We haven’t forgotten about the men that are so very important on your wedding day! This week we spoke with the owner of Savvi Formalwear, about the latest menswear trends for weddings. Savvi offers the perfect look for the men’s big day, weather the style is black tie elegance or relaxed rustic trends, Savvi and their expert staff with work with you and your wedding party to create the perfect look!
Q: What does Savvi specialize in?
A: Savvi Formalwear specializes in helping wedding couples make informed decisions about what the perfect tuxedo or suit style and accessories are for their wedding day. Every wedding is a puzzle with many pieces, and we want your formalwear to fit in seamlessly with the rest of your event.
Q: How and when was Savvi created?
A: We opened our first store at Southdale Shopping Center in 1972, as part of the Gingiss Formalwear franchise system. In 2004, we changed our name and joined with a band of the nation’s leading independent formalwear specialist to form Savvi Formalwear.
Q: Where are you located?
A: In the Twin Cities, Savvi currently has 10 locations for the convenience of our customers: Southdale Center, Rosedale Center, Ridgedale Center, Maplewood Mall, Burnsville Center, the Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Woodbury Village, Eagan Promenade, Northtown Center, and at Angelique’s Bridal in Blaine. With our extended network, Savvi has hundreds of locations across North America forming a comprehensive fitting network for your wedding party.
Q: What is your favorite part about working in the wedding industry?
A: Weddings are happy times. It is a pleasure to work with couples in the process of planning one of the biggest days in their life. We love getting to play a part in coordinating the perfect look and working with other Twin City professionals to make a couple’s dreams come true.
Q: Do you have any fun or memorable stories working with grooms or groomsmen?
A: Our Woodbury location was recently contacted by a groom in a panic. It seems that he had made arrangements for his wedding party to be outfitted by a business in a nearby town, only to discover that the business abruptly closed the week of his wedding. He contacted our store manager who worked quickly to coordinate the perfect look for their wedding party; we measured the members of the wedding party and delivered the tuxedos without incident two days prior to the wedding. Crisis averted!
In another instance, our Burnsville location received an inquiry for a specific “look” that a groom had in mind for his wedding party. Our manager encouraged him to stop in for a complimentary “Groom’s Preview,” to see the specific style on himself. He liked the tuxedo selection, but was determined to locate a unique bow tie. After an exhausting search, he ultimately decided on our manager’s initial suggestion as the perfect look. After this entire process, the groom was convinced he was on a first name basis with our entire Burnsville staff. And our manager and her husband were invited to the wedding!
Q: When should grooms and groomsmen commit to their wedding day fashion?
A: It is never too early to start the planning process. Once the bride has selected her gown and those of her bridesmaids, we can add to the process of building your wedding day story. The first steps commonly involve a consultation with the wedding couple to define the formalwear needs for the people in the party. Once the wedding is registered, we encourage the attendants to be fitted within the next thirty days. Our system minimizes this responsibility by allowing an automated email reminder to those who have yet to be fitted.
Q: What do you think the groom should wear to the rehearsal dinner?
A: The theme that the couple has selected for their wedding will set the stage for the entire event. If the event is more formal then a contemporary, slim-fit suit on the night of the rehearsal is wonderfully appropriate. On the other hand, if the tone for the day is more laid back and casual, the groom may feel more comfortable in dress jeans and an open-collar shirt.
Q: What designers/brands do you carry?
A: We are proud to offer the largest selection of Michael Kors Formalwear in the Midwest. In addition, we also offer a fantastic selection of formalwear from Allure Men, Ike Behar and our own Savvi Black Label Collection. Each of these collections offers contemporary styling in either slim or modern fit.
At Savvi, our most popular garments are in the Michael Kors Collection, featuring tremendous option in Midnight Blue, Charcoal Grey, Chrome and Classic Black. All of our Michael Kors models are available in both slim fit and modern fit, offering the perfect silhouette for every member of your wedding party.
Q: What are some options the groom and groomsmen have when shopping at Savvi?
A: Today’s wedding parties are considering a wide range of styling for the guys in their wedding party. Everything from “Modern Classic Elegance,” translated as a black tie tuxedo with a bow tie to “Rustic,” featuring a tweed vest and less formal attire. Savvi offers a complete selection of both tuxedos and dress suits in today’s slim and modern fit styling, with options for both rental and purchase. Our staff regularly meets with wedding couples to determine the best alternatives for their wedding party. And, yes, we even offer tweed vests!
Q: How do you determine what accessories such as ties and pocket squares work well with a specific suit/tux?
A: Today’s accessories introduce a wide-array of styles and patterns. The three-piece look (meaning the vest matches the coat and trousers) in tuxedos and suits is definitely in fashion. Today we frequently coordinate the neckwear and pocket square with the dresses and other colors for the wedding. To reflect their personal taste, wedding couples can select from solids, stripes, plaids, even polka dots, when settling on a look for the guys.
Q: Anything else you would like grooms to know about Savvi?
A: At Savvi, we place a great deal of importance on the final fitting. We encourage each member of your wedding party to pick-up their own ensemble. At that time, we have each attendant try on their entire outfit and our staff is trained to make certain that everyone has the proper fitting garment. This final fitting ensures that each person in your wedding party look their absolute best on your wedding day!
Savvi Lightning round Questions:
Q: Describe Savvi in three words.
A: Accommodating, fashionable and classic
Q: IPA or EPA?
A: Summit Extra Pale Ale gets our vote!
Q: Suit or Tux?
A: We watch fashion trends move in cycles. Over the last several years there has been an increased interest in dress suits for wedding attire. As a result, Savvi offers a complete complement of suits for both rental and purchase. However, according to the pundits, the expected trend for 2017 is “Classic Elegance.” This trend is evidenced in some of the wedding gown designs for the coming year. As a result, we are expecting increased interest in men’s formalwear options with limited amounts of satin trim; often in alternative shades like Midnight Blue, Charcoal Gray, or Chrome.
Q: Black, gray or navy?
A: Shades of gray continues to dominate as the most popular color for today’s wedding parties. Savvi offers a wide variety of shades from light heather gray to the deepest of charcoal. These neutral shades are sure to compliment most every wedding party. The more avant-garde are sure to gravitate to midnight blue. This rich contrast highlights a beautiful champagne wedding gown and pastel shades of bridesmaids gowns.
Q: Tie or Bow Tie?
A: Personal preference dictates, but the resurgence of the bow tie is all the rage today in fashion. Whether with tuxedos or suits, the bow makes a statement about the wearer’s personality. Patterns and colors abound to help reflect the color theme for your wedding party.
Q: What’s your go-to comfort food?
A: A trip to Chipotle never disappoints!
Q: If Savvi could dress a celebrity client for their wedding, who would it be?
A: Zac Efron
