Tailored To Perfection
A wedding is undoubtedly an occasion where everyone – from the guest to the groom – dresses to impress. With endless style options available, achieving a cohesive yet personalised look for the entire wedding party can be a challenge. Western Australia Wedding & Bride’s Josephine Day speaks with Christian Tana, the head of retail at Parker & Co., to explore the latest trends shaping men’s wedding fashion. From modern looks to timeless classics, Tana shares expert insights on how to ensure the groom stands out while creating a unified, effortlessly stylish look for the entire wedding party.
Image courtesy of Parker & Co.
Suit shopping can often feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of what you’re looking for – but it doesn’t have to be. With the right team guiding you, the experience can be smooth, enjoyable, and even exciting. That’s where Parker & Co. comes in.
Based in Perth’s historic Trinity Arcade and established in 1895, this distinguished men’s fashion boutique is built on a wealth of history, story and tradition, becoming a cornerstone of Australian style. Known for its curated selection of premium international menswear, including Brioni, Canali Zegna, Pal Zileri and Kiton, Parker & Co. combines tradition with modern sophistication. For those looking for something custom, its entry-level made-to-measure service, The Tailoring Room, offers Italian fabric suits starting at just $995, with an impressive three-week turnaround – an uncommon find in the industry.
Tana explains that what truly sets Parker & Co. apart is its commitment to getting to know its clients personally. This dedication allows them to craft attire that not only fits perfectly but also embodies the personality and vision of the groom and his party. Whether you’re the groom or a groomsman, Parker & Co. ensures that everyone feels one-of-a-kind, dressed in a look that’s as memorable as the day itself.
FINDING YOUR STYLE
Gone are the days when wedding parties were dressed identically, blending into one another in every photo. As people become more confident and expressive in how they present themselves, couples are increasingly moving away from rigid uniformity, instead allowing each member of the wedding party to shine in their own way.
Tana notes, “usually the bridal couple want to differentiate themselves from the rest of the bridal group, and to slightly elevate and differentiate we can do this through the dress code and
fabrics and the models they select. We guide the groom through the entire process until we achieve a look that reflects the personality of the groom.” Personalising your wedding style doesn’t always require a full custom outfit – small details like a waistcoat, tie, or pocket square can make a significant impact. Tana adds, “each groom is treated individually so there is not one level of customisation that I recommend as a blanket for any groom. We ensure each suit is tailored specifically to the wedding setting, size of bridal group, time of year the wedding is and location.” Whether it’s a barefoot ceremony on a Maldives beach or a formal black-tie affair in a European castle, Parker & Co. ensures every groom, and his party are dressed in distinctive elegance, reflecting the unique spirit of the day.
UNIQUELY YOURS
No matter the style, theme, or aesthetic of your wedding, the team at Parker & Co. is dedicated to working collaboratively with each groom to ensure their outfit reflects their unique personality and vision. “Our skills are working with our grooms on understanding them, the bridal couple and their personalities. We go through a process of what they want the feel of the wedding to be, what the wedding location is and size of the wedding, to generally get to know the taste of the bridal couple,” says Tana. “We work within the variables to provide a look that works perfectly for their individual wedding needs and within their budget. Whether that be from our ready to wear collections or something fully bespoke from one of our master tailors.”
For those wanting an even more personal touch, Parker & Co. offers full customisation – embroidered initials or wedding dates, handpicked buttons, exclusive fabrics, and tailored suit models. It’s all in the details – there’s no single style template that the team imposes on the wedding party, and instead, they focus on curating looks that suit each individual while maintaining visual harmony.
The key, Tana explains, is “tying in colour, style, design and material all together and weaving them in together in a way that works in harmony with the wedding theme and with the rest of the bridal party.” The result is a wedding wardrobe that feels cohesive, reflecting the uniqueness of every groom and celebration.
TRUST THE PROCESS
While planning a wedding involves many moving parts, suit shopping should be one of the most enjoyable experiences. To ensure a smooth process and avoid last minute stress, it’s crucial to sidestep the common mistakes that most grooms make. One of the most important factors to consider is how your suit complements the overall theme of the wedding, the style of the ceremony, and most importantly, the bride’s look. “We like to ensure the groom balances well in terms of formality with what the brides wearing. For example, a highly formal and elaborate gown would need a suit that matches the level of formality, the fabrics and the models,” explains Tana.
If you’re considering a mix-and-match approach for your wedding party, Tana recommends a black-tie dinner suit with a shawl lapel as a timeless, versatile option that works across varying styles. Ultimately, the best way to find your ideal suit is through a personalised experience. “The best way to get an understanding of what we do is to book a wedding appointment,” Tana advises. “That way we can get to know you and talk you through all our options to customise your wedding day look. We can take you through our models, fabrics and brands to really get to know you and what your vision is for the day.” It’s through this one-on-one interaction that grooms can truly bring their vision to life, discovering just how many possibilities exist for their big day.