Getting shirty: options for the menfolk

Image from the blank-label site

So I featured Duchess Clothier a while ago, but they don't have an online custom-shirt-ordering function. I have seen a couple of other such sites, but they didn't have much choice when it came to fit. A concern when you have a six-foot beanpole with a taste for the 60s and 70s (when shirts were slim).

Blank-Label seems a bit funkier, however. There is the option to customise body fit, neck size and sleeve length all independently. And their monogramming option is totally, gorgeously fab - imagine ordering these for the groomsmen, and getting their name, or some silly in-joke, embroidered on the inside collar?

The detailing options are pretty good - you can play with a lot of different shapes and contrast-colouring options (different coloured plackets and collar linings for each groomsman?). Get to choose your buttons (each groomsman in the same shirt with different buttons?). The only thing lacking, I think, is the option to add cowboy-shirt-styled back and front panels. You know, the pointy kinda panels, instead of straight across? And some plaid fabric options would be nice. Just sayin'.

I want this wedding

It's not actually a real wedding, it's a photo shoot. Boo.

Sans the cigarettes, and the kids (cute, but I don't know any kids).

I've always detested wedding photos of the groomsmen all wearing (invariably) wraparound mirrored sunnies, but this 'groom' (and his 'bride') are rockin' their shades. I've also been dying to get BCB some totally awesome pointy boots, mostly because his friend has some and they look rad, and so do Nick Cave's (the Nick Cave exhibition on at the WA Museum right now has fostered a bit of extra lust for the handlebar 'tache and the pointy boots).

From Cory Kennedy, via East Side Bride.

Men in Vests

BCB picked up a vest from Circa Vintage in Melbourne last year. He was hoping for a full three-piece suit, but nothin' doin', so he bought a complimentary vest (powdery blue-grey suit; commodore blue vest). And he's been wearing it a bit on its own, too.

This post over at GreenShoesBride shows off the vest-without-a-jacket thing quite nicely. I like it. I think it could work well with a short dress, non?

Also, there is a gorgeously intellectual thread on appropriate wedding attire over here, at the London Lounge.

PS: Sorry for the lack of pictures. You have no idea how many *uncool* grooms in red or gold rental tux vests there are out there.

More suit options for the Lank of Build and Retro of Style

To be honest, we haven't looked into the cost yet. But with the tanking Australian dollar it might end up costing no more than a made-to-measure suit from Duchess Clothier.

Fullin Tailoring, on Beaufort St in Mt Lawley, are third generation Italian tailors, willing and able to make "period style suits". I guessed this before I checked out their site. Because their window display has two chipped mannequins in lime green and rust red 70s safari suits. Those outfits mightn't match our "wedding theme", but they'd sure match BCB's sideburns.

Duds for my love

To be honest, I haven't done much searching within Perth for an outfit for BCB. It's kind of his job, no? But I'm not holding out a whole lot of hope right now. He's a skinny, lanky thing, and regular cut dress pants look just a bit silly on him. Most of his suits are vintage. 70s cuts, with their slim fit, fitted waists and flared pants look rather dashing on him.

So maybe he'll just wear his lovely powdery-blue-grey suit from Circa Vintage.


Else, ordering online from Duchess Clothier is looking like a distinct possibility. Made to measure retro suits for $500 US? Hell yeah.