A decade of evolution has transformed groom’s attire into a canvas for personal expression.
You were among the very first to back Together Journal. What did you see that made you say, ‘I’m in’?
I had a strong gut feeling from day one that Together Journal was something special. I saw an opportunity to support a publication that valued style, design, and storytelling in weddings in a way no one else was doing. I immediately committed to a full year of support before the first issue even went to print because I believed in the concept that much.
The magazine promised a fresh, inclusive take on the wedding industry, one where menswear would stand alongside bridal fashion, and where real couples’ style would be celebrated with the same editorial polish as a high-end fashion magazine. As a tailor and designer, that really resonated with me. I’ve always felt that grooms deserve a platform and inspiration for their attire, and Together Journal was poised to provide exactly that.
Backing the magazine early wasn’t a difficult decision. I recognised that its aesthetic and values were aligned with my own: a focus on quality, authenticity, and a modern outlook on tradition. In hindsight, saying “I’m in” so early was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s been rewarding to watch the magazine flourish and to be deeply woven into its story from the very beginning.
From your perspective as one of the most respected names in menswear, what have been the most notable shifts in the global wedding style landscape since our first issue?
The evolution in wedding style over the past decade has been remarkable. Globally, we’ve moved away from a one-size-fits-all approach to groom’s attire and embraced a more individualistic, fashion-forward mindset.
One notable shift is the demise of rigid dress codes and the rise of personal expression. There are far fewer “rules” now around what a groom should or shouldn’t wear. A decade ago, most grooms played it safe with a simple navy or black suit, but today you’ll see everything from tailored velvet dinner jackets to linen suits at a beach elopement. This loosening of old conventions has made room for creativity: men feel freer to choose attire that reflects the wedding setting and their personality, whether that means a colourful ensemble or a classic tuxedo.
Another major change is the global cross-pollination of trends. Thanks to social media and publications like Together Journal, grooms in New Zealand might be inspired by Italian sartorial elegance, while those in Europe take notes from the relaxed Antipodean style.
Many couples now opt for attire influenced by their venue or destination — a light linen suit for a Tuscan summer wedding, or a sharp tuxedo for a chic New York ceremony — rather than adhering to a generic uniform.
There’s also a renewed appreciation for quality and fit: grooms are investing in made-to-measure suits and fine fabrics instead of renting something uninspired. They understand that a wedding suit can be both a personal statement and an heirloom piece. Even the pandemic played a role, introducing micro-weddings and elopements that shifted attire toward more streamlined choices. Now, interestingly, the pendulum has swung back: after so much casual dress, many men are seizing the chance to go more formal again.
Grooms today seem braver, bolder, and more individual than ever before. What has been driving this evolution, and how far have we come?
It’s true — the modern groom is fearless compared to a decade ago. The key drivers are cultural shift and visibility. Men today have far more inspiration at their fingertips, and that has emboldened them. Seeing other grooms showcase unique looks has a ripple effect. We’ve come a long way from the “blue suit, brown shoes” cliché, which was practically a uniform ten years ago.
Now, grooms see the wedding as their red-carpet moment. They don’t want to fade into the background. Many describe it as one of the few opportunities in life to wear something truly exceptional. In a world where day-to-day wardrobes have become increasingly casual, there’s a pent-up desire to go all out for special occasions.
Social dynamics play a role too: couples are now planning their looks together, making sure they stand as equals in style. The result is a generation of grooms who are braver and bolder than ever, experimenting with colour, cut and detail in ways that would have felt radical a decade ago.
LEFT Miro & MacKenzie. Image by Ash Muir, @ashkmuir RIGHT Dane and Scotty. Image by Misi Chan, @filmandflatwhites
The Crane Brothers aesthetic has always been a masterclass in timeless tailoring with a contemporary edge, executed with a level of craftsmanship that resonates anywhere in the world. How have you seen grooms around the world embrace that blend of tradition and modernity?
What’s gratifying is seeing how universal our philosophy has become. In New Zealand, grooms often balance refinement with ease — a classic suit in a lightweight wool, worn open-necked at a vineyard, feels both sharp and relaxed. In Italy, tradition runs deeper, but our grooms want a modern cut: a tuxedo in Italian silk, tailored in Auckland, combines Old World elegance with a contemporary feel. In New York, fashion-forward grooms will still anchor their look in timeless tailoring: a double-breasted suit, cut slimmer, styled with subtle modern details.
Across all these contexts, the unifying theme is a respect for tradition paired with an appetite for something fresh. A groom can wear a Crane Brothers suit anywhere in the world and feel that equilibrium of classic and contemporary. It shows that good tailoring, done right, transcends borders.
What role has Together Journal played in influencing how men approach wedding-day style and in elevating the conversation around menswear in the wedding industry?
Together Journal has been a game-changer for menswear. Wedding media was traditionally very bride-centric, with menswear an afterthought. Together Journal challenged that. From the beginning, it placed grooms on the same stage, celebrating their choices, publishing editorials on tailoring, and telling their stories. That gave men confidence to care about their attire and encouraged them to see it as part of the overall narrative of the day.
Clients now reference looks they’ve seen in Together Journal. The magazine has inspired grooms to invest more time and thought, and in turn, has pushed the industry to raise standards. It made menswear aspirational and, by doing so, elevated the whole conversation.
What do you predict will be the next big moment for wedding menswear?
Colour and texture will continue to grow: tobacco, olive, sand, velvet in jewel tones, silk-linen blends for summer. Tuxedos will remain strong, but with modern twists — double-breasted cuts, ivory smoking jackets, wider lapels. Personalisation will also become more important: monograms, custom linings, meaningful fabrics. And sustainability is shaping the choices couples make, with grooms increasingly asking not just how a suit looks, but how it was made.
ABOVE Tom and Francesca. Image by Stephan & Nakita, @stephanandnakita
You have dressed many grooms whose weddings have been featured in Together Journal. Are there any favourites that stand out, and what made those looks so memorable?
Several come to mind. An ivory dinner jacket worn in a château in France — bold yet timeless. A velvet tuxedo in Queenstown, dramatic against the snowy landscape. A double-breasted suit at a vineyard, unexpected yet perfectly in place.
What made them memorable was individuality. Each groom trusted the formality of the occasion but made it their own, and Together Journal celebrated that.
What is your best advice for grooms who are about to begin their wedding attire journey, to ensure they look and feel their best on the day?
Start early, focus on fit, and dress with the context of your wedding in mind. A well-made suit that fits perfectly will always look sharp and feel comfortable.
Smaller weddings especially benefit from detail: the closer the gathering, the more your attire will be noticed. Above all, be authentic: look like yourself, only the very best version.
How do you see the Crane Brothers brand and business evolving in the wedding space over the next decade?
We will continue to uphold our values of craftsmanship and timeless style, while innovating in how we serve clients. That means more focus on formalwear — tuxedos, dinner jackets, ceremonial pieces — and also on services that extend beyond the wedding day, from post-wedding suit care to more experiential fittings. Collaborations, sustainable fabrics, and versatile pieces that can be worn again will also play a role. The constant will be ensuring every groom feels confident, timeless, and entirely himself.
LEFT Tom and Francesca. Image by Stephan & Nakita, @stephanandnakita RIGHT Miro & MacKenzie. Image by Ash Muir, @ashkmuir
For more information, visit crane-brothers.com and @cranebrothers.
