With well over a half century of fitting up and kitting out Australian men under their belts, the team at Adelaide’s Peter Shearer Menswear & Suit Hire know all about how to look sharp in a suit. So we turned to Peter Shearer’s director, Martin Gilligan, as our expert guide to what grooms should be wearing this season.

Location, location, location
When it comes to modern groom’s wear, the Peter Shearer team “search for inspiration everywhere,” explains Martin. “These days you can easily see new trends from around Australia and other parts of the world on Instagram and wedding blog sites as they happen.” But the very first element you should think about when it comes to choosing your wedding day style? Your location. “A groom getting married in a church will most likely have a completely different look to a groom getting married in a vineyard.”

Luxe looks
Modern luxury is all about the custom, the personal and the unique. So experiment with dapper three-piece ensembles, unusual collar features and mixing and matching vests. “Nowadays, there’s a lot more freedom when it comes to choosing styles and colours for the bridal party. We work together with the couple to bring their vision to life. The only rule that hasn’t changed is that the bride should always be involved in the process,” says Martin.

Colour is the new black
“For those who are a bit daring, mismatched colour pairing is the trend for them this season. When done correctly, styling a suit with a contrasting vest adds depth and sophistication,” says Martin. Colour palettes for Summer are focused towards deeper tones of navy and charcoal, plus refreshing blues and beiges in lighter fabrics to accommodate for the warmer weather. “Navy suits with black collar features are still expected to be popular among fashion-forward grooms, as well as the classic white dinner jacket with embossed fabric, says Martin.

The IT item
Martin nominates the waistcoat or vest as the must have item for fashion forward grooms this season. “The classy yet modern look has come back strong, especially in Australia. It gives the groom and groomsmen the opportunity to look classy while wearing their suits at the altar or during the ceremony, but later on in the night they can still take their jacket off, enjoy the party and stay looking distinguished.”

When in doubt
DO: “For a traditional wedding, you can’t look past a classic three-piece suit or black tuxedo, a timeless option that works no matter the season!”
DON’T: “I cringe when I see two buttons done up on a jacket in wedding photos,” says Martin. “A suit jacket or blazer is only meant to have the top button done up. It helps give the jacket the tailored shape it needs to look good.”