If any day calls for a truly special suit, it’s your wedding day.

Imagine how it will feel to stand proudly in a suit that’s been made to make you feel your very best when it matters most. Your wedding day is one of the biggest in your life, so you deserve to feel amazing for your moment in the spotlight.

Recent Moss groom Marc-Andrea Levy did just that and worked with us to create custom suits for his wedding celebrations.

Marc-Andrea and his now-wife Anne had two ceremonies – one in London, and one in the South of France – and had an outfit made-to-measure for each occasion (stay tuned to see his destination suit soon).

For his London nuptials, he chose navy linen fabric cut in a tailored fit with a half-canvas construction to give a sharp silhouette but still keep him cool when he had to be at his best. His styling choices included traditional notch lapels and light blue buttonhole stitching that nodded to the romance of the occasion. And the final flourish? He had his initials embroidered on the inside of his jacket to make his suit a memento of his big day.

With Tailor Me, our suit personalisation service, you can design the suit you’ve always wanted. From fabric to fit and the all-important styling details, we’ll craft your wedding outfit exactly how you want it, and can even add special details like custom monograms and standout linings.

Inspired to create your own one-of-a-kind suit for your wedding? Make an appointment with us in-store to start your Tailor Me experience.

When was the last time you wore a cravat? Have you ever worn one?

Guys rarely need to dig out their cravats – they’re usually saved for special occasions to make you stand out as a guest of honour. So unless you’ve had the pleasure of being a groomsman or even been the groom yourself, you may not have a clue on how to tie one.

But if you’ve got an occasion coming up that calls for one, you might want to brush up on your knowledge – it’s the last thing you should be worrying about on that special day.

WHAT EXACTLY IS A CRAVAT?

There’s a bit of confusion over what classes as a cravat. They’re basically ties with wider pieces of fabric, and there are a few ways of styling them to create different looks. When we talk about cravats at Moss Bros., we mean the ones tied in a ruffled knot, rather than the ones that are folded a bit like a scarf under an open-necked collar.

Before we go on, here’s a little trivia­ for you – the name comes from the French mispronouncing ‘croate’, meaning Croatian, after the Croatian army made cravats popular in the 1600s.

TYING THE KNOT

How on earth do you tie these things? They may look fancy, but it’s actually pretty easy. If you can do an old-school simple knot, you’ll be fine. You tie them in the same way, but keep the fabric wide so there’s enough to create a ruffle.

SO, WHY WEAR A CRAVAT?

Lots of men choose cravats to set a more formal mood for their wedding, while others prefer the more laidback feel of a tie – both are perfectly fine.

If you’ve chosen to go for lounge suits rather than tails, they’re also a great way of setting the groomsmen apart from other guests.

A COUPLE OF LAST TIPS

Waistcoats are a must if you’re wearing a cravat. The ends are wide, unlike a neat tie, so it’s better to have them out of sight.

If you’re still unsure of tying your cravat correctly, you can ask us to tie it for you. We’ll make sure it’s ready with your suit when you come to pick it up. Then, you just have to slip the loop over your head and tighten it to fit your neck.

Going out this New Year’s Eve? You’ll need to get your barnet in order, then.

We asked Gavin Hoare of Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa to give us his top four styling products and an expert’s guide on how to use them.

THE HAIRDRYER

Gavin’s top styling tip? Get to grips with a hairdryer. Not just for long locks, the hairdryer should be your go-to tool for putting a good foundation in place before you even think about adding product.

As Gavin says, “Not just for drying your hair, blowdrying your hair is about getting shape, volume and, if your hair’s a little bit unruly, it’ll give you a smoother, more refined finish.”

DUST

Need a little more help in the volume stakes?  Gavin’s number one product for thinning or fine hair is hair dust. Though it comes in various guises, Gavin says the way you use it is what matters, and advises you “apply it straight to the roots to add volume where you need it”.

WAX

Next, we move on to dressing your hair. There are loads of waxes on the market in all sorts of consistencies and the key to choosing the right one is to think about what you want to achieve – are you looking to add volume, style your hair into shape or smooth your overall style? Whatever one you choose, Gavin says you want something that gives you “flexibility and control, but even more key is that you can touch your hair throughout the day.”

GEL

And finally, Gavin’s fourth pick for your hair styling line-up is a good gel. This is what to use if you’re after a super-slick finish, but beware of the cheaper versions you’ll find in the chemist – they’re usually too watery to give you any real control. Gavin’s top tip is to “pick a hair gel that has a certain amount of stickiness to it”.

As he explains, you’ll want to use it on dry hair and evenly work your gel in section by section for the best result. It’s much harder to take gel away than it is to add a little more at a time.

They may be ruthless gangsters but those Peaky Blinders sure know how to dress.

HOW TO GET THE PEAKY BLINDERS LOOK

THEY MAY BE RUTHLESS GANGSTERS BUT THOSE PEAKY BLINDERS SURE KNOW HOW TO DRESS

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via GIPHY

More of this year’s best-dressed men wearing the stuff you’ll want to be wearing next year – and the items you need from our sale to suit up like them for less.

Shop the sale wisely, and you can pick up a few pieces that will see you smartly into next year, with a bit more cash left in your pocket to enjoy it with. Here are four well-dressed guys and the looks worth snapping up now for a stylish 2018.

Photo: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock

THE COLOURFUL TUX

He might not suit up often, but when he does, Stormzy doesn’t waste the opportunity playing it safe. Case in point: topping off his standout year at the GQ Men of the Year awards, he could have gone for a classic black tuxedo, but chose a sharp, midnight blue version instead. The sale’s a great time to pick up something a little different to the norm for less, so grab this similarly inky dress suit now to make an impact at your next black-tie bash.

Photo: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock

THE NEW NEUTRAL

Ticked off the suit-standard of black, grey and blue? Use the sale as an excuse to expand your tailoring line-up with a more adventurous shade. Neutral suits made tracks as a trend this year and will stick around thanks to being surprisingly easy to wear. Follow Beckham’s lead and wear yours with brown lace-ups and a contrasting blue shirt and tie.

Photo: Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock

THE BLACK SUIT

You can’t go wrong with a well-cut black suit and the sale’s a great time to update yours for the new year. Pick one up in a sharp, tailored fit for a fraction of its usual price and you’ll get loads of wear out of it. Style it smartly for work or, like Liam, dial up the drama for a night out by going all-in with a head-to-toe black shirt, tie and shoes.

Photo: REX/Shutterstock

THE BLUE SUIT

We’re used to seeing Bradley Cooper looking sharp in a suit, but it has to be said that the man looks particularly good in head-to-toe blue. Unsurprising, really, as a mid-blue suit is universally flattering and looks great on pretty much anyone on any occasion. Use the sale to upgrade to a designer version, with this sharply cut Ted Baker suit now at over a third off.

This New Year’s Eve, suit up and show everyone that you’re here to party.

To help you see the New Year in with a stylish bang, we’ve partnered with Marques Emmanuel on three standout party looks that’ll show 2018 that you’re ready for what ever it has to offer.

THE MINIMALIST

A minimal look gives the appearance of effortless style yet has enough impact to turn heads wherever you’re partying this NYE. The close-fitting style of this suit will flatter your frame, while keeping the rest of outfit in head-to-black adds the kind of attitude you need to make a memorable entrance. High-shine Chelsea boots and a monochrome Prince of Wales check coat are fashionable touches that’ll also keep you toasty should the party take to the streets.

THE MODERNIST

The classic white dress jacket gets a modernist reworking by swapping the traditional white dress shirt for a slim fit khaki one. The contrast in colours gives a distinctive edge, while steering clear of accessories keeps the whole look crisp and modern. Monk strap shoes are the only detail you need – and are just the thing to draw attention to your best footwork on the dancefloor.

THE REBEL

The Rebel is all about going against the norm in rich colours and textures. Be brave enough stand out in a sea of dark suits by going for a burgundy suit in a contemporary skinny fit. Rather than play it safe in a white shirt, throw some pattern into the mix. Note that Marques has kept his shirt, tie and pocket square in patterns of a similar scale and colour palette – this keeps his bold choices looking artfully put together rather than a mish-mash.

Everyone wants the perfect wedding, but your budget can often leave you feeling underwhelmed with your options. However, there are plenty of thrifty choices which can help to keep costs down, without sacrificing the overall style and ambience of your big day…

Written by Keelie Briggs, The Clued-Up Bride

UNDERSTAND WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO YOU

Talk through which elements of the day are important to you both and focus your budget there. Bear in mind, that whilst details are nice for setting the theme or style of the wedding, not all are necessary. Scrap the save-the-dates and send invitations a little earlier than planned, combine your wedding favours and place names by choosing something that acts as both and if you’ve chosen a naturally beautiful wedding venue, don’t feel the need to fork out thousands on dressings or decor, just to cover it up.

DON’T BE AFRAID OF A LITTLE DIY

Brides and grooms are having a go at everything, from invitations and favours to centrepieces and bouquets. By prioritising your DIY projects and having them ready early, you will have plenty of time to have another go if it doesn’t quite go to plan first time. Guests will love hearing how the bride and groom lovingly created elements of the day themselves (even more so if there are tales of tantrums and tears in there too).

SHOP LOCALLY AND BY SEASON

If you’re opting for real flower bouquets, choosing in-season flowers could save you a pretty penny. Similarly, by choosing local businesses and suppliers, you save costs on travel and postage fees (not to mention the environmental benefits).

However, whilst painful budget-reducing decisions are sometimes unavoidable, there are three areas that should not be compromised:

THE WEDDING DRESS

>For the bride, this will likely be something that she has dreamt about since she was a little girl. Enjoying the full bride-to-be experience is a must. Drink the free champers and embrace the happy tears from your loved ones as she leaves the changing room wearing ‘the one’.

THE SUITS

The bride will look like a princess, so the groom can’t look like he just rolled up to get married in his dad’s old suit. He needs to be able to express himself in a statement outfit; whether that’s with a contemporary 3-piece and bow tie, playful checks, or full top and tails. One thing that has to be right regardless of the style is the fit – but don’t worry, with tailoring experts in every store, Moss has made that bit easy for you!

THE PHOTOGRAPHER

One of the biggest regrets for brides and grooms is not properly researching their photographer; or calling in a favour from a friend with a ‘good camera’. Save yourself the heartache. Hire a professional who’s work you love. Then, you can re-live all those precious moments and emotions that were lovingly captured on camera.

Keelie is passionate about helping brides and grooms have fun with their wedding planning and make great decisions with their budgets.  For more big day advice, money saving tips and DIY ideas visit TheCluedUpBride.co.uk or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

3 ways to suit up for less

Our pick of some of this year’s best-dressed men wearing the trends that’ll continue into 2018, along with items in our sale that’ll help you suit up like them for less.

The end-of-season sale is a great time to snap up a standout party look for less or stock up on new tailoring that’ll make going back to work in January a little less painful. Here are three style-wise men to inspire your sale-shopping this year.

Photo: Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock

THE DOUBLE-BREASTED SUIT

Always willing to try something new when it comes to his fashion choices, Harry Styles was, of course, one of the first to embrace the return of the double-breasted suit. If you’ve not followed his lead yet, trust us when we say you’re only going to see more of the DB suit next year, so do the smart thing and pick one up in the sale now.

Photo: Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock

THE SHARP TUX

Got your NYE outfit planned yet? If not, we suggest taking a leaf out of Tinie’s impeccably dressed book and breaking out the tux. Tinie’s gone for a shimmering tuxedo jacket, but for many of us, buying an out-there jacket you’ll only wear once is a bit much. Instead, use the sale to invest in a tailored tux that you can wear this year and many more, then add in a bit of party-ready shimmer with your accessories.

Photo: Jim Smeal/REX/Shutterstock

THE CHECK SUIT

Patterned suits have been a big hit this year and will continue to dominate tailoring trends in 2018. Make it work in your office by picking an understated check in a classic shade of navy, like our friend Ryan here. This version has fashionable peak lapels – another trend that’s found its way into officewear and looks set to stick around.

Out with the old, in with the mixing and matching – it’s the fashionable way to style your wedding party. Here’s how to do it.

“Dress for the occasion, not the place” – that’s what Matthew, our hire expert from our Chester store, says about styling a wedding party. Whether you’ve booked a stately home fit for a king, or you’re going all relaxed and rustic with a barn, it’s your wedding day. We say don’t be afraid to get dressed up – it’s the biggest day of your life! And if you want to make your wedding party look the part and fashionable at the same time, make like a kid in a sweet shop and pick and mix.

ONE AND ONLY

As soon as you start throwing a few different looks into the mix, your wedding party will instantly look different to hundreds of others across the country. If you’re the groom and want to stand out from the rest of the wedding party, choosing a slightly different look from your entourage will do the trick.

We asked Matthew to show us a few options that tick both boxes: wedding party dress code and style. Get your notepad ready…

HEADS OR TAILS?

“Tails say ‘I’m getting married’ – they’re the traditional wedding outfit. You don’t have to put all your groomsmen in tails though, save them for the groom to mix things up a bit and give him all the attention (well, half of it).”

WINNING WAISTCOATS

“Just switch out your waistcoat for one in another colour or pattern, and you’ll have a mix-matched look. You could choose one in a different colour to the rest of your suit, keeping the groomsmen in the matching one. Ted Baker’s new collection is set up for mixing and matching with its combination of checked and plain suits. If you want something even more unique, you could get your waistcoat made bespoke to your wedding theme through Tailor Me – then you’ll have it to keep as a memento.”

THE HERITAGE OPTION

“This one’s very on-trend, especially for country weddings, but it works just as well for a city-centre bash. Tweed. It’s back and it’s here to stay. Make the groom stand out by picking different tweeds for him and the groomsmen, or go a step further and have the groom wear the full tweed suit, with the groomsmen wear plain suits with a just a tweed waistcoat.”

TIE IT ALL TOGETHER

“With all these looks, you can still wear a tie or cravat and pocket square that matches the bridesmaids’ dresses. Bring a swatch of the dresses to your fitting and we’ll match it to the closest possible colour. If they don’t match, you can take out the tie and layer your near-matching pocket square under a neutral-toned one to soften the impact but still pull everything together. Wearing two pocket squares differentiates the wedding party from other guests too.”

INSPIRED? START STYLING YOUR WEDDING PARTY

Wedding planning should be such an exciting time, however, the idea of planning your perfect day can quickly turn into a nightmare when those quotes start coming in, family offer their own ‘helpful’ suggestions or simply because you didn’t realise just how much goes into planning a wedding.

Written by Keelie Briggs, The Clued-Up Bride.

I’ve put together my top five tips for enjoying the whole wedding planning process, so take a few minutes, grab a cup of tea and read on…

GET ORGANISED

Whether it’s a notepad, a spreadsheet or a fancy wedding binder, you need somewhere to organise all of your plans. This includes knowing your budget and where it’s coming from, so that you don’t run into any nasty surprises later on. Keep all quotes, invoices and receipts together, then if you need to check any details it’s a two-minute job, rather than a mad blame-filled rush around the house.

TAKE NIGHTS OFF FROM WEDDING PLANNING

As exciting as planning a wedding is, it can also become an unwelcome intrusion into every conversation between you and your partner (us women are particularly guilty of this). To keep things balanced, you may find that it’s best to choose just one day or a couple of evenings to fully commit to your planning. Wedding-free time is important, so make time to enjoy a nice meal or go and see a film together; do something that you enjoyed before the big question was popped – but no one mentions the ‘w’ word!

ENJOY THE FREEBIES

Suddenly, you’re getting married and everyone is offering you free stuff! Canapés at the venue, a glass of champagne at a wedding fair, a free engagement shoot from your photographer… Even distant friends might offer you lunch so that they can hear all the juicy details. You’re spending enough on the big day; embrace the freebies!

DELEGATE

How often do you get an entourage of people at your beck and call? The bridesmaids aren’t just there to look pretty in their dresses, likewise the groomsmen can do much more than seat your guests. Write a list of all the irritating tasks and start dishing out those duties! You’ll likely find that they’re thrilled to be trusted with one of your ‘important’ wedding jobs.

KEEP IT REAL

Step away from Pinterest! Social media is great for wedding inspiration but unless you have the budget of an A-list celebrity or happen to be a relative of the royal family, the reality check of those first quotes can hit you hard.

Just take a moment to realise, as breathtakingly beautiful as these weddings may seem, they are missing one very important detail; your husband/wife at the end of the aisle.

Let your fondest memory of the day be the love and emotion that you felt. You’re in this together, decide who you want there, what is important to each of you and don’t sweat the small stuff!

Keelie is passionate about helping brides and grooms have fun with their wedding planning and make great decisions with their budgets. For more big day advice, money saving tips and DIY ideas visit TheCluedUpBride.co.uk or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.