Nstyle: A Guide

His Style: A Guide

Wedding Wardrobe Woes & Quandries

Hi! My name is Bentley Caldwell. I am a Nashville-based men’s personal stylist. Welcome to my side of the Nfocus style column. What can you expect? Fun and candid banter about all things men’s fashion. Alongside Carson Love, my stylish partner-in-crime, we will guide you through the ups and downs of various fashions. Let’s dive into our first topic, shall we?

Gents! Let’s talk wedding attire. Imagine a beautiful spring wedding. The weather is magnificent; the sun is shining; the birds are chirping. The string quartet is playing “Canon in D.” Love is in the air.

In walks Rick.* “Who is Rick?” you ask? Rick is the guest wearing an ill-fitting suit, scuffed shoes and a tie that screams ‘I’m here to party!’ Don’t be a Rick.

Upon being invited to a wedding, check the invitation for wedding attire. “Cocktail Attire?” Suit up. “Black Tie?” Wear a tux. “Cowboy Boho Chic?” Decline the invitation and get new friends.

A foolproof option for a cocktail-attire wedding is a navy suit. A navy suit is unbelievably versatile: it opens your wardrobe up to an array of shirt, tie and pocket square combinations. Unless it is a black-tie wedding, refrain from wearing a black suit — you are not the one getting married.

For accessories, keep it simple. If your suit is the main course, your accessories are the seasoning. Do not overdo it, or you will ruin it. A nice knit tie and a pocket square go a long way in completing a classic wedding look.

Lastly, shoes complete the outfit. You could wear a $3,000 suit, but if your shoes are in bad shape, the look is ruined. A classic brown laceup should do the trick with a navy suit. If you want to add a little flair, a loafer or monk-strap dress shoe is always a crowd pleaser.

And there it is! A surefire way to look your best this wedding season and not like a Rick. *To people named Rick reading this: It’s not personal. I promise.

BY BENTLEY CALDWELL Bentley Caldwell is a Nashville-based men’s personal stylist who helps guys up their style and confidence and take the guesswork out of dressing themselves. Have a fashion or styling question? Visit his website bentleycaldwellstyling.com or follow him on Instagram @bentleycaldwell

Her Style: A Guide

Wedding Wardrobe Woes & Quandries

You’ve made it. You’re here. Welcome to my women’s style column for Nfocus. I’m your personal stylist, Carson Love, and with my dapper partnerin-crime, Bentley Caldwell, we’ll serve you our best style advice each month so you can stay wellinformed and (of course) well-dressed.

I’ve helped many clients over the years navigate dress codes for weddings, and the myriad of events surrounding the big day. Some of these dress codes are very straightforward, and others are more … creative. Those often require taking more factors into consideration than just what’s listed on the invitation.

Let’s look at the checklist I go through when styling for these special events, so you can feel like the best-dressed guest this wedding season!

Where? The venue and city may seem like logistical details for an itinerary, but they also play a huge role in your outfit choices. I like to do a little research and look up pictures of the actual event space to help determine things like walking conditions, climate and overall vibe. Confidence starts at feeling comfortable, so selecting the right shoes, fabric, jacket or wrap is key.

When? The particular season and weather forecasts will factor into what’s appropriate to wear, but so will time of day: a daytime soirée versus an evening affair can call for different styles. I also want to note here the timeline for sourcing the components of your outfit. Do you need to order-in some options? Are there alterations to be done? (Hot tip: If you need to find something new to wear to a wedding or event, I’m a big fan of renting! Rent the Runway is great for this, and The Showroom Nashville is an incredible local resource!)

Who? Recognize the tastes of the couple you’re celebrating. Their cultural or religious background will set the stage for the ceremony, so be sure this is considered and respected.

What? No matter the event you’re dressing for, one of the most important questions you can ask yourself is: What makes you feel good? Your personal style and preferences should never be lost, even in honoring someone else. Would you feel better in separates rather than a dress? Would a pop-of-color clutch feel like a fun addition? The details of an outfit are opportunities to show up as your authentic self.

BY CARSON LOVE Carson Love is a wardrobe & personal stylist based in Nashville. Her main goal is to help clients present and feel like their best selves, so they are ready for whatever life brings them. Visit her website for more: carsonlove.com or her Instagram @carsonmlove