Weddings 2012 Planning Guide: Menswear

BOOMER
The Boomer groom isn’t a traditionalist—he tends to be young, in shape (hey, slim fits aren’t forgiving to all body types) and looking for something edgy for his wedding day. The artfully curated selection of suits is dominated by names like Hugo Boss and Germany’s Cinque ($595–$995). French cuff shirts by Tiger of Sweden ($125–$195) pair well with the suiting and look great with a skinny black tie. 309 Queen St. W. (at John St.), 416- 598-0013.

BROOKS BROTHERS
Grooms take a seat in leather chairs as attentive staff bring out off-the-rack tuxes from luxe label Golden Fleece, starting at $2,198. Peak collars are still the lapel of choice, but the sartorially daring can pair a white shawl-collar dinner jacket ($925) with traditional black pants for a look evoking the Rat Pack’s heyday. Grooms looking to bring a taste of merry old Toronto to the wedding will find plenty of options with tails. Made-to-measure available. Closed Sunday. 200 Bay St. (at Wellington St. W.), 416-368-0162.

FRANCESCO SR. BESPOKE
Who says the bride is the only one who should be splurging on wedding-day attire? At Francesco Pecoraro’s Bloor Street shop, grooms luxuriate on comfy couches, sipping espresso or a drink from the well-stocked bar. Pecoraro, a Milanese tailor with 64 years under his belt, cuts custom-made suits (starting at $4,500) from the finest European fabrics, completed with hand stitching and lined with silk. By appointment only. Closed Sunday. 89 Bloor St. W. (at Bellair St.), Ste. 201, 416-324-9777.

GOTSTYLE
Finally at street level, this new location still has the in-house barbershop and on-site tailor from its old second-floor King Street digs. Off-the-rack suiting options come in smoky charcoal greys—slim-fitting Cinque ($650) or Lab Pal Zileri suits starting at $895, for instance. But the real luxury for grooms is a made-to-measure tux from the eponymous house label, starting at $995 for a three-piece. The tailor will create an ensemble that echoes the sharp styling seen on the runways of Milan. 62 Bathurst St. (at Wellington St. W.), 416-260-9696.

GREENSHAG BESPOKE CLOTHIER
GreenShag’s Victoria McPhedran recommends guys bring in items that inspire them when they come for a consultation on a custom-made tux. She’s had clients bring photos of car interiors and soccer legend David Beckham in order to help her design the perfect fits-like-a-glove outfit. “Most guys want to look trim on their wedding day,” McPhedran says. “No one wants to look like they’re 200 pounds when they’re not.” Prices vary, as almost every detail of a tux is customizable, but a basic three-piece starts around $1,900. And it’s not just for the fellas—McPhedran has outfitted numerous lesbian weddings, with brides seeking beautiful handmade suits that aren’t as frou-frou as typical options. 670 Queen St. W. (at Euclid Ave.), 416-360-7424.

HARRY ROSEN
The five-floor mecca for all things luxe offers every kind of tux available in a surprisingly wide range of prices. Grooms who want to look every bit as good as their partners pick out tuxes from Armani Collezioni (from $2,195), Boss Black, Zegna and Canali. J. P. Tilford by Samuelsohn tuxes ($1,198) offer a more affordable, though no less stylish, option. 82 Bloor St. W. (at Bellair St.), 416-972-0556; plus five other GTA locations.

NICOLAS MEN
Grooms seeking a taste of old-world charm come for the complimentary cups of cappuccino and espresso but stay for tuxes from Paul Smith (noted for his whimsical touches, such as contrasting pocket and jacket liners) and Kenzo (a $2,095 transformable jacket has a Nehru collar that morphs into a narrow-lapelled look). Nicolas’s eponymous line of half silk, half cotton shirts ($350–$395), goes well with a pair of luxe Lidfort shoes ($1,095), handmade in Italy in a supple black leather. Made-to-measure options are available, too, from Italian luxury labels Zegna and Lardini. 153 Cumberland St. (at Avenue Rd.), 416-966-2064.

OFF THE CUFF
At this tiny Yonge and Eglinton boutique, grooms opt for interesting suits over tuxedos, scooping up deeply discounted consignment duds by the likes of Boss, Pal Zileri, Hermès, Prada, Canali, Tom Ford and Gucci. Owner Lee Romberg even outfitted one groom in a purple corduroy Etro number. Romberg says the Mad Men look is still popular, meaning trim suits in navy and deep grey. Closed Sunday. 5 Broadway Ave. (at Yonge), 416-489-4248.

PERRY’S YORKVILLE
Dressing Toronto’s establishment since 1951, Perry’s does a brisk trade in Canadian-made house-label suits (from $625) and slightly more upmarket items produced by Samuelsohn ($995–$1,425). The specialty is the made-to-measure suit ($1,795–$3,800): choose the fabric, along with such options as an extra pair of trousers or real surgeon’s cuffs (so you can roll up your sleeves in style). Accommodations can be made for double-breasted jackets and larger sizes. Perry’s creates tailored shirts in two-ply pima cotton (from $315); you can also browse Italian cotton business shirts by Perry’s private label ($115–$195). 1250 Bay St. (at Cumberland St.), 416-923-7397.

PHILIP SPARKS
For guys who don’t want a traditional tux, Sparks offers suiting options from classic two-button jackets and vests in a smoky charcoal to summer sport coats in a navy blue pincord that resembles a luxe seersucker. Shirts are also on offer, with tuxedo fronts to appease a traditionalist fiancée. By appointment. 639 Queen St. W. (at Bathurst), Ste. 5005, 647-886-0467.

QUATTRO CLOTHIERS
Hidden in the Manulife Centre, Quattro Clothiers caters to the current movement of European-style custom-tailored suits, helping to make the tuxedoed groom a rare breed. The staff helps you decide the weight, weave, design and fabric (the 100% Marzotto wool is very light and comfortable) of your custom suit ($800–$1,500). On the wedding day, they provide complimentary off-site fitting and tie tying services to make sure you look winsome walking down the aisle. Imported Italian silk ties ($80–$140), cufflinks ($75–$130) and pocket squares ($40–$75) complete your ensemble, and can also be included in gift packages for groomsmen. 55 Bloor St. W. (at Bay St.), level 1, 416-323-2221.

STAGIONI
About 90 per cent of this 2,000-square-foot store is dedicated to Italian-made suits. Tombolini tuxes are around $1,395, but for the groom whose social calendar isn’t full of black-tie events, black and navy suits by Feraud are a slightly cheaper option ($995). Fitted shirts from Van Laick ($225–$295) and Balsile (under $200) go perfectly with the shorter jackets and slim-legged pants that have been popular lately. Closed Sunday. 20 Toronto St. (at Court St.), 416-365-7777.

SYDNEY’S
In his new space (the last one, also on Queen Street, was gutted by a fire), owner and tailor Sydney Mamane sells designer suits shown on Parisian runways by the likes of Dries Van Noten, Marni and Jil Sander (from $1,500). His own line, Kin, offers slightly cheaper options ($895–$995) in the typical Sydney colour scheme: black, grey and navy. Mamane says grooms tend to go for the luxe option (Dries, etc.), while the groomsmen stick to the more affordable Kin. Always the groomsman, never the groom, eh? 682 Queen St. W. (at Markham St.), 416-603-3369.

TOM’S PLACE
Did you blow the whole wedding budget on booze and catering? Never fear, Tom’s is here. With more than 10,000 suits crammed into this small Kensington Market space, there’s an option for every frugal groom. Black suits, which, because of their versatility, are chosen more often than tuxedos, start at only $199 for the in-house brand and climb to $1,400 for a designer label. Tuxes can be found, too, ranging from $595 for Tom’s Montreal-made designs to $1,600 for an Armani Collezioni (normally around $1,500). 190 Baldwin St. (at Spadina), 416-596-0297.

(Images: Emma McIntyre)