Archive for March, 2022

How to match your wedding suit to your venue

Got the venue? Now sort your suit.

Venue booked, now hire your wedding suit

with Coco Wedding Venues

Words: E. Hla

Recently engaged? Congratulations! While I always advise taking a little time to enjoy the just-engaged bubble, it’s also very tempting to start the wedding planning ASAP – especially the venue search as locations can book up one to two years in advance… gulp.

But once you’ve found the dream spot to marry, it’s time to turn your attention to the outfits. For the bride, the wedding venue and the wedding dress go hand-in-hand and I don’t see why it should be any different for the groom. Wedding suit hire is a big deal that can save you time and money on your wedding day.

Getting the right wedding suit is important. So to help guide you through this style dilemma I’ve selected eight of my most-loved venues and matched them with the perfect suit. Pretty handy, right?

HOW TO MATCH YOUR WEDDING SUIT TO YOUR WEDDING VENUE

Upthorpe Wood, Suffolk

THE BOHO ONE

Upthorpe Wood is a magical venue set in a small private woodland, just off the beaten track in Suffolk. The team loves to encourage their couples to create a day that’s individual and unique with an easy, relaxed vibe. From getting wed under a canopy of trees, to dining in their Cartlodge and chatting around the fire until the wee hours, weddings at Upthorpe Wood are really quite special.

Beautifully wild, it’s just the spot for an outdoor boho celebration and what could be better than a bit of tweed to reflect this al-fresco vibe? For me, boho always airs on the side of being a little bit dark and moody, so I’ve opted for this herringbone tweed suit in an earthy, sage tone.

Tweed is a groom’s outfit trend that shows no signs of slowing down. But now in softer cuts and trending colours, it’s nothing like your Grandad’s boxy tweeds. To complement the laidback bohemian look of this location, pair yours with a cappuccino merino rollneck and suede brogues, or keep things classic with a white shirt, forest-green socks and sand-coloured loafers.

Stratton Court Barn, Oxfordshire

THE RUSTIC ONE

I’m crushing on this Donegal tweed lounge suit – a contemporary option that’ll look quite at home in rustic locations thanks to its textured weave and characterful flecks. Brown leather shoes match really well, as would a tonal knitted tie. So now we have the look we need a rustic venue, but which one?

Meet Stratton Court Barn – it’s found at Pool Farm, set amid rolling Oxfordshire countryside, yet only 10 minutes from Bicester. Once you enter the venue by the grand tree-lined drive, the peace and quiet of the countryside will surround you and make a seriously nice backdrop for your celebrations.

Originally built in 1870 and since thoughtfully refurbished, the barn has kept its rustic charm so it’s the perfect setting for an intimate, relaxed celebration.

St Giles House, Dorset

THE LUXE ONE

At this fine-art country house located in Dorset, you can marry surrounded by fireplaces and Old Master paintings or in their intimate and romantic grotto. It forms part of the Pleasure Grounds and was built in the early 18th century using shells brought back from the Caribbean. It’s perfect for couples looking to wed in a unique and magical setting.

This navy suit is my pick of an extra special look for your luxe wedding. Its tailored fit and matching waistcoat keep the look sleek and modern, but still classic. Pair its deep blue, 100% wool fabric with a white poplin shirt and bold-coloured silk accessories and you’ll fit right into the dramatic surroundings of St Giles House.

Chateau de Redon, France

THE DESTINATION ONE

Chateau de Redon is a romantic French venue in a relaxed and natural landscape. Set in a two-hectare private park with rare, century-old trees, it offers a secluded and exclusive location for your wedding. The Chateau was completely renovated in 2013 with modern design choices but with respect for all the authentic elements: century-old oak wooden floors, chimneys with majestic mirrors, handcrafted mouldings and intricate woodwork.

To complement such a location this stylish neutral lightweight suit is a cool but refined option. In a close-cut slim fit, it’ll give off an air of relaxed, understated charm that’s just right for this location. Plus the lightweight fabric is an obvious choice for destination weddings in warmer climes, as it’ll keep you cool. Style it with a printed shirt for laidback holiday vibes or keep things traditional with a crisp white shirt.

Mount Druid

THE VINTAGE ONE

Mount Druid in Ireland is a new addition to our collection of venues. Where vintage chic and the beauty of nature meet, we just had to pair this unique venue with this blue check suit. This sharp, slim-fit suit with a defined shoulder and tapering through the torso gives the classic Prince of Wales check a contemporary update.

Situated in the picturesque village of Castletown Geoghegan, County Westmeath, Mount Druid is an exquisite private wedding venue set in parkland of 100 acres. After getting married in their Tin Chapel, dance the night away in the converted Barn decorated with vintage chic trinkets and antique furniture.

The Hoxton Holborn, London

THE CITY ONE

The Hoxton Holborn is an intimate, relaxed hotel venue and just the space for a chic city wedding. Located in the centre of London, a stone’s throw from Covent Garden, this is one of the area’s most renowned hangouts with bars, restaurants and city views aplenty. Taking inspiration from the disco days of the 1970s The Hoxton Holborn’s event space features bold prints, velvet textures and a jaw-dropping terrazzo bar.

We’ve got the perfect match for this wow-factor venue. Our grey twill suit is super sophisticated, and it can be dressed up or down with accessories in a variety of colours and patterns. A dependable option for a packed wedding day, there’s a slight stretch to the wool-blend fabric so you’ll be comfortable all day. The neutral shade will go with any colour theme, too, and won’t leave you clashing with your show-stopping surroundings!

The Gallivant, Sussex

THE COASTAL ONE

We don’t think you could pick a more appropriate suit for a coastal wedding celebration than this light blue lounge suit. As well as being an easy option for your wedding by the sea, the shade of blue is nice and versatile. The addition of a waistcoat will elevate this adaptable suit from smart to something special.

So, which venue? Well, The Gallivant is a pretty epic venue on the raw coastline of Camber Sands in East Sussex. Weddings at this location always take place on an exclusive basis, meaning guests can enjoy the entire hotel and its 20 individually styled bedrooms for themselves. In the warmer months, big days flow naturally between the beach and the coastal-styled marquee. In the cooler months, the open log fire in the New England Room and the heated marquee create a beautiful Scandinavian/Hamptons-themed vibe.

Royal Botanic Gardens, London

THE CLASSIC ONE

I’ve saved my favourite venue for last – the incredible Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London. With floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, the Nash Conservatory offers lots of natural daylight for your wedding celebrations. The Conservatory is the oldest of the 19th-century glasshouses at Kew and is of major historical and architectural importance, making it a unique venue for your big day. The style of this venue is super versatile, but it’s really the perfect backdrop for a classically elegant wedding.

Classic doesn’t necessarily mean traditional, and while tails would certainly suit this space, I urge you to go for a dinner suit instead. There’s something very dashing about a man in this particular attire and, believe me, your better half will go a little weak at the knees when they see you in this sleek black suit.

Cut in a frame-defining tailored fit, this suit’s wool-rich fabric and peak lapel detail is black-tie tailoring at its finest. Paired with high-shine dress shoes and a black satin bow tie, there’ll be no doubt you’re the man of the moment.

WHAT’S THE RIGHT WEDDING SUIT FOR YOU?

Whatever your wedding venue or theme, it’s important that you feel comfortable and confident in your wedding suit or groom outfit. A wedding day is naturally fairly long, so you want to feel like yourself from when you head down the aisle right through to when you hit the dancefloor later. Personal style is an important part of your wedding day, so you should choose your venue and complementary wedding outfits with that in mind – there are no rules!

SHOP GROOM SUITS

Coco Wedding Venues is the first place to kickstart your wedding planning.

They are the UK’s original style-focused wedding venue directory, showcasing a carefully curated selection of the very best wedding venues in the UK and beyond.

Posted March 29th, 2022 in Hire, Hire-Weddings.

Shirt style guide: the twill shirt

There are so many different types of shirt out there that it can quickly get confusing. If you’ve ever found yourself googling ‘what is a twill shirt?’ or wondering how on earth you’re meant to know which weave to choose (and for what occasion) then you might want to check out our latest shirt style guide, dedicated to the twill shirt.

What is a twill shirt?

In short, a twill shirt is a shirt that’s made with cotton that has a twill weave. It’s not a type of fabric, but instead relates to how the fabric is woven with one thread over the other and a step between rows to create a characteristic diagonal pattern. As well as being used for shirts, twill weaves are used in denim, tweed, chinos and work clothing. It’s a classic shirt style that should last longer than just a season.

In general, a twill shirt is durable, opaque and drapes well. They also tend to show wrinkles and creases less obviously and hides stains well. If this is really something that you’re trying to avoid, then check out non-iron or zero iron twill shirts to keep those creases at bay even more. This can make them an excellent choice for events, especially if you need to travel to with your outfit in storage. It’s heavier than cotton and has a structured form, meaning it really does go the distance.

Where to wear a twill shirt?

A twill shirt is a versatile, multifunctional piece for your wardrobe. You can wear it for work, relaxed days and even working from home. It can even be styled up for more formal events, thanks to its more structured style and range of fits. You’ll find twill shirts in every style from tailored to slim to regular.

Lots of popular fabric patterns like checks, diamonds, herringbone, plaid and houndstooth are types of twill, which makes this fabric. It’s also comfortable to wear and feels soft to wear.

Because of twill’s weave, it’s durable, strong and can be worn regularly (without wearing it out). This makes it a great candidate to wear all year round and to work well when you need a stronger, sturdier shirt. It’s also great for keeping warm when the weather is cooler. If you’re wearing a suit made from a heavier material, then you might not want to layer it with a twill shirt.

Getting the right fit

Style your twill shirt without stress with our guide to getting the right fit. Because twill is a little more rigid than other types of shirt and doesn’t necessarily have the stretch, getting your measurements and sizing right is key. Measure your collar size, sleeve length, sleeve length, shoulder width and the waist size to make sure you get a shirt that fits.

When it comes to shirts for men, people tend to measure too tightly. Think about the range of movement you need to have. If you’re measuring up close to your body, add a little extra to the measurements and size up where you need to. Don’t be afraid to have a little move around when you’re trying on shirts, especially if you’re going to be dancing or walking about in your twill shirt – if you don’t damage it or wear it out, you can return it if it’s not the right size.

How to style your twill shirt

You can wear your twill shirt however feels best for you, but if you’re looking for some tips to make planning an outfit even easier, then here’s an overview of how to wear a twill shirt for whatever plans you’ve got coming up.

Formal and semi formal events

For a formal event, start out by checking the dress code. If it’s not a black tie event, you can then start to pair your twill shirt with a formal suit style. It’s usually best to stick to neutral colours like a white twill shirt and a black, navy or suit colour of your choice and to add formal details like a tie, cufflinks and even a dress watch.

A semi formal event means more a more relaxed colour palette and way more freedom to mix things up. You can even pair your shirt with trousers, chinos or a smart jacket and less formal shoes. If you want to take the formality down a notch, sometimes it’s all about the accessories. Think more relaxed shoes, belts and watches while you scale back on the formal details.

Business casual and smart casual

Business and smart casual can feel like a bit of a mystery and is sometimes open for interpretation. It usually means less focus on a formal, dressy style and more modern shapes, colours and fits. It’s more relaxed but can still feel tailored and fitted.

Think showing off your personality a little more, being flexible and moving away from safer colours. It’s not about black-tie when it comes to this type of dressing. You can try a lighter suit, linen blends and different colours with your twill shirt when it comes to this style.

Casual

A twill shirt will layer nicely for a more casual look. Think jumpers, hooded jackets or knitwear for your off-duty outfit. You can easily dress a twill shirt down with trainers, chinos or jeans too. A plain white twill shirt looks just as good as something a little bolder – such as a herringbone or check patterned twill shirt – when it comes to getting a casual look right.

With casual wear, there really are no rules when it comes to your shirt styling. You can wear exactly what you want, where you want and however you choose. Now that’s the kind of styling we can get behind.

Upping the style stakes with a twill shirt

Whatever you’re dressing for, there’s a twill shirt that you can style up or down. Getting the right fit is essential, but whichever fit or colour you go for, this is one shirt that you should add to your wardrobe. Check out all of our shirts for men and find the one that’s just right for you and your style.

Posted March 16th, 2022 in Style.

Wedding guest outfit inspiration from Fred Sirieix

Fred’s wedding guest style.

FRED’S WEDDING GUEST STYLE

Words: T. MacInnis

” If you’re heading to a wedding, you owe it to the couple to bring your best.

“Style a sharp three-piece with a shirt and tie, or a pastel suit with a cashmere polo. It’s about putting it all together in whatever way makes you feel on top of the world.”

– Fred

The new neutral

For a wedding abroad, or even a laid-back city setting, you can keep it a bit more casual. But the secret is it to get the fit just right and dress head-to-toe tonal. With Fred’s pick here, our slim fit neutral suit, leaving the waistcoat out of the equation and subbing in a T-shirt and tonal brown loafers makes it feel relaxed and ready for a party.

Elevated casual

This is a similar approach to Fred’s pick above, but this time, the suit offers up some detail in its neutral, still subtle check, a look that’s trending this season. Along with that, the performance suit is crafted in a harder wearing wool blend that’s stain resistant and so easy to wear. With a merino knit T-shirt underneath, the overall outfit looks slightly more put together than a basic white tee. And the texture of the merino is matches the matte suede of the loafers.

Back to basics

Fred’s pick of our tailored fit black and white check suit is a classic move. But, it’s a classic with a twist. This new take on tweed, with a small-scale check that’s easy to wear, is a straightforward way to work a bit of pattern into your line up. Paired with a shirt that brings out the pale blue in the suit, you can’t go wrong with this outfit – one that could even work for the groomsmen or best men.

Go all out

When in doubt, go with a full three-piece, particularly if you’re attending a wedding at a countryside estate. Both of Fred’s picks here take this formal look and add an element of personality. With the darker herringbone tweed, you get an unexpected colour in the olive, and pairing it with a knitted tie also makes it more modern. The lighter herringbone tweed is an easy way to wear a trending pastel shade, and with the textured grenadine tie, you’re again getting a pairing you wouldn’t normally see with this traditional material. Either way, both three-piece looks feel current and fresh.

Posted March 14th, 2022 in Occasions, Style, Wedding.

Shirt style guide: the poplin shirt

A poplin shirt is one of the most common shirt styles, but people aren’t generally familiar with the name. It’s also the original formal shirt fabric, so if you’ve ever dressed up for an occasion then it’s likely that you’ve worn a poplin shirt with your suit. Keep reading to find out more about this much-worn – but often unknown – shirt style.

What is a poplin shirt?

You won’t be surprised to learn that a poplin shirt is a shirt that’s made from cotton poplin fabric, sometimes with a blend of other fabrics for added benefits. It’s a smooth, crisp and tightly woven fabric that uses fine yarns and a simple weave. The end result has a lustrous surface with very fine horizontal ribs.

Poplin is commonly used in men’s shirts and, because it has a smooth finish, it’s particularly popular when it comes to formal wear. FYI, poplin is also sometimes known as tabbinet, but you won’t usually see a shirt labelled as a ‘tabbinet’ shirt.

Where to wear a poplin shirt?

The great news is that a poplin shirt is pretty low maintenance. It doesn’t usually need to be dry cleaned, doesn’t stain easily and is naturally wrinkle-resistant. Because it’s usually made with a high cotton content, odours usually wash out of it too. It’s also more breathable and feels a little softer than a twill shirt, so if you’ve tried twill before and want a change then you might prefer poplin.

Although poplin is regularly worn with formal suits, black-tie outfits and other types of formal wear, it’s completely versatile. A clean, crisp poplin shirt can easily be paired with jeans and a jacket for an understated look that still looks put-together.

Getting the right fit

To make sure you get the right size and that your outfit is just as crisp as your poplin shirt, it’s best to measure yourself properly. A shirt that fits well makes a huge difference to an outfit, and you’d be amazed at just how much it can elevate your whole look.

Start by carefully measuring your collar size, sleeve length, sleeve length, shoulder width and the waist size to make sure you get a shirt that fits. Enlist the help of an extra pair of hands if you’re finding some parts of the job a little fiddly. If you have a shirt that fits you perfectly, sometimes you can get away with just measuring your existing shirt. But remember there are sometimes slight differences in sizing between brands.

Next, check out how your measurements fit with our size guide. Remember to take measurements with your body in a natural position and without holding your breath as you might end up with the wrong size otherwise. If you’re between sizes, you can always order both sizes and see which you feel the most comfortable in. It’s not a great feeling to be in a shirt that’s too tight, or to see that your shirt has changed the way you wanted your outfit to look, and not for the better.

How to style your poplin shirt

Although poplin has a reputation for formal wear, that’s not all it’s good for. As it’s so easy to dress up or down with some simple additions, a poplin shirt’s a real wardrobe must-have. Here’s how you can wear one, wherever you’re headed.