Evening star., 1936-03-29


typical bridegroom is every bit as much -, #
not more - concerned about what he and his
ushers are to wear. and about what he is to
take with him on the wedding journey, as is
his bride about her trousseau.
The one question that is of equal concern
to both is whether the bride may wear white
arA veil if the groom and his attendants
fail to wear cutaway coats? And in reply to
this1 hate to have to say that, if the wedding
is to be formal one which takes place in a
city. the groom must. am afraid, wear
cutaway.
Whether the bride wears the most elaborate
bridal dress and veil, and has half dozen
bridesmaids, or whether she is wearing
cOlored dress with hat, for the bridegroom
and his best man, at no matter what hour of
the day - no matter whether the marriage
takes place in cathedral or in a house the
proper clothes are as follows:
Black cutaway coat.
Waistcoat to match (or white if wedding is
a very big one).
Grey striped trousers (or black with white
pin stripes.
Stiff white shirt.
Wing collar.
Black and white tie or grey tie, (either
four-in-hand or bow grey or white ascot. ii
preferred).
Plain black shoes and socks. Of the groom
cares about smartness, the soles of his shoes
should be freshly painted black so as to look
well cared for when they are turned toward
the congregation as he knees.)
White boutonniere.
White chamois gloves (if any.
Silk hat.
The reason hated to say that the men of
the bridal party must wear cutaway coats is
that these clothes are not likely to be useful
to the majority of young American men
unless they live in Washington or New York
or one of the largest cities. Therefore, there is
a great deal to be said in favor of the en-
tremely smart but slightly less formal black
sack coat. (Other details same as for cutaway
except that the correct hat is derby, though
none but the ultra -fastdious disapprove of
the black Homburg)
The advantage of this coat is that it is
much more useful because suitable for both
formal and not so formal occasions. For one
IIlR II ellIIllIldLcS d SILK Hdt WllIlOuI WHICH
a cutaway is impossible. 1t is possible that
these clothes, which are seldom worn by any
but the super smart, may not be sold in the
eady-to-wear stores.
But even so, it does seem sensible to suggest
to the first groom-t be in his fraternity or his
club. that he and his ushers consider the use
full sack coat instead of the useless cutaway
coat, and equally useless silk hat. On the
other hand, unless the whole group agrees
on this, then silk hat and cutaway is un-
avoidable unless weddings are limited to
informal country ones.
One thing which must be emphasized: The
most important exaction of every perfect
wedding picture is that the men of the bridal
party shall be as precisely alike as soldiers in
the same regiment. The bridegroom and his
best man may differ slightly j just as officers
differ slightly from privates. Sometimes they
wear ascot ties or white waistcoats, while the
ushers wear black waistcoats and four-in-
hand ties But there the difference ends and
all other details must be the same.
But they need not always wear formal
clothes In smaller towns and in the country,
at any wedding that can be considered simple,
each man in the bridal party may wear: