Your wedding suit was a key part of your big day, but what comes next? Instead of letting it gather dust at the back of your wardrobe, there are plenty of options to give it a new lease of life. From repurposing and selling to storing it properly, here’s how to make the most of your wedding attire after the celebrations are over.
Repurpose, Sell or Store – Weighing Up Your Options
First things first: Any suit doesn’t have to be a one-time outfit. Deciding what to do with it depends on sentimental value, practicality and your future wardrobe needs. Some grooms like to keep theirs for sentimental reasons, while others prefer to pass it on or transform it into something new.
Repurposing Your Wedding Suit
You’ve spent the time and money getting a well-tailored, bespoke suit. Now the big day has come and gone, does that mean you can’t ever wear it again?
Of course you can! While your options may be based on the style of suit you opted for, there’s always room for other times to wear it. You never know when a good suit could come in handy.
Here’s a breakdown of possible options for different suit types:
1. Classic Three-Piece Suit
- When to Wear: Formal events, business meetings, winter weddings, races
- Why: The waistcoat adds a touch of formality, making it perfect for structured occasions such as formal events and the like. While it’s not ideal to wear the same suit 1:1 for another wedding, using elements like the waistcoat, or the rest of the suit without it, should be fine.
2. Two-Piece Suit
- When to Wear: Work, dinner dates, semi-formal events, smart-casual gatherings
- Why: Versatile enough to dress up or down, depending on the occasion, a two-piece is the classic suit for nearly any occasion. Mix and match different shirts, ties, and cufflinks to shake up the style, or wear them with different jackets and trousers for a different look altogether.
3. Tuxedo/Black Tie Suit
- When to Wear: Black tie events, gala dinners, award ceremonies, formal evening weddings
- Why: A timeless classic for high-end occasions requiring extra polish, it’s always worth having a tuxedo suit to hand. Plus, because this look is so uniform, it’s not likely to be seen as you repurposing the wedding suit.
4. Double-Breasted Suit
- When to Wear: Business settings, evening events, vintage-themed occasions
- Why: As a bold, structured look that commands attention, this suit is great for set themes, evening events that need a little more style, or a high-impact business event.
Another option for repurposing a suit is to get it re-tailored into different items. This is great if you feel unsure about wearing it exactly as it is for other occasions, especially considering the sentimental value of a wedding. You could repurpose the fabric into a bespoke waistcoat, a pair of tailored shorts or even a stylish overcoat.
Selling the Suit
For some people, keeping things just because it isn’t the way. While many choose to rent a suit for this sort of occasion, if you opted for a bespoke option and now prefer to pass it on, selling is a great way to recoup some of the cost. Specialist second-hand clothing sites, wedding resale platforms and even high-end charity shops offer options to give it a second home. The better the condition, the more value you can expect in return.
For designer or custom-made suits, boutique consignment stores can be a great option, giving someone else the chance to enjoy a premium-quality suit at a fraction of the original cost. Just remember that second-hand suits tend to not sell for the full price, so you’ll be taking a bit of a financial hit either way.
Storing and Showcasing For the Memories
Keeping your suit as a memento? Proper storage is key to preserving its quality. A breathable garment bag in a cool, dry space will prevent damage from dust, moisture or moths, making sure it stays in pristine condition for years to come.
While some of the steps may be similar to how to travel with a suit, storing one long-term has a slightly different approach. The experts over at ehowbeauty have a full breakdown of the steps to take for storing a suit in this way:
If you plan to keep it long-term, consider a preservation service. Some cleaners offer vacuum-sealed storage options to prevent yellowing and deterioration over time. If your suit has a sentimental monogram or embroidery, you might even want to display it in a shadow box as a tribute to your wedding day.
How to Get More Wear Out of Your Wedding Attire
A wedding suit doesn’t have to be a one-hit wonder. With a little styling know-how, it can become a staple in your wardrobe for years to come. Many grooms enjoy finding creative ways to wear their suit again, making it a stylish and practical addition to their clothing collection.
- Break it up into separates: The jacket pairs well with chinos or dark jeans for a smart-casual look, while the trousers can be styled with a lightweight knit for more relaxed occasions. If you chose a three-piece suit, the waistcoat can be a great addition to a more laid-back outfit, giving it a classic yet effortless look.
- Dress it down: Swap the wedding shirt and tie for a more relaxed open-neck shirt or turtleneck, making it perfect for dinner dates, work events or even a day at the races. You could even throw a casual blazer over the wedding trousers for an easy business-casual outfit.
- Re-tailor for a fresh look: A few simple alterations, such as adjusting the trousers for a slimmer fit or shortening the jacket sleeves, can give it a modern refresh without buying a whole new suit. If your suit has a traditional or formal cut, a tailor can make subtle changes to bring it up to date with current trends.
Rewearing your suit is a great way to get value for money while reducing fashion waste. With a few tweaks, it can transition from wedding day to everyday style with ease. Some grooms even choose to wear this outfit on anniversaries or special occasions, keeping the memory alive in a stylish and practical way.
Your wedding suit doesn’t have to be a once-in-a-lifetime outfit. Whether you repurpose it for future events, sell it to give it a second life or store it as a keepsake, taking the right steps will make sure it stays in great condition. Cleaning it properly, considering minor alterations and breaking it up into separates all help maximise its potential. Instead of hiding it away, give it a fresh purpose and enjoy it long after the big day.
