Shaz Riley, owner of The Butch Clothing Company in the UK, offers formalwear tips for butch brides.

By Brittny Drye

There are few things that look as cool as a chick in cuff links, and your wedding day is the perfect excuse to make a formalwear investment.  However, since most of us don’t use suit jargon on a daily basis, it can be intimidating to suddenly be faced with terminology such as the scye, notch vs. shawl lapels, and cummerbunds.

Shaz Riley (pictured below), owner of The Butch Clothing Company, which consults and creates formalwear for butch women, shares her tips for brooms who are on the hunt for aisle attire:

  • Consider a color that works with your already stylish wardrobe and think how you would wear the suit post-wedding—the jacket with a pair of jeans when taking your new wife to dinner, the trousers to work with a nice crisp shirt, or the waistcoat with your shorts in the hot summer sun. Mix it up, enjoy it, use it!

  • Look at magazines and online to get style ideas of what you like. There are many options and you should consider these choices before contacting your tailor so you have a starting point for your consultation.

  • If at all possible, buy your suit opposed to renting it. A well-made suit will last you 15 years and should be tailored to fit even through weight fluctuation. The initial outlay is heavy but considering the future uses, it is indeed a worthy investment.

  • There is an art to wearing a bespoke garment. Be aware that all of the excess fabric in a store-bought suit is gone. It may feel a little restrictive at first but will soon form to your body.

  • Always consider a handmade shirt to match your suit, as it’s rare for a butch woman to find a shirt with a double cuff, fitting both her body shape and arm length. It’s a luxury but it’s an incredible feeling to have a shirt that fits like a glove and the excitement of cufflinks to match!

  • A tailor should lead your initial consultation for you, asking what colors you prefer and showing you styles of collars, jacket fronts, pockets, etc. Make sure the tailor has an extensive fabric and lining selection. Take your time; do not be rushed. A consultation could easily last 2-3 hours.

  • Be sure to wear a suit or jacket and trousers you already own to the consultation. These may not be a perfect fit but they work as a great guide for your made-to-measure suit!

*The Butch Clothing Company offers international consultations via Skype. Email Shaz Riley at shaz@thebutchclothingcompany.co.uk for more information.