For their happily ever after at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs, Brandon and David landed on the poppy pink and green wardrobe “by accident.”
“We started scouring one of our favorite websites — Ssense.com — to see what was out there and discovered some fun options by a designer named Lu’u Dan,” Brandon says. “He offered our particular style in pink, green, and black, but we obviously had to choose the bolder option.”
A great wedding suit walks a line: formal but not stiff, timeless but not dull, personal without upstaging your partner. It’s one of the rare times clothes tell a story beyond style, often becoming one of the most meaningful looks a groom will ever wear.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JES WORKMAN, COURTESY THREAD EVENTS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JES WORKMAN, COURTESY THREAD EVENTS
In Greater Palm Springs, custom clothier Art Lewin has helped more than 23,000 clients suit up through his Southern California brand, Art Lewin Bespoke. His downtown Palm Springs studio offers made-to-measure suiting and plenty of advice for first-time shoppers.
“We specialize in bespoke suits and shirts, meaning that we make everything from scratch for every individual,” Lewin says. Each suit takes about 50 hours to complete.
For a foundational piece, Lewin recommends navy or charcoal. “A classic navy [works] in any season, especially if it’s worsted wool,” he notes. “Today’s wool almost feels like silk.”
While traditional black tuxedos have their place, desert weddings have opened the door to lighter looks. “Pastels, earth tones — I’ve been doing so many greens, burgundies, tannish colors, rust-colored suits,” Lewin says.
Matias opted for classic navy with a pop of pattern lining his jacket.
Photo by matthew david studio
One tip: Avoid dry cleaning. Pressing is fine, he explains, but harsh chemicals can shorten a suit’s lifespan.
For off-the-rack options, Men’s Wearhouse in Palm Desert offers suits between $350 and $600. Sales manager Sam Bseiso also recommends navy and charcoal for versatility. “Get something solid-colored that you can interact with,” he says, nodding to the likelihood you’ll wear it again.
When it comes to weddings, Bseiso encourages grooms to stand apart from their wedding party — whether through color, pattern, or a personal touch. Embroidered initials or a message stitched inside the jacket make a great surprise.
For their ceremony, Brandon paired his seafoam suit with ivory leather sandals by Recto. David’s blush look paired with black patent leather Mary Jane loafers by Ernest Baker. Before the reception, they both changed into vintage-inspired Reebok sneakers and added fun accessories: “David added leather gloves, and I added an ivory cowboy hat,” Brandon says.
Want to embrace the vibrancy of Greater Palm Springs but not sure where to start? “Go to a shop with great lighting and try things on,” Brandon advises. “Bring a friend or family member and task them with telling you which colors are flattering. You could even use Photoshop to see which colors suit your skin tone. The desert is this beautiful, neutral backdrop — and it can handle some color.”
