Black Lapel
Key styles: Tuxes, suits (from $499) and blazers (from $379)
Black Lapel offers premium, custom-made suits and artisan-level tailors. Its impeccable quality makes it a great place to shop when the tiniest details of your outfit (or your groomsmen's) really matter.
Although your wedding or party will only last a few hours, the pictures taken will last a lifetime, which means there's no room for sloppy tailoring. If you're a groom looking to dress your groomsmen, the brand's wedding service allows you to pick and keep track of suits for everyone in the ceremony, and you'll save on parties of four or more people.
Indochino
Key styles: Custom suits starting at $329
Another dependable place to get custom suits made is Indochino. Founded in 2007, the menswear startup has effectively changed the way men shop for custom apparel. With plenty of customization options and in-depth videos on how to measure yourself at home, you won't have to visit a tailor to get a garment that fits perfectly — unless you would prefer to. You can also visit one of Indochino's many showrooms around the country to be fitted in person.
Indochino also allows you to register your wedding party, which simplifies the suit-buying process for grooms and groomsmen. You can design suits for yourself and everyone in your party, schedule fitting appointments, and track the status of each suit. You'll be able to make sure everyone has the same exact suit, without worrying if a specific brand makes everyone's size or not.
Bonobos
Key styles: Suits starting at $400
With the drive of a startup and the backing of a huge corporation like Walmart, Bonobos is easily one of the fastest growing menswear brands on the market right now. The premium menswear retailer made it on our list of best places to shop for business casual attire because of its huge selection of apparel, and it makes it on this list for the same reason.
Beyond the high quality we've come to expect from Bonobos' more casual clothing, the brand has a plethora of suiting options. You can go with the $400 Daily Grind Suit that's ready to wear out of the box, a $1,000 Italian wool tuxedo, or something in between.
Wolf & Shepherd
Key styles: Shoes from the Podium Collection, starting at $245
If you're attending a wedding or any other type of formal party, you can bet that you'll do a fair amount of standing — and maybe even some dancing — so you'll want some comfortable shoes. Wolf & Shepherd has made a name for itself by making dress shoes with sneaker-like comfort.
While its comfortable designs are great for commuting to work and wearing in other semi-formal environments, its latest collection is made specifically for black-tie events. The Podium Collection features three shoes — the Glider Sneaker, the Bannister Derby, and the Knight Slipper, each done in elegant patent leather.
Suitsupply
Key styles: The Black-Tie Package, $799
Founded in 2017, Suitsupply is an Amsterdam-based startup that has suits for every occasion. The brand offers fresh takes on how suits can be worn (because a shirt, tie, and dress shoes aren't the only way to wear them). But when it is time to go fully formal, Suitsupply still has you covered. While you can buy things individually if you want, its Black-Tie Package is the easiest way to get a tie-to-toe outfit. It includes your choice of a tuxedo, dress shirt, shoes, and a bow tie.
Brooks Brothers
Key styles: Tuxedos and luxurious accessories
Unlike the many startups on this list, Brooks Brothers is a time-tested brand. Originally founded in 1818, the company has been making formal menswear for more than 200 years — and it truly shows in its products. The retailer has a fine assortment of options suitable for the most formal of occasions, however, with suits going for as much as $2,100, Brooks Brothers is definitely one of the more luxurious and expensive options on the market.
Spier & Mackay
Key styles: Custom dress shirts starting at $79
Regular dress shirts might be able to get the job done for going to the office, but formal events usually deserve custom shirts — especially if it's your own wedding.
With Spier & Mackay, you can build your shirt from the ground up by choosing everything from the material to the collar, cuffs, pocket, and pleat styles. Special touches like personalized monograms and upgraded buttons will further separate your shirt from others like it.
Read more: I used Spier & Mackay to design the best-fitting made-to-measure garment in my closet
The Tie Bar
Key styles: Ties, pocket squares, tie clips
Shopping for accessories like ties and pocket squares can become a bigger task than the suit itself, but The Tie Bar makes it easy and affordable. The brand has a massive selection of neckties — and most of them are only $19. The best part is that you won't have to play the guessing game when shopping for other accessories like pocket squares and socks. The Tie Bar always recommends other accessories that match and look great together.
Read more: The Tie Bar sells the 7 ties every man should own for $19 each
Nice Laundry
Key styles: Monogrammed socks
Socks play a crucial role in a formal outfit, so you shouldn't make them an afterthought when getting dressed for formal events. While all of your cool and funky socks can spice up your casual outfits, you'll want to keep it classy here. Nice Laundry allows you to make personalized monogrammed socks, so you and anyone who sees your socks will know you put effort into them. And if you're getting married, they also make for a great groomsmen gift because you definitely don't want the guys (or anyone suit-wearers) in your party to show up in sweat socks.
