A cummerbund is a pleated waist sash worn strictly with a single-breasted dinner jacket. To wear one correctly, wrap it around your natural waist with the pleats facing upwards. It must sit precisely where your shirt meets your trousers, covering the waistband entirely to create a seamless transition between your top and bottom halves. If you are finalising your black tie attire for an upcoming event, you can explore our cummerbund hire options to secure the perfect accessory. Step by Step Guide to Fitting Your Cummerbund Prepare your trousers: Ensure you are wearing formal trousers with side adjusters or braces rather than a belt. A belt will create an unsightly bulge underneath the fabric. Check the pleat direction: Hold the...
Styling green tweed successfully hinges on balancing its heritage weight with clean, contemporary wardrobe pieces to ensure you look effortlessly sharp rather than in costume. By leaning into the fabric's natural depth, treating three-piece components as separates, and pairing them with the correct textures, you can seamlessly navigate environments from high-profile winter weddings to relaxed weekend lunches. Green Tweed Styling Options To maximise the impact of a green three-piece suit like our Appleton green tweed, your styling choices should reflect the exact formality of the setting. Formality Level Core Configuration Shirt / Underlayer Neckwear Footwear Formal / Wedding Full 3-Piece (Jacket, Trousers, Waistcoat) Crisp White Poplin or Ecru Liberty Print Floral Tie Knitted Tie (Burgundy, Navy) Dark Brown Leather Brogues...
Burns Night is a celebration of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, marked on or around 25 January with haggis, poetry, whisky and often a ceilidh. Whether your supper is in a college dining hall, a formal venue or a friend’s sitting room, what you wear sets the tone. Below is a clear guide to dressing well for Burns Night, from full Highland dress to subtle tartan accents. 1. Start with the dress code Before you decide on an outfit, check the invitation or ask the host. Formal Burns suppers often suggest one of the following: Highland dress Black tie Smart or smart casual If the event mentions a piper, speeches and a set running order, you can assume it will...
‘The difference between good and great is attention to detail’, so goes the well-known quote. At Shepherd and Woodwards, attention to detail is of paramount importance to us. A suit lapel speaks more about your character, or the event that you are attending, than you may realise. ‘Lapel’ is the fancy term used to describe the two flaps of fabric that are at either side of the suit opening, starting at the shoulder and ending at the point at which the first button of the jacket is positioned. Your choice of lapel will be determined by which event you are purchasing your suit jacket for, so we have put together a handy guide so that you will be ‘in the...
There is a saying that has been circulated in men’s suit fashion - ‘Suit maketh the man, and details maketh the suit’. Although this is a playful twist on a 14th century proverb, quoted in The Kingsman - ‘manners maketh man’, there is a lot of truth in it when it comes to finessing your new suit-to-be. Details make all the difference, and it's what personalises the suit to you! There is much emphasis around how a suit may appear from the front - from buttons, lapel styles and pockets to fabrics and patterns, that allow you to add the personal touch. After all, as you admire your new suit in front of the mirror, it's the front that you...
