CORRECT ATTIRE FOR THE GROOM AND HIS ATTENDANTS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6947, 28 June 1929, Page 11

CORRECT ATTIRE FOR THE GROOM AND HIS ATTENDANTS

After tho rolling organ tones of Lohengrin’s wedding march have been subdued to a background of exquisite melody, the guests—hitherto all attention to the bride and her attendants become conscious of tho bridegroom, lie has approached with the best man from the side. It is a formal evening wedding and they both wear the proper full evening dress. To-day’s fashions demand the usual tr.il-ooat; white waistcoat, . singlebreasted; whito piquet shirt with two white moth or-of-pearl studs and white bow tie. The trousers are pleated in tho front and taper towards tho feet. It is especially smart to have shirt, waistcoat and bow tie to match, the shirt in finest pleats and opening at tho back. And this year’s coat lines accentuate the shoulder width. Accessories for tho groom and groomsmen include black silk hose and patent leather pumps or oxfords. Black silk hat and black evening cano with ivory, or silver ,or gold mounting, complete the groom’s attire for a formal summer evening wedding. While for this occasion full dress is the only strictly correct costume, in somo communities, owing to a disinclination for formal attire, the tuxedo is worn instead of the tail-coat. In this case the bride’s gown is in keeping, lacking the full formality which obtains When the regulation drees is observed. Morning and Afternoon Weddings.

When the wedding is in the country or the suburb, it is tho choice of many brides to have a breakfast wedding, or an afternoon ceremony. For these hours the groom’s attire should be a cutaway suit—black coat with waistcoat of matching material, white linen or pearl grey flannel (single or double breasted) and striped grey or black trousers. This costume demands dull black oxfords of lightweight kid, silk hat and cane of rosewood or snakewood having a silver, gold or plain top. The tie should bo pearl grey—bow, four-in-hand o.r Ascot, and glove and spats of tho same grey. For the Groomsmen and Ushers. Tho best man dresses as nearly as possible like tho groom in all important respects. For an evening wedding the ushers wear full evening dross the various items of which arc given m tho description oir the dress for tie groom. For morning and afternoon weddings the costume includes the cutaway coat and grey trousers, and either black or grey waistcoat.

Far morning and afternoon weddings cutaway coots and either black or grey waistcoats are worn, with grey gloves and fuil-folded neckties in a dork tono of silk picked out in a brighter brocade pattern. Ushers remain fully gloved while serving in the aisles and taking part in the ceremony, of course. The toutonnieres sent by the bride are always worn, as are also the groom’s gifts, which may b-o of many kinds, among the popular ones being scarf-pins, cuff-links, canes, pocket cigarette cases and lighters.

Iu the Wardrobe for Other Occasions. J Besides his wedding costume the i groom’s outfit should include a business I or ‘ ‘ lounge ’ ’ 'suit, light-weight, with single-breasted waistcoat of matching material.

The colours popular lor such suite this season uro brown and grey, the brown tending towards a reddishbrown; the grey having a purplish cast. Navy bluo is standard, a never-failing colour. Ties and shirts worn with these suits will be of harmonising colours, preferably plain. The cut of the garments accentuates the shoulder-width, and. the trousers have the now pleats in front which are especially becoming to tall, slender figures. A “snap-brim” felt hat is worn with these suits and, in warm weather, a panama or straw sailor’s hat. Oxford shoes, with a maloeca or whngee cane, complete the costume. A sports or country club outfit of knickerbockers, coat and matching •waistcoat, a eashme.ro sweater in some delicate pastel shade with golf hose to match and canvas shoes, leathertrimmed, are appropriate as fatigue uniform.

Other informal summer evening and afternoon wear includes a suit of white flannel trousers and navy blue coat. The Tuxedo or dinner-jacket (called on the continent “the smoking”) is worn in the evening for less formal occasions than those demanding full evening dress. A white double-breast-ed waistcoat should be worn with the dinner jacket, with shirt and tie to match—two white pearl studs showing. For travel, especially ocean-going, a camel’s hair coat and cap add not only smartness to the man’s equipment, but supply a necessary comfort that only the presence of a warm “woolic” can give. That Little Matter of Hats. More a point of etiquette than n question of attire is the question—what to do with men’s hats at the formal wedding. One of the best man’s obvious duties is -supposed to be the guardianship of the groom’s hat and gloves during the ceremony, and it requires some consideration upon his part to handle the-

situation skillfully. The most commonsense procedure is for tho best man to take charge of the groom’s hat in the vestry, placing it with his own, and arranging for the hats t-o be presented again as the bridal procession leaves the church door. Ushers leave their hats during the service with some responsible person in the .church vestibule.