Dressing for a Ceremony

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Dressing for a Ceremony

If there is one day when it is crucial to avoid any style missteps, it is on the occasion of an important ceremony. Whether you are passionate about clothing or not well-versed in the codes of menswear, each piece conveys a message that is essential to master.

Turning to the classics is always a wise way to sidestep faux pas and avoid regrets when looking back at photos ten years later... However, this does not mean you should shy away from creatively bending the rules, as long as you keep the fundamentals in mind.

Dressing for a Ceremony - Mens suits and clothes De Fursac

- Suit or tuxedo? It's a matter of taste! However, note that the pocket square is traditionally worn only after 6 p.m., as is the tuxedo, which is an evening garment.

- Generally, the lapel of the jacket should be in harmony with your build: the slimmer the silhouette, the finer the lapels, and vice versa.

- Avoid wearing a belt that weighs down your outfit and visually divides your silhouette. Instead, opt for the practicality and elegance of side adjusters.

- If you choose to wear a bow tie, a tuxedo is the way to go. For the shirt, you have several options, from hidden placket shirts to those with decorative buttons.

- Cufflinks are always a good choice. Ensure your shirt has French cuffs or mixed cuffs (simple cuffs with buttonholes on both sides).

- Match your socks to your shoes. While you don’t necessarily need to go tone-on-tone, they should always be in harmony with the shoes rather than the trousers.

- In doubt? The ultimate French reference is a navy suit paired with a white shirt.

- The key is to find the perfect look that allows you to remain elegant from morning till night.

Focus on the tuxedo

The tuxedo has its origins in the 19th century: derived from the “dinner jacket” or “smoking jacket,” it was originally worn to smoke a pipe or cigar during social gatherings, protecting one’s garments from the lingering smells of smoke. Introduced to the United States in the 1880s at Tuxedo Park, it became known as the American tuxedo, while still referred to as the smoking in Europe.
Adopted by icons such as Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, and Sean Connery, it became synonymous with Hollywood glamour in the 1930s and 1940s. Often associated with formal events such as galas, award ceremonies, and weddings, it is now regarded as the ultimate symbol of social elegance.
As the quintessential evening attire (it is worn after 6 p.m.), the tuxedo is traditionally paired with trousers that lack belt loops, a white shirt, and a bow tie. It comes in a variety of colours and fabrics, including wool and velvet.
However, outside of formal occasions, there’s no reason not to style it differently — mixing and matching the jacket and trousers, wearing a T-shirt beneath the jacket, or pairing it with a stylish set of sneakers.

How to recognise a tuxedo ?

The tuxedo is a suit, which can be either single-breasted or double-breasted, featuring wide peak, notch, or shawl lapels. These are typically made of silk, the perfect material to allow ashes to slide off in the smoking rooms of the time.

The buttons are covered, usually with silk.

The trousers, identifiable by the black silk braid running along the outer seam, always end with a plain hem, without a cuff.

Traditionally, it is worn with a bow tie and either a cummerbund or a waistcoat (note that you should choose one or the other to cover the trouser waistband, but never both).

The shirt is typically fitted with French cuffs fastened by cufflinks. It can have a classic collar or a broken collar, with a hidden placket, with or without a bib, ensuring that every visible part of the shirt is crafted with care.

For footwear, a pair of black patent leather shoes is essential.

Black ankle socks complete this formal outfit

Black Tie dress code

The black tie dress code, or "formal evening wear required," is used to underscore the formality of an event, emphasizing the need to pull out all the stops beyond the usual suit and tie.
To ensure you get it right for a particularly formal evening, opt for a midnight blue or black tuxedo, a crisp white dress shirt, a cummerbund (or waistcoat, but never both), high black socks, and polished black shoes (either patent oxfords or even velvet slippers). Avoid missteps such as bright colours, patterns, a regular tie, or casual footwear.
For a wedding or a more informal ceremony, feel free to be more creative by choosing a navy, white, or patterned tuxedo or by accessorising your outfit with a pocket square, cufflinks, or even jewellery. A suit is perfectly acceptable if the dress code is not strictly enforced.
And remember, elegance is primarily about attitude. There’s no point in perfecting your outfit if your demeanor doesn’t match!

It's a Big Day

And it will undoubtedly be a long one. Whether you are the groom, the father of the bride, the best man, or simply a guest, you’ll need to find the delicate balance between elegance and ease. Nowadays, few weddings adhere to a rigid dress code, presenting the perfect opportunity to embrace menswear codes while crafting a style that feels true to you and comfortable to wear.

Groom

When it comes to wedding elegance, several schools of thought compete. If you choose to wear a tuxedo, know that your options are plentiful. Unlike gala evenings that strictly enforce a classic tuxedo, weddings often don’t impose a formal dress code, making them a delightful playground. Your tuxedo can easily be navy or white, and you can wear it with either a tie or a bow tie. Feel free to opt for non-patent shoes, and whether or not to include a pocket square is up to you. It’s your day, and no one will fault you for bending the rules of classic elegance.
Alternatively, you might prefer a more understated approach. Dress in a fine suit crafted from high-quality wool. Since black is traditionally associated with mourning rather than love, opt for navy, light grey, or even sand. Choose a single- or double-breasted jacket. With a single-button jacket, there’s no need for excess; with a double-button jacket, don’t hesitate to add a waistcoat. This can be particularly useful during the festivities, as it prevents you from being left in just your shirt sleeves. A pocket square, ideally a simple white silk one, will also signify the day’s special nature. The shirt should be white and pristine; keep it simple and chic—there’s no need for satin, shine, or a precise match with the bride’s gown. To complete your look, all that remains is a tie (which is generally preferable on this occasion to a bow tie), which you might choose to match with the fabric of your suit for a safe bet.

Father of the Bride

To live up to expectations, embody the role and avoid stylistic pitfalls such as an overly tight suit, a narrow tie, or tapered trousers. Be careful not to overshadow the groom. If his suit is navy, choose a grey one, with a two-button jacket and no waistcoat. Your pocket square can be linen or cotton, which is less formal than silk. If your suit is charcoal grey, opt for a light grey tie; if it's medium grey, go for a dark grey one. On this occasion, you may also wish to wear your finest watch and most elegant cufflinks—after all, it’s not every day that you give your daughter’s hand to a man.

Best Man

From a stylistic standpoint, you can afford to be bold with colour, patterns, or even prints, or you may choose to opt for a more subdued look. A mismatched ensemble is perfectly acceptable. If the trousers are understated—navy, for example—a coloured blazer can make a statement. The shirt can also feature stripes or a playful print, as can the tie, which will suit polka dots perfectly for this occasion. The key is to avoid an excess of extravagance: if the jacket is bold, the tie and shirt should be more subdued, and vice versa. A flower in the lapel can add life to the overall look, as can a patterned pocket square. A pair of suede shoes in light tones, or even immaculate white canvas sneakers, are also acceptable if you choose not to wear formal shoes.