Moving on to part 2 of our modern groom style series with L² Style – today, it’s all about the shoe! If you missed last week’s post check it out here: Suits for the Modern Groom.

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When grooms-to-be think about footwear for their wedding, they often default to the basic black dress shoe. In reality, there are many options out there and I’d encourage you to find a shoe that really plays up your personality and style preferences. Your bride, after all, is spending a ton of time and effort on every last detail. It’s ok for you to spend even a quarter of that time making sure you look and feel great as well. Take a look at these great shoe options for your walk down the aisle.

Formal

1) To Boot New York “Torino” Lace-Up Oxfords

Why I like it: This is a classic, chic shoe that will finish a very formal wedding style. The thin sole gives the shoe a very streamlined and polished look.

2) BOSS Black Cetto Black Wing Tip

Why I like it: I love this brogue shoe because of the subtlety of the stitch. This is a great shoe that won’t just look good for your wedding but for other formal or dressy casual events.

Dressy Casual

3) Hugo Boss “Coloson”

Why I like it:  Although this shoe is a classic shape, the colour and matte leather gives it a casual appeal, making this pair a more versatile choice than a black dressy shoe.

4) Fratelli Footwear 2336

Why I like it: The textured, brown leather looks almost brushed – an interesting detail for the unconventional groom.

Funky

5) Cole Haan Nike AIR Colton Saddle Dress Shoes

Why I like it: Perfect for a fashion-forward groom who is looking for some edgy details to liven up a classic suit. This 60’s inspired shoe would look great with a grey or navy blue three-piece suit (see part 1 of the modern groom style series).

6) Aldo Stathas

Why I like it: I love this tone-on-tone brown shoe with its retro feel. Added to a suit, they’ll look as though you’ve thought about every last detail.

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About the Contributor:

Lazina Mckenzie is the founder of L² Style, a style consulting firm based in Alberta, Canada. Lazina believes that the style (or image) you share with others communicates a lot about who you are. She regularly has her clients articulate the answer to the question: what do you want your style to say about you? More recently, Lazina has opened her service offering to work with brides-to-be and their bridal parties. She is happy to provide her advice and support to brides on their very special day.

Last summer we did a series of posts with founder of L² Style, Lazina Mckenzie: What to Wear to Your Bridal Shower, What to Wear to Your Stagette, What to Wear to Your Rehearsal Dinner. Lucky for us, Lazina is back! This time around she’s giving wedding style advice to the modern groom. Read on for part 1 of 3 posts in this series.

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Grooms to be, you can admit it. The fashion for your wedding will mostly revolve around your lovely bride-to-be and her search for “the perfect dress!” Thinking about fashion for you on your special day probably won’t rank as high on the priority list…that is, until she’s found her dress and it’s absolutely necessary to think about you! But at the end of the day, I know that you, along with your soon-to-be wife, will want to make sure that you both look and feel confident and amazing on your wedding day.

When it comes to formalwear for grooms, there’s absolutely no need to venture off into the world of tux rentals. First off, that’s old news and secondly, no one looks their best in an ill-fitted and dated tuxedo. Owning a properly fitted tuxedo or formal suit will make you look and feel your absolute best and should last you for years to come (you won’t have the issue of investing a lot in a garment that will only be worn once). Here are my picks for you – the modern groom. We’ll look at shoes and accessories later on but for now, let’s just look at options for THE foundational piece – a great quality formal tuxedo or suit.

Tuxedo

1) Indochino: The Essential Dinner Jacket Tuxedo

Why I like it: This company makes custom tuxedos; this is a great option, especially if you have other formal events to go to during the year. With custom garments, you can pay attention to details such as cut of the jacket, size of lapels, size of buttons, etc.

2) Armani Collezioni: ‘Giorgio’ Wool TuxedoWhy I like it: This is a modern tuxedo that doesn’t have the full look and feel of a tuxedo, which can make it a more versatile garment. I really like the one-button closure and slim fit through the jacket.

Formal Suit

3) Indochino: The Essential Gray 3 Piece Suit

Why I like it: This is a great option for a formal day wedding. A three piece suit can be almost as formal as a tuxedo but in gray, the level of formality is brought down just a notch. For future usage, you can choose to either wear the vest or not. This will change up your overall look without having to invest in another suit.

4) Canali: Wool Suit

Why I like it: This suit is a classic formal gray and is more of a charcoal gray (rather than black). This will allow you to have more variety in choosing shirts, ties, shoes, and accessories.

Dressy Casual Suit

5) DSquared: Navy Woven Suit 

Why I like it: This suit is great for an outdoor spring/summer wedding or for the hipster groom. It is a funky, edgy suit – from the colour to the slim fit to the tapered pant leg.

6) BOSS Black: “The Sweet”  Taupe Wool Suit

Why I like it: Again, this is a great option for an outdoor or destination wedding. While the suit is a great cut with interesting details (I like that extra pocket on the right side of the jacket), the colour tones down the level of formality.

Here are some questions that you should ask yourself while shopping for the perfect suit:

• What’s the theme or style for my wedding? Does the suit or tux I like fit with the overall theme?
• Do I complement my bride-to-be or am I more/less dressy than she is?
• Will I be able to wear this suit/tux in the future? 
• What’s my budget for a new suit/tux? 
• What shirt, shoes, and accessories will complement my suiting choice?

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About the Contributor:

Lazina Mckenzie is the founder of L² Style, a style consulting firm based in Alberta, Canada. Lazina believes that the style (or image) you share with others communicates a lot about who you are. She regularly has her clients articulate the answer to the question: what do you want your style to say about you? More recently, Lazina has opened her service offering to work with brides-to-be and their bridal parties. She is happy to provide her advice and support to brides on their very special day.