Coordinate System: 4 Stylish Looks for the Groom
Outfit your mister in ready-to-wear bow tie, sock and boutonniere combinations that all add up to one dapper gent, no matter how you do the math.
I styled, produced and wrote this piece on men's sock and bow tie pairings for Seattle Bride magazine. You can check out caption copy below or read the piece in its entirety here.
1. ELEGANT GENTLEMAN (top right)
For a playful, relaxed look that’s still dressy, a salmon and gray windowpane plaid bow tie, made from 100 percent vintage Pendleton worsted wool, and black multicolor dot socks are complemented by a burgundy ranunculus, dark purple anemone and silvery dusty miller foliage boutonniere, wrapped in gray satin for an extra dignified twist. Details: bow tie (each is one-of-a-kind), $65 from Kenmore-based Hapertas & Company; St. Croix black multicolor dot socks, $42 from Butch Blum in downtown Seattle; boutonniere, $12 from Flower Lab in West Seattle.
2. ONE FINE FELLA (bottom right)
An autumn-inspired khaki plaid bow tie made from vintage cotton and olive- and orange-striped wool socks play well off each other, while a boutonniere of yellow craspedia, orange rosehip blossoms, black agonis and Sweet William foliage, all wrapped in leather snakeskin-printed ribbon, pulls the look together with its warm color palette. Details: Bow tie, $88 by Radley Raven in South Seattle; Bella Merino wool socks, $20 from Hammer & Awl in Madrona; boutonniere, $15 from Wallingford-based Loves Me Flowers.
3. MAN OF THE HOUR (bottom left)
For trendy grooms looking to make a big-day statement, a coral-hued boutonniere (made of orange-red ranunculus, orange rosehip blossoms and lycopodium wrapped in black leather cord and accented by silver nailhead embellishments) pops when matched with a gray lambskin and black leather bow tie with brass hardware and a pair of burgundy plaid cotton nylon socks. Details: Bow tie, $98 by Jonquil & Mr Black in SoDo; “Bordeaux” socks, $16 from Suitsupply in downtown Seattle; boutonniere, $15 from Loves Me Flowers.
4. CITY SLICKER (top left)
For the groom searching for a classic look with urban edge, here’s a cue: a suave charcoal- and steel-hued bow tie in natural ivory silk, and gray dress socks with a subtle striped pattern, put together brilliantly with this subtle lily of the valley boutonniere. Details: “Quinn” bow tie, $130 from Fremont-based Handsome Menswear; Calvin Klein microfiber socks, $22/three-pack at Macy’s; boutonniere, $14.50 from Umlaut & Ampersand in Columbia City.**
Zuma orange tray, $29.95 from Crate & Barrel
**Originally styled for the Fall/Winter 2015 issue of Seattle Bride magazine.
