Archive for the ‘Groom Style’ Category
Nov 05
Handmade Bow Ties
Handmade bow ties & pocket squares for every gentleman. See more at the April Look shop.
Plaid bow tie
Dotted linen bow tie
Pocket square
Linen polka dot pocket square
In love with the latest men’s collection from Dolce & Gabbana.
The designers doff their caps to newsboys & Victorian doctors, as well as one familiar character…
Barnabas Collins (Dark Shadows)
See the full Dolce & Gabbana Fall Winter collection here.
Michael Pitt evokes a 1950s Hollywood icon in Prada’s Spring-Summer 2012 ad campaign photographed by David Sims.
Apr 06
True Vintage Weddings
Mar 31
Romance and the Mythic West
Even though Coppia del West isn’t quite finished yet, I’m just too excited about this new invitation design. Like Playa D’oro, Coppia del West celebrates the Mythic West: a time and place that never really existed (which makes it perfect material for Royal Steamline creations!).
Like most RS designs, Coppia draws inspiration from a variety of sources. However, one source in particular fascinates me: Puccini’s La fanciulla del West. It’s an Italian interpretation of the American idealized “West” — fifty years before the advent of the Spaghetti Western! Life, love and death are exaggerated as only opera can. And from the title alone, it’s inferred that the concept of a mythological “West” existed over 100 years ago. Amazing!
So as the strains of Spindrift‘s “The New West” mix with Puccini’s arias here in the RS Studio, we will soon post a finished version of Coppia del West.
Oh, one more thing. I tagged this post as Groom Style because I wanted to share another movie with grooms-to-be that inspires our invitations: Death Rides a Horse. If you are at all a fan of the genre, have a look at this great film. Directed by Giulio Petroni (and not Leone), it’s dropped off the radar of many fans. But I would encourage you to give it a chance. Interestingly, there are no female characters in the whole movie. As such, it’s more of study of men, the father/son relationship, and the patience and wisdom that comes with age. And somewhere in there is a message or two for men starting a new chapter in their lives as married men.
And Lee Van Cleef is twice the man at 43 than you or I were at 23.
In Death Rides a Horse, he shows us that proper grooming should never be neglected, even in the West.
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UPDATE: Here is the finished invitation!
See the entire Coppia del West invitation suite here!
Jan 13
The Gentleman’s Umbrella
First off, allow me to apologize: it’s been ages since I’ve posted about Groom Style.
Well, I end that streak now. Allow me to offer a follow-up (second in an on-going series?) to my notes on Le Samouraï from so long ago.
I’ve been watching (or re-watching) a host of 1960s- and 70s-era thrillers lately and wanted to highlight the style of Edward Fox’s eponymous Jackal in The Day of the Jackal:
Just because he's a cold-blooded killer doesn't mean you can't appreciate his style.
I’ll spare you a review of the film that, while protracted unnecessarily in some stretches, is certainly not without merit (unlike, for instance, The Driver, but I lay that at the feet of Ryan O’Neal.) However, let’s look at the Jackal’s style.
For much of the movie, the mysterious Englishman wears little more than a light-brown or camel-colored suit with a crisp white Oxford. This made me think of photos of so many grooms that I’ve seen in recent years (many of which seem to be standing on a beach). Yes, such suits are a change of pace from more traditional tuxedos. But they’ve become somewhat quotidian themselves. What’s interesting is the secret weapon employed by the Jackal to combat his sartorial de-emphasis: a seemingly endless parade of cravats that lend a crisp spark of color.
Jackal on the run.
It’s worth watching DOTJ just for the neckwear alone (not to mention Olga Georges-Picot’s tragic beauty). So take note men: yes, having a well-coiffed head of sandy locks is good. An immaculately tailored neutral suit is better. But to really make your mark on your big day (whether or not your toes are in the sand), splash on some color. And a silk cravat could be just the thing for you.
Oct 28
Tatted Lapels
Oh, TotusMel, how I love your tatted ways. You may remember the intricate work of TotusMel from the tatted ankle corsets and collars we featured last year. Needless to say, I was happy to discover her lapel pins (and matching wrist cuffs for women) – a welcome alternative to a traditional flower boutonniere. What lovely (and re-wearable!) keepsakes for a bridal party.
My Immortal Boutonniere by TotusMel
My Immortal Boutonniere by TotusMel
Four costume changes, pastel macaroons and Steampunky-boutonnieres! If you haven’t been there already, head to Rock n’ Roll Bride now to view this spectacular Seattle wedding.
Photo: Barbie Hull Photography
Photo: Barbie Hull Photography
Photo: Barbie Hull Photography
Jul 08
“Two Ring” Goes to Texas
We’ve been meaning to post about this for a while, but you know how other things always seem to crop up. Well, no more excuses!
Earlier this year, Royal Steamline was invited to participate in a wedding concept photoshoot co-coordinated by Jessica Monnich (of Jessica Monnich Photography), Erin Coleman (of Peppermint Pretty), and Beth Bennett (of Stylish Happenings). The shoot, held at the Three Points Ranch outside of Austin, Texas, had a vintage carnival theme, so we thought that our Two Ring Circus design would be a perfect match:
Two Ring Circus invitations (as well Steamside on center right) -- photo montage by Jessica Monnich
And here’s a fun shot of the matching Table Cards:
Two Ring Circus table card at the Austin shoot -- photo by Jessica Monnich
There are tons of great images from the huge shoot, which included amazing fashions, cute couples and…fire eaters!
Flames of Love -- photo montage by Jessica Monnich
Please check out the full spread at Jessica’s blog or see the awesome compilation over at Utterly Engaged (our invitation is on the cover!).
Finally, thanks to Jessica, Erin, Beth and everyone else who made this a fantastic project. We were so happy to be a part of it!
Cyberoptix Tie Lab, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
1. Exhaust Bow Tie
2. Let Them Eat Cake Necktie
3. Argyle Skeleton Key Necktie
4. Clipper Ship Necktie
5. Wooden Gift Box
…and many more.
xo,
Royal Steamline
Feb 12
Fab Gabs Vintage
I’m excited to share another local, vintage clothing Etsy shop that offers fun, gorgeous pieces from decades past. Fab Gabs Vintage offers a mix of casual and fancy dresses, suits and accessories. There’s even a special section for boudoir vintage lingerie! Whether you’re going for a Mad Men style, rockabilly or an “old Hollywood” wedding, there’s plenty of guys and dames fashions to be found here. The ’50s-era polka dot dress below would look amazing with one of these crinoline petticoats we featured last summer.
Wartime Bouquet
The Ultimate Lucy Dress
Paul Drake 1960s Sportcoat
… and there’s still a week left to enter Teh Fab Gabs Vintage Giveaway. Head over to the blog for details.
Feb 10
Prance and Swagger Vintage
Lately, I’ve lacked the time and patience to shop in actual stores. While this may be great for my wallet, it also means I’m missing out on some fabulous finds at the awesome vintage stores here in Portland. Luckily, Twitter has led me to a few local vintage shops that sell their wares online. This means all of you who don’t live in the NW can take advantage of some of our fine shops.
We’ll be featuring a couple of them this week, so if you’re planning an art deco, 1920s/1930s, Victorian or other period-inspired wedding, be sure to check back.
The first of our new vintage clothing discoveries is Prance and Swagger, a relatively new Etsy shop based in Portland, Oregon. Prance and Swagger specializes in classic his and hers vintage clothing, offering everything from pill box hats to 1950s prom dresses to Victorian caplets and Oxford ankle boots.
I may have found them too late to grab this goregous Victorian scarf, but their shop is full of unique and interesting finds that just might make up for it.
… A
Victorian Ruffle Scarf
Vintage 1930s deco modern hat
Vintage peaked lapels double breasted 1940s suit jacket
Feb 01
Portland Tweed Ride…Finally
Ever since October, I’ve been following the Tweed Ride phenomena. I mean, what’s not to like about a combination of Victorian gear and cycling that emphasizes fun and camaraderie? I’d noted that my former home of San Francisco had been a major force in American Tweed Rides. This, however, left me all the more disappointed that my current home — and de facto cycling utopia — of Portland was noticeably ignoring a phenomena that seemed like a perfect fit.
Well, we finally got our collective act together and produced a smashing Tweed Ride not two days ago.
Photo by william200549 on Flickr
There are many fine photos of the event on Flickr here and here. Oh, and some fine video footage, too (note the pipe-packing at 1:25):
Now, why are we at Royal Steamline posting about cycling? Because we were quite impressed with some of the riders’ ensembles, particularly the gents. Upcoming grooms leaning toward a vintage wedding would be well served to peruse these images and take note of any styles they find particularly fitting.
Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out the perfect connection between Tweed Rides and our Rovers and Country Ride invitation designs.
Looking forward to the next ride!
Jan 19
Steampunk Wedding Alert!
If you haven’t been already, head over to Offbeat Bride to get all the brass, glass and goggle details.
Let’s Be Friends!
The Pinatorium
Invitation Showcase
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Two Ring Circus $179 -
Steamside $179 -
Create Your Own Vintage Postcard Invitation $159 -
Finsbury Park $159 -
Port of Call $139
