THESE FOUR ITEMS WILL GET YOU THROUGH SUMMER WEDDING SEASON

The temperatures are warming up and wedding season is now in full swing.  But with weddings comes the daunting task of what to wear, whether you are the man-of-the-hour or fortunate enough to attend as an invited guest.    So with the recent Memorial Holiday and an undeniable patriotic energy that fills the weekend, we asked Donnell Baldwin, menswear style-expert and co-owner of MR BALDWIN STYLE to provide us with some of his favorite spring/summer trends for the classic all-American groom or the dapper wedding guest.

1. The Navy Suit Often when we see a navy suit, there is an immediate association with business attire.  While the navy suit is a great option for your business wardrobe, it can be equally suitable for your wedding day.   The biggest thing to keep in mind is the level of formality of your wedding.  If your wedding is very formal, think New York Public Library or The Pierre, then you want to skip the navy suit and opt for a navy tuxedo instead.

2. Banded Collar Shirt If your wedding is a little more relaxed in nature, you may want to consider foregoing the necktie and opting for the trending banded collar dress shirts. These shirts are great for warmer weather and let’s face it, you will already be sweating from nervousness whether temps are warm or not. To keep this look formal enough for your big day consider pairing the banded color dress shirt with a full suit instead of suit separates. The monochromatic look of the full suit will give a level of formality that suit separates will not achieve.

3. Ivory Double Breasted Jacket This ivory double breasted jacket by our friends at Suitable is a fantastic piece for an elopement, rehearsal dinner or for the dapper wedding guest. Double breasted jackets are a great way to add a bit of detail to your look creating a departure from your standard two button suit blazer or tuxedo jacket. Double breasted looks tend be look very formal and sophisticated due to the typical wider [peak] lapels – bringing attention to the chest and shoulders, but also creating an illusion of a slim silhouette. This ivory double breasted jacket is sure to have your guest and friends impressed by your sartorial style.

4. The White Dinner Jacket The white dinner jacket has a long history that dates back to the early 1900s. While in common culture you will find the white dinner jacket worn for during every season, its origin was as a wardrobe element to be worn for social gatherings during warmer months which makes it a perfect jacket option for a formal wedding during spring and summer. In keeping with the theme of classic American style, we love the idea of pairing a navy tuxedo trouser or smoking pant with a white dinner jacket. A small change from the classic black tuxedo pant but a nice-ode to the extra dose of patriotism that sparks the spring and summer months of the year.

Donnell Baldwin is the co-founder of MR BALDWIN STYLE (with his wife Courtney Arrington-Baldwin), a fashion styling and production agency with an emphasis on personal styling for grooms. Together Courtney and Donnell work with Grooms to help them achieve the best look for the wedding day. They are also the co-authors of GROOMS: A Professional Stylist’s Guide to Wedding Day Apparel for Every Budget. Available on Amazon and www.groomsbook.com.

Photo Credits: Jen Sosa
Styling/Production: MR BALDWIN STYLE
Model: Donovan Michaels (Soul Artist Management)
Suiting, Tuxedos, Banded Collar Shirt: Suitable