This isn't the kind of shapewear we're talking about

By Guest Blogger OneWed

We’ve been seeing a disturbing trend in the product pitches we’ve been getting at OneWed.com. There seems to be a growing movement toward trying to convince men that they need “shapewear” for their wedding day.

Shapewear, for those of you who avoid talking to your finacée about her underwear as much as possible, is underwear that uses special space-age technology to keep your stomach firmly in place. Some shapewear also uses less space-age technology to make your backside a little fuller.

Now, I’m all in favor of the breaking down of gender roles, but I don’t think that means men need to take on the neurosis of women.  I’ve always been amazed that very large men have no trouble wearing tank tops or going shirtless in situations when even the fittest woman would feel over exposed, and it would be great to put an end to that, but not at this cost.

We’d love to hear from any grooms who have actually tried men’s shapewear. What made you do it? Are you happy with it? Let us know in the comments section below.

Indochino's Wedding Collection

By Guest Blogger Simon Daykin

June is here and the summer wedding season is kicking off.  So for this issue I have decided to speak on the topic of THE SUIT.  I have been to black tie weddings, formal weddings, semi formal weddings, beach weddings and back yard weddings.  All of these weddings have a few things in common.  One I focus on with my grooms is “what the hell kind of suit do I wear?”  So it’s pretty simple really, I have knocked the options down to 3 categories of suits  (Not included are casual weddings, shorts, t-shirts, etc…I am of the opinion that if your bride is in a wedding dress, you should be in a suit of some sort)

Tuxes, Tails & Morning Coats, Oh My!

I love wearing a tuxedo; there is just a feeling about putting one on.  Most grooms just go for the standard tux no matter what kind of wedding they are having.  But this doesn’t have to be single or double breasted.  2 or 3 piece…3 piece comes with a vest or waist coat.  Then we get into the tails (not a fav of mine) or the Morning Coat (I do like this one).  The Morning Coat is a very British look (in my humble opinion) and I really like it, plus it gives you an excuse to wear an ascot.  It’s up to you what you decide on, but these are the options for a Black Tie or Formal wedding.  If you are having a Black Tie wedding, I suggest including some text on the invitation stating this, so your guests know there will be a dress code. So…there are so many choices for a black tie wedding.  You have the standard tuxedo, but you can get a 1, 2 or 3 (and so on) button jacket.

I Have A Birthday Suit, But Now I Need A Wedding Suit.

Wedding Day Gear from Indochino

If you have decided to pass on the tuxedo option and you’re looking for a suit, there are limitless options for you.  Colors, styles, cuts and so on.  It will all depend on what YOU want, and what your bride says you want (Kidding!)  Listen to her, but when it comes down to it, you have to wear it and you have to be comfortable in it.  A well made suit can look amazing!  I always suggest getting a new suit for the wedding, if you can’t get a tailor made one, then buy off the rack and have it altered just for you.  As my readers know, I highly recommend Indochino for all your formal wear needs.  I own some of their stuff and it is fantastic!  Also, it’s not really that expensive.  Have a look at your wedding colors, I suggest getting a neutral-ish suit (no wild colors) and adding the color and flair with the tie, shirt and of course the pocket square.  A black, charcoal or navy suit will look great and you can wear it again after the wedding.

Style And Sand

Destination weddings have always been popular.  Sadly most of the destination wedding photos I see are all the same, khaki’s and a white shirt…..BLAH!!!  Really!?!?  How boring is that!  I taught you better than that.  Just because you don’t want a formal wedding and its a little warmer on the beach doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the style and look like everyone else.  You can still rock the suit, it doesn’t have to be black, of course not.  Try light grey linen, a pale blue, maybe you go plaid or striped, or go all out and sport a skinny fit white suit.  You don’t have to even wear a jacket.  I styled a groom who got married in Jamaica; he wanted to be cool in the heat, yet stylish.  So we got him into a light grey suit (no jacket), high button vest, custom made white shirt, simple black tie (top button unbuttoned) and we rolled up those sleeves.

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

So there are the 3 simple groom’s attire categories.  Now within these categories there are so many choices.  But this is the fun stuff, picking out what to wear should be a good time.  Remember, just because a lot of people do it, doesn’t mean you have to.  So toss all the safe and boring options out the window and start new.  Grab some men’s fashion magazines, Google pictures of Chuck Bass, or other people whose style you respect for ideas on style and what you want to be wearing at your wedding.

When it comes to putting an outfit together, you can take a few different looks and mesh them all into one.  Don’t go overboard, but add in all the cool stuff you like, if you think it’s too much, you can start taking stuff away until you feel it all looks right.  I suggest taking a photo of you in the outfit(s), that way you can see what other people will see and not in the mirror.

I always suggest getting a brand new suit for your wedding.  Your Bride gets a dress, so I feel it is only fair for the Groom to get a new suit.  You can wear the suit after the wedding and I firmly believe that every man should own his own tuxedo.  You may not know when you’ll need it…but when you do, you’ll have it there, ready and waiting.

If you would like to know more about your style options, then you can contact me at simon@gutsygroom.com and we can get you on the right path to looking your best at your wedding.

By Guest Blogger OneWed.com

If you’ve ever been shoe shopping with your fiancée you’ve probably noticed those boxes of little slip on hose-type things. That’s because women tend to wear one of the three things on their feet: regular socks, hose/tights, nothing. Trying on shoes with the wrong kind of socks can make a huge difference in fit.

Are you curious about where I’m going with this? If you don’t wear a suit for work, or if you’re the kind of guy who wears white athletic socks no matter what, you may not have noticed that men also have “dress socks” and “regular socks.” If you go to try on your wedding day shoes wearing the same socks that you work out in, they won’t fit correctly. Believe it or not, your wedding attire will require you to buy a new pair of socks, and you will need to bring those socks with you when you go shopping for your wedding day shoes.

Not earth shaking or life changing advice, but still, something you need to know.

Guest Blogger Profile: Katie Martin of Eco-Beautiful Weddings

Let’s face it, there is too much emphasis on what the bride will wear both for her dress and underneath it!  Women want their men to wear sexy underwear as well.  Why not be sexy and green at the same time?  If you and your bride are planning a green wedding – why not go all the way?  What is eco-friendly underwear?  It depends on where you are in the world!  Finding underwear that is made in your country is green in and of itself.  However – if you can find a company that makes organic cotton and locally sourced fabric underwear and in your country – you’ve scored.

Here are a few favorites of mine to gear up for your wedding day, your honeymoon and life:

American Apparel has a line of organic cotton underwear – but also just has an amazing array of underwear for both you and your chica.  In fact, women love to wear American Apparel’s men’s underwear!  What could be sexier than a woman wearing your underwear?  All of their underwear is made in Los Angeles.

Rawganique organic cotton sateen boxers are also a great and sexy choice for its soft brushed feel and various colors.

Calvin Klein has a new line of 100% combed organic cotton boxer briefs.  Enough said here – women just dig Calvin Klein as they are the king of sexy men underwear models…and now you will be your fiance’s own personal model.

Remember, just a few simple choices to make your wedding green can make a huge difference…start with your underwear and who knows what other choices you will make!

Katie Martin
Editor-in-Chief
Eco-Beautiful Weddings

When it comes to wedding parties, some decide to throw on their dancing shoes and be the life of the party, while others prefer to slip into something more comfortable and observe. Del Toro Shoes are perfect for both, and they add a polished and classic look to any type of wardrobe. They are a sentimental yet practical must-have for any guy’s closet. And if not for just yourself, what better way to thank your groomsmen (and your bride-to-be!) by presenting them with a pair?

Del Toro's online shop offers popular designs as well as custom monograms that make ideal groomsmen and wedding party gifts.

These carefully handcrafted velvet loafers allow for you to customize your own logo– if you want a monogram or a traditional familial symbol embedded on the shoes, Del Toro’s are the perfect item for that special occasion or for that special someone! With four velvet colors and four linen colors to choose from, as well as endless custom embroidery options, Del Toro shoes are a perfect fit for all. DT shoes are extremely affordable and are a true keepsake. They are sure to be treasured for many years to come. DT shoes’ classy look and slick personalization cannot be overlooked by those with an eye for style.

Del Toro shoes are the casual version of the Prince Alberts, normally worn with tuxes, and allow for lucky wearers to kick back and relax in style wearing any outfit. Del Toro can take any wardrobe from day to night. Originally thought up by three prep school friends that had hopes of smoking cigars in their boarding school slippers in celebration of graduation, this idea has blossomed into a seriously luxurious line of shoes.

All of the shoes are made with leather soles and heels allowing for them to be worn with just about any outfit! The best part is that DT will send a photo shot via e-mail of what the embroidered shoe will look like to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your choice before continuing with production. Once you give DT the go ahead, you will receive your purchase in one-third of the time of what other custom loafer producers can offer you!

Del Toro Color Options

Everything about that special wedding day deserves to be remembered, so just say “I do” to Del Toro, the trendiest and most memorable loafers on the globe! This is a gift you will never forget…

Editor’s note – I had to share my favorites from the Del Toro online shop: you can’t go wrong with the skull and crossbones, the aviation series or the baseball line.

Well, what are you waiting for? Shop Del Toro now!

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disclosure: del toro shoes is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog