Words: Josh Lee
There is, with little doubt, a seemingly endless list of things we love about weddings: the open bar; the DJ’s throwback bangers; the subsequent dad dancing; and, of course, the celebration of matrimony. On the flipside, however, there are also several things that we tend not to like so much about the occasion: the slight chance of family drama; the long, long ceremony; the following day’s hangover that makes your brain feel like a killing floor; and, before the vows are even said, deciding on which outfit to button up.
It is the latter that hurts us the most, given the all-eyes-on-you spirit of the day, and the fact that nearly every moment will be immortalised on camera rolls. So, before the bells start ringing, allow us – with a little help from tailoring master Oliver Brown – to guide you down the aisle in style…
The Traditional Option
Also known as formal day dress, morning dress is the unofficial uniform of upper-society weddings, memorial services and days at Ascot. Though the traditional get-up is complete with a top hat, nowadays you’ll be let off if you opt not to plump for the headgear. (Convention also dictates that the trousers, quite often, should be of a different pattern or colour to the upper part of the outfit – but, with the relaxing of dress codes, we wouldn’t say it’s a do-or-die rule these days.)
We like this coat for its timeless colourway, classic cut and prosaic look, features that allow the piece to be a neutral base that can pair easily with a wide variety of other items, such as this duck-egg-blue waistcoat and silk tie in pink – both of which act as complementary foils thanks to their lighter hues.
The Lighter Option
Having a lighter alternative, in terms of hue, may feel better suited for when the temperature dials up. Moreover, given the near-infinite number of things to worry about already – catering, venue, vows, speech, honeymoon arrangements – it’ll pay dividends to have an outfit that makes maximum impact with minimal fuss, and, therefore, will be one fewer thing for you to sweat over. With this look, we especially appreciate the tonal uniformity throughout, as it offers a clean appearance overall.
The coat here is produced in 100 per cent wool from famed mill Dugdale Bros & Co; is stripped-back in looks; and is equally fitting for your next day out in Ascot’s Royal Enclosure. The double-breasted waistcoat ties everything nicely together; and the Silk Evening Shirt has a generous fit and is free from any distracting embellishment.
The Flair Option
If you have a long day planned – and chances are that you do – you may want to change things up periodically, not only to prevent restraining yourself to the same ensemble for hours on end, but also because the different stages of a wedding all have different moods. The dinner, for example, will probably be a dimly lit affair, with a nice flow of strong libations and great evening dressing – it is the crescendo moment, after all.
For these particular few hours, we’d suggest the ultimate of dress codes: black tie. On this occasion, why not steer away from the conventional all-black look and go for something with a bit of elan. Here, Oliver Brown’s white dinner jacket elevates the stakes fairly high with noted details such as the large shawl collar and cream lining. Anchor this statement piece with muted staples such as the Silk Barathea Bow Tie and a piece of Vacheron Constantin wristwear, made from an elegant rose-gold.
Want more from Oliver Brown? We take a look at the brand’s bespoke service…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
