​The biggest misconception about your wedding suit, according to Café Costume

Photo (above): Suit: Café Costume - Photographer: Marvis Chan

Article in collaboration with Café Costume

Perfection through imperfection

Stefan immediately explains his vision of “perfection through imperfection” during the first appointment at Café Costume. "I often refer to “sprezzatura”, a typically Italian nonchalance that still comes across as very elegant. Very stylish people sometimes deliberately do something “wrong” to make their look even better. Some examples: a tie that is too long, tucking your tie into your trousers, leaving buttons on your sleeves undone, etc. These are stylistic “mistakes” that complete your outfit."

Stefan wants to show couples that imperfection does not have to be sloppiness, but can instead be a choice. ‘It's nice to know the rules and then deliberately flout them, rather than making mistakes without knowing it. That's why we provide advice, knowledge and, in addition, freedom. That creates ownership.’

Honest advice for your body

During the measurement process, the lines of your body immediately become clear. Stefan uses this moment to give honest morphological advice. ‘We can quickly see if someone has sloping shoulders, a hollow back, or a certain balance. We then match that with a fit based on what works well for your body. We may recommend trying a higher waist or wider legs. You can really trust our recommendations. If you have a different preference, that's fine too. However, you can always take our advice with you into the future.’

Stefan's favourite example of such a tailor-made suit was one he made for a slightly heavier man who came in wearing tight jeans. "That fit didn't suit his body. Unfortunately, he often couldn't find what he wanted in regular shops. Thanks to the measurements, I was able to recommend a high waist, with wide legs and braces. It was completely different from what he normally wore, but he went along with it completely. As soon as he put on his suit, he felt more comfortable and it suited him perfectly. He came back for two extra pairs of trousers and another suit. It's fantastic that we can help him so well! Those are the moments when you feel that trust really works."

A suit you can wear later

• Café Costume designs wedding attire that will remain in your wardrobe after the wedding day. Comfort determines whether your suit remains a wedding suit or becomes a garment that you will wear later. Stefan shares: ‘I wear my Café Costume shirts and trousers all the time outside of work because they fit really well. That's what makes something usable: not the colour or the trend, but how it feels. The majority of men consciously choose usability. Customers who want to use their suit often usually opt for more subdued colours and let the shape take precedence.’

  

  Fabric and colour move with you

  If you choose to wear your wedding suit later on, the choice of material is crucial. Stefan advises: ‘Most customers choose wool. It is durable, versatile and drapes well. However, someone who cycles a lot is better off choosing wool with a little elastane. For someone who travels a lot, we recommend other fabrics. We always start with the story of the wearer and how the suit will be worn.’

  The colour of the suit is also an important consideration for many customers. However, Stefan adds a nuance: ‘In the shop, you see a colour under one light. Outside, it will look different, both in the sun and in the rain. And even indoors, you never sit in the same light all day. So don't get fixated or stare blindly at that one piece of fabric.’

  

  After-sales service: fine-tuning together

  Extra handy: after collection and after your wedding, alterations are included at Café Costume. Stefan explains: "During the fitting session, you wear the suit for about twenty minutes. That's enough to know that it looks good. However, after wearing the suit for a whole day, you may notice that the trousers could be slightly longer, or that the shirt is too tight when worn with a jumper. We are happy to adjust this for you. For very large alterations, we do charge an alteration fee, but this is still quite low. We are happy to let your suit evolve with you."

  Stefan shares another little touch that makes your wedding suit extra personal. "Don't you wear a corsage in the buttonhole on your left shoulder? Then I think it's nice to pick a flower along the road or at your wedding venue on the day itself, or even something growing between the tiles at the town hall. You can put that flower in your buttonhole or breast pocket, and it may wilt during the day, but it is from that place, from that moment – a spontaneous imperfection."

  

  About Café Costume

  Café Costume specialises in making tailor-made suits, trousers and shirts. They have no shortage of experience: as the fourth generation of Van Gils tailors and with seven shops in Belgium, they are more than an established name in their industry. Since September 2022, they have also been making tailor-made suits for women. Their mission? To make tailor-made clothing as accessible as possible for everyone.

  

  Read more about this topic via these links:

  Do's and don'ts when choosing your wedding suit according to Café Costume

• Tenue de ville at Café Costume: suits for after your wedding too
• Tailor-made wedding suits for women at Café Costume