer details. In this respect, Aquino shares his wealth of valuable knowledge. There is, first and foremost, the classic three-piece tuxedo. “A perennial favourite,” Aquino says, “the three-piece tuxedo exudes sophistication and timeless elegance. It typically consists of a tailored jacket, matching trousers, and a waistcoat or vest, complemented by a crisp white dress shirt and a bow tie or necktie.” While this look tends to follow stricter aesthetic conventions, it allows your personal touches to be subtler and understated, such as using personalised cufflinks.

If you find that the classic tuxedo doesn’t best reflect your sense of style, perhaps vibrant colourways could be what you’re looking for. “Breaking away from traditional colour palettes, grooms are embracing vibrant hues to make a bold statement on their wedding day. Jewel tones like deep burgundy, emerald green and royal blue are becoming increasingly popular, injecting personality and individuality into the groom’s ensemble. These eye-catching colour choices can be incorporated into accessories like pocket squares, ties or even the entire suit, creating a striking visual impact,” explains Aquino.

Perhaps you’re looking for the best of both worlds: classic, with a little flair of something different. Aquino calls this the ‘mix-and-match styling’, and is an emerging trend where grooms create a unique ensemble by combining different elements. “This can involve pairing a patterned blazer with solid-coloured trousers, or opting for a mismatched waistcoat and jacket combination. Mix-and-match styling allows grooms to showcase their personal style and create a truly one-of-a-kind look that reflects their personality,” says Aquino.

Lastly, if you and your partner have agreed upon a more relaxed, laidback vibe at your wedding, then perhaps you might want to consider linen as a fun and comfortable alternative. “Linen is a lightweight and breathable fabric that keeps the groom comfortable even in warmer climates,” explains Aquino. “Soft pastel shades, such as light blue or beige, create a relaxed and breezy aesthetic, making it ideal for beach or garden weddings. Linen suits can be paired with a simple dress shirt and a bow tie or even worn without a tie for a more casual and carefree look,” he continues.

Suspended Above The Rest

Now that some of the more popular choices have been established, let’s get into the details. Firstly: suspenders. Suspenders can add a certain, unique charm to a groom’s overall look. The blazer is for the ceremony, but you most likely won’t want to wear it throughout the reception, so suspenders are great at maintaining an elevated and elegant presentation. “Suspenders exude a timeless charm. They add a sense of old-world elegance and sophistication to the groom’s attire, particularly when paired with a well-tailored suit or tuxedo,” Aquino explains.