The Black Swan at Helmsley W
inner of the “Top Wedding Venue” in the North East and Yorkshire at
I Thee Thread
Yorkshire's silver-tongued tailor James Michelsberg cuts his cloth and delivers the lowdown to every groom about looking good on your big day.
Photograph: Jim Poyner A
nother bride, another groom, another sunny honeymoon, eh? As a happily married bespoke tailor I’ve
been roped in by your editor, to offer a few pearls of wisdom regarding dress at your forthcoming love-fest and to discuss current ‘trends.’ Last year, I implored husbands-to-be to
avoid the hire route like the plague. Let’s forget the fact that it probably won’t fit. Wearing something that has been sweated in by another man is fundamentally wrong. It’s the biggest day in a man’s life and he should be able to dress, look in the mirror and rightly say, “you are going to own this wedding. Bring it on.” Looking good is about building confidence, feeling good. Making you feel a few inches taller, perhaps providing a little swagger to a step that often treads cautiously. But no, many a poor chap will rock up to his wedding squeezed into a brown polyester rent-a- suit, choking under a bright pink cravat, or, resembling a midget funeral director, with no hands and bandy legs. In my opinion, a wedding is really all about
the bride. Whilst we were playing with our Scalextric and Commodore 64’s, she already had ‘the dress’ nailed and was probably planning the reception. If she’s set her heart on an Alice-in-Wonderland themed shindig, then go along with it. If, in her head, her
30 beyond
knight in shining armour is wearing a kilt, or, caftan, take a deep breath and go native. Just don’t hire. Ever. OK? As a tailor, I don’t really do ‘fashion,’ but
of course need to know what’s going on out there. I read GQ and Esquire magazine, wander round the shops and keep an eye on the likes of Paul Smith, Tom Ford and our Italian cousins.
I’m delighted to see that the age of the
dandy is well and truly upon us. Dapper is back with a bang and for bespoke tailors that’s a good thing. The bottom line, and most important thing, is that a bespoke suit is going to fit and flatter your figure, but in terms of style and character, the world is your oyster. I wore a morning suit for my wedding, and
if that’s your brand of vodka then my advice would be to keep the coat very classical. I’d also go for a tie and double-breasted waistcoat. It’s timeless, a thing of genuine beauty. Many customers of mine just want a
seriously sharp lounge suit, often with a waistcoat so they still feel smart when the jacket comes off. Choice of cloth is vital in creating the right vibe and Summer-kid mohair has a sexy sheen and is good to wear in hot and humid conditions. Some people want to wear the suit after the big day for important business meetings, so a more classical route is taken, perhaps using a mid grey, silky Super 120’s cloth.
I believe that the clothes we wear are an
expression of who we are, what we are about, and perhaps who we want to be. It’s my job to chill you out, get on your wavelength and work with you to find the sartorial god that lies within. Hands-up, I’m a bit of a flashy bugger
myself –I like velvet collars, peak lapels, flashes of silk behind my working cuffs and Jeffery West shoes. But that’s not for everyone. It’s about choosing the right cloth and cut for the chap taking the plunge. A wedding is one hell of a show and you have one of the lead roles. Whether that’s James Bond, Lord of The Manor, Hugh Grant, Pimp Daddy, Columbian Drug Baron, or, Russian gangster, that’s up to you. I’ll just help you find the right threads to pull it off. Good luck!
the Wedding Industry Awards 2012, and Confetti’s Top “Wow” Winter Wedding Venue, the Black Swan is a beautiful bolthole perfect for your dream wedding which combines antiques with classic, contemporary design. The Black Swan caters for weddings of all sizes, from intimate gatherings of up to 50 guests, to larger exclusive use weddings for up to 90 guests. All our packages can be individually tailored to meet your specific requirements, with extensive food and drink packages available for you to choose from. A Wedding Open Day will be taking
place at the hotel on Sunday 11th March 2012 providing prospective couples with a chance to come and view the facilities and paint a picture of their big day. The open day will take place from 12 noon – 4pm. Appointments aren’t necessary on the open day, however if you would like to arrange an appointment for another time, please do not hesitate to contact the hotel on 01439 770466.
A beautiful 15th century coaching inn, turned boutique hotel, located in one of North Yorkshire’s prettiest market towns.
The Black Swan Hotel
Do you dream of a romantic country wedding day? A picturesque, historic setting in the heart of a pretty market town, blended with understated elegance and timeless style? Whether you are looking for somewhere to tie the knot, or to celebrate your nuptials, there is always a sense of occasion at The Black Swan Hotel, Helmsley. The emphasis here is on quality, first class service, attention to detail and warm friendly Yorkshire hospitality.
Beyond the bustling atmosphere of Helmsley’s quaint marketplace, this historic coaching inn offers a choice of delightful reception rooms for your wedding day, each with their own distinct character, including our tranquil walled garden. Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a large exclusive-use house party celebration, you can be assured that we only host one wedding per day, so that you enjoy our undivided attention.
Michelsberg Tailoring, 24A Queen Victoria Street, Victoria Quarter, Leeds, LS1 6BE, Tel: 0870 385 0073 Web:
www.michelsberg.co.uk
For more information or to request a wedding pack call us on 01439 770466 or email
weddings@blackswan-helmsley.co.uk
The Black Swan Hotel Market Place, Helmsley, North Yorkshire YO62 5BJ
www.blackswan-helmsley.co.uk | t: 01439 770466 | e:
weddings@blackswan-helmsley.co.uk
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