Groom Fashion 101: From Sherwani to Tuxedo — What Works Best in 2026 - The groom’s outfit is no longer an afterthought; in 2026, it will be a statement of individual style and personality. With the continuing growth of the global wedding wear market (projected to increase from $68.46 billion in 2055 to $71.18 billion in 2056), more couples are investing in creating custom looks for themselves that reflect who they are and what type of wedding they’ll have.
The Indian wedding culture also continues to be a major influence on wedding-related fashion and accessories; with over 100 million weddings taking place in India every year, this market will provide opportunities for a growing number of people to explore both modern and traditional styles.
If you're the groom searching for your wedding outfit, look for some of these trends and how to put together your complete look.
Groom Fashion Trends for 2026
1. Pastel Power Sherwani
The colour palette of soft pastels such as dusky lavender, ice blue, sage mint and pearl grey is dominating sherwani colours for 2026. Pastels photograph beautifully in natural light, making them an ideal choice for daytime or outdoor weddings.
“Pastel shades are the new default for the groom who's into fashion; they balance modern luxury with elegance.”
Styling recommendation: Wear pastel sherwanis with embroidery that matches the colour of the sherwani, and use contrasting accessories to add depth and character.
2. Textured Minimalist Sherwanis
Gone is the era of heavily embellished clothing; now we’re seeing a new trend in sherwanis which focuses more on texture rather than heavy embellishment. Examples of raised threadwork, sculpted panels, geometric quilting, and tone-on-tone details are elegant, yet non-distracting.
These items represent a contemporary style while showcasing superior craftsmanship and are ideal for grooms who prefer understated design over over-the-top display.
3. Indo-Western Fusion Looks
Fusing Indian western elements is a great way to create ensembles that stand out — examples include achieving the achkan and tapered trouser look, wearing a dupatta draped on the bandh gala, and layering jackets over kurtas.
The looks above will transfer across various types of events, ranging from sangeet nights to post-wedding brunches and offer numerous options while delivering your own personal fashion style.
4. Rich Velvet and Jewel Tones
The use of velvet for winter weddings will never become obsolete. Vibrant deep jewel tones such as emerald, navy, and burgundy convey an elevated sense of luxury and also photograph beautifully when worn for evening events.
If you are attending a Thrive season wedding and love the royal impression, choose either a velvet sherwani or velvet accents for a royal and posh wedding experience while being incredibly comfortable.
5. Tuxedos with Character
Tuxedos may have been around forever; however, tuxedos are moving into the era of personalization and contemporary tailoring for both formal events and black-tie optional receptions.
Tuxedos are following the trend of the clothing industry, continuing to make a name for themselves but now incorporating the use of fabrics other than traditional black. Velvet tuxedos, double-breasted cuts, and bold colors such as burgundy or forest green are also trending.
A well-tailored tuxedo with detailing (pocket square, cufflinks, bespoke shoes) gives a unique, contemporary twist to traditional formal dress.
Groom Fashion In 2026 By The Numbers
A strongly developing global market for wedding attire and showering money into your own wedding:
- The bridal and groom's wear will continue to grow rapidly across the world because wedding spending is growing.
- The huge Indian wedding industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry and offers plenty of opportunities for growth through many luxury and custom clothing items that have been designed to meet the specific needs of Indian wedding styles and aesthetics.
- Massively increased search traffic across Pinterest for wedding suits & tuxedos that are bold and colourful. Grooms are finding ways to make their wedding more colourful and exciting by wearing outfits in the style of modern weddings with bold and colourful suits.
Best Tips for Finding the Right Outfit for the Groom
Sherwani vs Indo-Western vs Tuxedos
Sherwanis: Ideal for traditional wedding ceremonies and ritualistic events, including grand baarats.
Indo-Western: Best suited for grooms who will have many ceremonial stages during their wedding (sangeet, mehendi, cocktail).
Tuxedos: Suitable for hosted receptions, modern style weddings and/or stylistically themed or formal evening events.
Fit Matters Most
The biggest change within groom fashion for 2026 is the introduction of custom tailoring to all types of outfits tailored to each individual groom's unique body and state of dress, rather than ready-made tailored clothing purchased off the rack. Grooms must now utilize custom tailoring to achieve the best possible fit in their outfits.
Major Accessory Options for 2026
Today, men's groom accessories play an important role in defining the complete look of a groom. If you're going to wear a suit or tuxedo to your wedding, wear all the accessories to create the complete look!
Essential Accessories for Groom
Statement Safas & Stoles - Textured or contrasting colours. Safas provide character to traditional wedding looks.
Shoes - Embroidered Mojaris, Velvet Loafers, and Patent Leather Shoes are trending well this season.
Layered Jewellery - Pearl Malas, Minimal Brooches, and Heritage Buttons help add style to traditional Indian wedding style Sherwani's.
Pocket Squares & Lapel Pins: An essential part of Indo-Western and tuxedo styles of men's groom fashion.
The primary guideline for 2026 is to create an impactful look with fewer elements.
Styling Mistakes To Avoid When Styling A Groom
Even when an outfit is expensive, if a groom styles it badly, it will still look bad! Here are the most common mistakes made in the styling of grooms:
- Selecting trending styles instead of styles that reflect their body type
- Overusing accessories with traditional outfits.
- Selecting uncomfortable shoes.
- Having garments tailored at the last moment.
In 2026, the importance of fit and comfort will be equal to that of design.
Conclusion
The fashion of 2026 will largely focus on wearing deliberate, well-fitted clothing that has a story to tell, whether the outfit is a traditional sherwani, a modern Indo, Western, or a chic tuxedo. On your wedding day, you will be keen to don the kind of clothes that genuinely depict your character, at the same time, are in harmony with the overall spirit and customs of your celebration.
If you want to plan your wedding stress-free, then you can hire a wedding planner in Chandigarh.
FAQs
Is it better to wear a Sherwani or a Tuxedo for a 2026 wedding ceremony?
It depends on the type of ceremony you are hosting. A Sherwani is ideal for traditional ceremonies, whereas a Tuxedo is suitable for receptions and evening parties.
Are pastel Sherwanis still trending as of 2026?
Yes, pastels are still near the top of the trending list, especially for daytime and destination weddings.
Can a groom wear a modern Indo-Western outfit for the main wedding ceremony?
Yes, absolutely! Minimalist achekans or bandhgalas, adorned with ceremonial embellishments, are also great choices.
Is velvet too heavy to wear to weddings?
No! Velvet is great for winter and evening weddings if styled with breathable linings.
When should a Groom select his wedding attire?
It is perfect for a groom to choose his wedding outfit 4 to 6 months in advance, because it allows him to customise, make alterations, and add accessories.
