Bristol Vintage Wedding Faire

With only a week to go until the exciting and inspirational Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair, Douglas (Brown in Town’s mannequin) considers what to wear on the day – and also his chances of becoming acquainted with other exhibitors like the The Beehive Brides, or perhaps Miss Jones!

The first of it’s kind in Bristol, the Vintage Wedding Fair takes up residence again this year (on March 16th) at the historical Clifton Pavilions at Bristol Zoo, and what a befitting venue it is too; ‘founded in 1835 by local eminent citizens’, the zoo still retains a lot of it’s original architecture, and I encourage anyone attending the fair to take a look around the pavillion and other buildings at the zoo once you’ve viewed our wares.

For our part, this will be Brown in Town’s first such event this year and we’re honoured to be a part of the Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair. Moreover, we’re looking forward to the opportunity to wax sartorial with the discerning groom for it is our experience that brides and grooms that appreciate all things vintage, and, ergo, a vintage wedding, appreciate the fine art of bespoke tailoring.

But why do we love vintage so, and why do we love vintage clothes? Certainly where the gents, and their suits, are concerned I believe the answer lies in the fact that suits were tailor made – also, that the cloth was typically of a heavier weight and therefore was harder wearing than modern suits which are not designed to keep us as warm as suits used to be required to do.

CLOTH

Also, suits were handmade, by a tailor, for the wearer – this means the suit is kept in perfect shape by the wearer themselves, ergo, the suits lasted longer and have been passed down generation to generation – in addition, tailor made suits typically retain the inseam which is so often trimmed from off-the-peg clothing, so the garment can be adjusted to fit the next wearer, to a greater or lesser degree.

But what makes a suit look vintage? In my experience, we are often endeavouring to emulate the suits which our forefathers wore; these were often flannel (a cloth which is roughed or brushed and has a more textured finish than it’s finer and smoother cousins, more common in today’s suits) or tweed – both popular choices for my grooms.

Then there is the question of ensemble: 3 piece suits are often considered to have vintage appeal, as, historically, we have worn 3pc suits – just add fob watch and hat to taste!

Once it has been decided if the groom will be wearing a 3pc suit, or 2pc suit, the next question is invariably one of colour of cloth. There are myriad cloths, and cloth colours, but those which strike a resounding chord with vintage lovers are tweeds autumnal shades i.e. brown or fawn. A herringbone pattern in the cloth is another popular choice.

Which colour is correct, however, and assuming the bride has not already chosen the colour of the suit based on the wedding dress colour (something else which may be taken into consideration) is a cloth colour that flatters the wearer, one that compliments either the wearer’s hair colour,  eye colour  or complexion (or increasingly, beard colour!).

The reason for this, is that it is of utmost importance that we look good in those wedding photos for years to come, and wearing a suit colour which compliments the wearer, not just our ensemble, is elementary.

There are, of course, other ways to achieve a vintage look – Douglas has plumped for vintage smoking jacket, but if you’d like to discuss your sartorial requirements with Brown in Town, then please enquire within..