The Classic Groom

CARLA JEAN SCHWARTZ

' Special to The Jewish News

I

The bride wears an Alfred Angelo gown with Queen Anne neckline, generously beaded bodice and Victorian
sleeves. The groom complements his bride in a grey tux with notch lapels from The Dynasty Collection of After Six
Formals

he classic black
tuxedo is always
fashionable
according to local
experts in formalwear. But
the degree of formality
depends upon the type of
wedding and the bride's
gown.
For a traditional formal
wedding the groom wears a
full-dress tailcoat and
matching trousers. For a
semi-formal evening
ceremony or a formal
daytime ceremony, the
classic cutaway jacket is a
popular choice.
Grooms should visit a
formalwear store at least
six to eight weeks before the
wedding. Formalwear
consultants can suggest an
appropriate style.
Groomsmen usually wear
clothing similar to the
groom. The clothes for the
groom and groomsmen
should be ready to try on
one week before the
wedding. If the groomsmen
are from out-of-town, they
can have a tailor measure
them and phone the
measurements to the store.
Along with the classic
look, there's an elegant
theme. The tremendous
return to elegance is a
certainty," states Harry
Kosins of Kosins in Lathrup
Village. He adds that the
groom should be dressed in
understated elegance. He
should't be an
exhibitionist," says Kosins.
"Mainly we are showing
the all black tuxedo, with or
without a cummerbund,"
says Ari Freed, manager of
Freeds in Windsor.
"Seventy percent of our
rentals beginning in April
and ending in October are

black," says Angelo
Giordimaina of Frank's
Formalwear in Lathrup
Village. "People are lookifig
for a traditional look, and
it's a standard clean-cut
look," he adds.
"Just like men's suits,
with the tuxedo there's a
strong influence of
European designers. It's a
European silhouette with a
bit of lower button stance
and the lapel is wider,"
states Freed. Kosins also
carries European fashions
including many Italian
designers like Armani and
Ungaro.
In addition to the
traditional black tuxedo,
grey and white are
standard colors. Pierre
Cardin designs a pearl grey
tuxedo with non-vented
back, satin-notched lapels,
padded shoulders and
matching pleated trousers.
The Miami Vice look,
which came out last year, is
still a good, updated look.
Also, the new Pierre Cardin
styles with the lower button
stance, and the Dynasty
collection is very elegant
and very updated," says
Gary Davis, manager of
Fredrick's of Farmington.
Spring advertisements
for grooms feature Don
Johnson in a white tuxedo
for the Miami Vice look.
Television character Dex_
Dexter is elegant in white,
ivory and silver for the
Dynasty collection.
Local formalwearexperts
all agree that the white,
wing-collar shirt is
fashionable. For formal or
semi-formal weddings this
is the shirt to wear.
Cummerbunds are an
important accessory.
Matching cummerbunds
are traditional, but
cummerbunds can also add
color. They are available in

