The Groom Deserves a Moment Too
Wedding planning conversations have long been dominated by the bride’s look, and while that is entirely understandable given the complexity and emotional significance of the bridal gown, 2026 is bringing a welcome shift in attention towards how the groom dresses for the occasion. The most visually cohesive weddings are invariably those where every member of the couple has approached their outfit with the same level of care and intention, and the groom’s suit or formal wear plays a central role in the overall aesthetic of the day.
Find verified suit hire specialists, bespoke tailors, and menswear boutiques through Zothey’s groom and groomsmen directory, where every supplier has been personally vetted for quality and service.
The Return of Classic Morning Dress
Classic morning dress the tailcoat, waistcoat, and striped trouser combination associated with formal British weddings and Royal Ascot has been through something of a reappraisal in recent years, and 2026 finds it in remarkably good health. A generation of grooms who grew up dismissing it as their father’s wedding look are discovering that worn well, with confident personal touches like an interesting waistcoat colour or a beautifully chosen tie, morning dress has a timeless formality that no contemporary alternative can quite replicate.
The key to wearing morning dress with genuine style lies in the fit. A perfectly fitted tailcoat and trouser combination looks extraordinary. The same outfit in the wrong proportions looks like a costume. Whether you choose to hire or buy, investing in proper alterations is non-negotiable. According to Brides Magazine, grooms who spend time on tailoring and fit consistently receive more compliments on their wedding day look than those who focus primarily on the label or the price point.
The Contemporary Suit: Relaxed Elegance
For grooms whose weddings call for something less formal, the contemporary suit has never offered more options. Slim-cut two and three-piece suits in a widening range of colours and fabrics are giving grooms the freedom to dress in a way that feels genuinely personal without sacrificing elegance. Dusty blue, warm camel, and rich forest green are among the most popular suit colours of the season, offering alternatives to the traditional navy and grey that photograph beautifully in both natural and interior light.
Fabric choice matters enormously, both for comfort throughout a long day and for the quality of the photograph. Wool and wool-blend suits drape well, breathe comfortably, and hold their shape across hours of standing, dancing, and celebrating. Linen suits are a wonderful choice for warm weather outdoor weddings, offering an intentionally relaxed aesthetic that suits the setting perfectly. As Hitched advises, always consider the venue and the season when choosing fabric, since a heavy wool suit in a summer marquee is as uncomfortable as a linen suit in a cold January church.
The Groomsmen: Coordinating Without Matching
The question of how to dress the groomsmen is one that benefits from the same thinking now applied to bridesmaids. Identical suits in identical colours, while practical, rarely produce the most interesting visual result. A more considered approach involves choosing a colour palette and allowing some variation within it: the groom in a slightly different shade or with a distinguishing accessory, and the groomsmen in coordinating but not identical looks.
Ties, pocket squares, and boutonnieres offer the most straightforward route to creating visual cohesion within a groomsmen group without requiring everyone to wear exactly the same thing. A shared colour in the tie or pocket square, paired with suits that each individual has chosen within an agreed palette, produces a result that feels polished without being regimented.
Plan the full wedding party look alongside every other element of your day at Zothey.com. Use Zothey’s planning tools to keep fittings, appointments, and supplier communications in one place, and let Velo Bianco’s handmade bridal gowns set the standard that every other look on the day aspires to match.
