Step 1: Miniature Black Suits for Miniature Groomsmen
Suit shopping for little boys during the holiday season is a hellish nightmare. This is not an exaggeration. The stores are a mess, the selection is slim and boring, and finding anything other the polyester poo is nearly impossible. No need to weigh in with suggestions here, we went everywhere.
So I resorted to the old standby, Burlington Coat Factory. While it isn’t a glamorous shopping experience, they usually have all the staples you need for any wedding, funeral, church occasion, or school concert. We managed to find two little black suits that fit adequately, didn’t cost a fortune, and will stay looking good for five hours in a dimly lit environment {and yes, they’re polyester}.
they really are more than just coats
Step 2: Shoes That Don’t Suck
Iron Maiden slip-on Vans. ‘Nuff said.
Step 3: White Shirts to Spill Sauce On
Luckily, Macy’s is very good at keeping in stock very nice shirts and ties in neat little packages that sell for $20. This is a very good and convenient thing. The quality is high, and they are easily washed and dried at home without a need for an iron. Luckily for me, George Bush ruined our economy and the sales are great! I bought Calvin the shirt-and-tie-in-the-package deal, and I found an adorable corduroy jacket/white shirt/snazzy jeans combo by Kenneth Cole for $27 {marked down from $68}. My little fashionista, Jack, was thrilled, and I got a white shirt for his suit out of the deal.
Step 4: If I See One More Lame-Ass Tie, I May Hang Myself With It
Little boys’ ties suck. They’re boring and ugly and striped and boring and ugly… and also made with yucky materials. Calvin prefers serious, boring, ugly ties, so that’s not a huge problem regularly. He has a very punk-rock meets Hamptons aesthetic that I can’t say looks bad on him. In the process of looking for ties, Jack found an olive green silk zipper tie with little skull and crossbones on it {which rocks, btw}. Good for Jack, bad for wedding. When I tell you I looked in every chain store, men’s store, internet store, and dollar store for a decent little tie, I am not lying. However, much to my embarrassment, I overlooked the very indie resource that has saved my pathetic wedding-planning ass over a dozen times before…
I have seen and “favorite-ed” other awesome tie-makers {for Justin} before, but I didn’t even think of looking for ties for the boys there. Then I found Tonia and her wonderful collection of the most amazing ties for little boys… here are Jack and Calvin’s new ties {plus three other examples of her super fun work}. Click on the images to visit Tonia’s Etsy store:
Neckties by Me and Matilda
I think they’re going to look amazing… the most handsome little maniacs ever!!
Calvin and Jack pretending to be sweet
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