Tuxedos for the whole family for one occasion

When a whole family wears tuxedos on the same day, whether it is a son's wedding, a grandparents' anniversary or a family portrait, the question is not whether to dress identically. It is how closely to match, and who needs to stand out. A family looks put together when the outfits speak the same language, yet the main figure is still recognisable at first glance.

Who is being fitted: fathers, sons, brothers

Three groups come up often. The groom's father and brothers at a wedding. A father and sons for a portrait session. Or two or three generations of men at a large family event.

Each group needs something different. A groom's father usually wants a suit that is formal yet comfortable, since he will stand greeting guests all evening. The groom's brothers may be younger and prefer a closer cut. Boys need room for growth, and since children grow fast, the tailor will advise by age and be clear about what can be altered. A man who has worn a tuxedo for years can ask the tailor whether a new one or an adjusted old one makes more sense.

What matters is that everyone is measured for their own build. The same style cut for a tall, slim man will differ from one cut for a shorter, stockier man. Matching lives in the style, colour and details, not in forcing one pattern onto every body.

Matching by degree

You can choose one of three levels, depending on formality and budget.

Level 1, identical. Same cloth, same lapel, same accessories. It suits family portraits where uniformity is the point. The risk is that viewers struggle to tell who the main figure is.

Level 2, same tone, different details. Same colour and cloth family, with a different lapel or accessories. For example, the father wears TUX-004, black with a peak lapel, and the brothers wear black with shawl lapels. The family looks unified without looking cloned.

Level 3, a shared palette. Each man in a different colour within one range: black, navy, charcoal. This suits weddings where many relatives take part. Take TUX-043, navy with a black satin shawl lapel, and set it beside a black tuxedo: the two still sit together comfortably.

The article on father and son family photos in tuxedos goes further into colour choices for two generations.

One shared fitting schedule

Scheduling is the demanding part of making for several people at once. A few habits keep it orderly.

• Book the group into one session if you can. The tailor compares cloth, colour and style across everyone side by side.
• For relatives who live far away, tell your consultant early so they can guide self-measuring or arrange a separate slot.
• Settle style and cloth as a group first, then measure each person. Avoid everyone ordering from a different place.
• Keep one last fitting for the whole group close to the event, so the tailor sees the full picture and alterations can still be done.

Making time depends on the design and fitting schedule, and your consultant will confirm it at the measurement. Large families should order well ahead of the wedding or event, since appointments for many people are harder to fit in than one.

Keeping the main figure distinct

At a wedding the groom should be the one who stands out most in the photographs. To do that without losing the family backdrop, use deliberate differences.

• A different colour or lapel. The group wears black and the groom wears navy or a deeper shade such as TUX-026, burgundy with a satin peak lapel. A different colour is a clear signal.
• Accessories. The groom's bow tie, pocket square and cufflinks can be finer.
• An extra waistcoat or cummerbund. The others wear two pieces and the groom adds a waistcoat.
• A boutonniere. Simple and effective.

The rule is to let the difference come from one or two elements, not all of them. Too many changes at once make the groom look as if he belongs to another group.

If both families are wearing tuxedos, coordinating both sides of the family helps find common ground without leaving anyone out.

Book a fitting at Mon Amie

The family can visit the showroom together so the tailor advises the whole group in one sitting. Tell us how many people, each person's role and the colours you have in mind, and your consultant will propose suitable suits and arrange a shared measuring schedule. Book a fitting at the showroom or read the made-to-measure tuxedo page before you come.