For years, bridal fashion dominated wedding conversations while groom style quietly stayed in the background wearing the same black tuxedo on repeat.
Not anymore.
The 2026 Met Gala made one thing crystal clear: menswear is having a serious identity shift, and modern grooms are paying attention. Under this year’s “Fashion Is Art” dress code for the “Costume Art” exhibition, celebrities approached tailoring less like formalwear and more like self-expression.
The result? A red carpet filled with groom inspiration that felt bold, cinematic, emotional, and honestly, way more fun.
Because today’s groom is no longer dressing to blend in beside the bride. He wants a look that reflects personality, taste, and cultural influence. And pop culture is shaping that shift in real time.
From K-pop fashion and streetwear to luxury tailoring and red carpet experimentation, men are becoming more confident about fashion choices that once felt “too much” for weddings.
At the Met Gala, those ideas fully came alive.
For years, the modern groom leaned heavily into clean minimalism. Neutral tuxedos. Safe tailoring. Tiny personal touches.
Then A$AP Rocky arrived at the Met Gala in a bubblegum pink Chanel robe by Matthieu Blazy and reminded everyone that menswear can still have personality.
The oversized robe floated dramatically as he walked, styled almost like couture outerwear instead of traditional tailoring. Underneath, flashes of layered diamond pendants added a sense of extravagance, while an apple-shaped clutch introduced humor into the look.
It was luxurious, theatrical, and completely intentional.
Modern grooms are beginning to embrace this same energy. Not necessarily by wearing pink robes down the aisle, but by moving away from the idea that wedding fashion for men has to feel restrained.
More grooms are experimenting with statement coats, embroidered tuxedos, unexpected colors, vintage jewelry, dramatic silhouettes, and layered accessories.
The influence of artists like A$AP Rocky matters because he approaches fashion emotionally rather than traditionally. And that mindset is slowly reshaping wedding menswear too.
Perhaps one of the biggest menswear shifts happening right now is the rise of softness and sensuality in tailoring.
Tyriq Withers leaned fully into that aesthetic wearing Louis Vuitton. His look centered around a sheer black top layered beneath a crystal-embellished trench coat, paired with sleek black trousers and a cummerbund.
The transparency of the top softened the structure of the outfit while still feeling elegant and masculine.
And honestly? This kind of styling is exactly where modern groom fashion is headed.
Menswear is becoming less rigid and more expressive. Sheer fabrics, open necklines, lightweight draping, and fluid tailoring are all becoming increasingly popular, especially for fashion-forward weddings and destination celebrations.
Grooms are realizing they do not have to dress like corporate executives to look formal.
They can look sensual too.
There was something incredibly refined about Joe Alwyn’s Valentino look.
Instead of relying on loud embellishment, his outfit focused on movement and construction. A hand-pleated crêpe de chine shirt flowed softly against sharply tailored black trousers, while a pleated satin belt added dimension without overwhelming the silhouette.
The entire outfit felt calm, intelligent, and deeply luxurious.
Pleating has become increasingly important in modern menswear because it introduces texture without needing excessive decoration. It creates movement in photographs and softness in tailoring, which makes formalwear feel less stiff.
For weddings, this translates beautifully.
Expect more pleated shirts, sculptural waist details, fluid trousers, and draped tailoring entering groom fashion over the next few years.
Traditional formalwear is being revived, but with attitude.
Paul Anthony Kelly wore a velvet Dior tailcoat styled with haute joaillerie accessories that gave the classic silhouette a rich, aristocratic energy.
Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson approached the trend differently in Thom Browne. His sharply structured tailoring modernized the traditional tailcoat through cleaner proportions and dramatic precision.
Tailcoats used to feel overly ceremonial. Now they feel editorial.
That shift matters because modern grooms are increasingly inspired by fashion storytelling rather than strict tradition. Historical tailoring suddenly feels fresh again when styled through a contemporary lens.
And after years of ultra-minimal tuxedos dominating weddings, dramatic formalwear is finally making a comeback.
One of the biggest surprises from the Met Gala carpet was how many men embraced leather tailoring.
Nicholas Hoult wore Prada leather with a sleek, sculpted finish that felt polished rather than rebellious. Meanwhile, Patrick Schwarzenegger leaned into a darker, cooler interpretation of formalwear wearing Public School with layered David Yurman jewelry.
Leather in groom fashion works because it instantly adds texture and edge to classic tailoring.
Not every groom will wear a full leather suit, obviously. But leather details are increasingly appearing through jackets, gloves, shoes, belts, trims, and evening looks for rehearsal dinners or after-parties.
It reflects a broader shift happening in menswear overall: formality no longer needs to feel traditional to feel elevated.
What happened at the 2026 Met Gala reflects something bigger than just red carpet fashion.
Modern grooms are no longer looking exclusively at wedding magazines for inspiration. They are pulling references from music videos, celebrity street style, runway collections, K-pop idols, luxury campaigns, and fashion week.
Pop culture has become the new mood board.
And because fashion conversations around masculinity are evolving, men are becoming more open to experimentation, softness, glamour, and individuality in wedding dressing.
Honestly, it is making weddings way more interesting.
The 2026 Met Gala proved that groom fashion is no longer playing a supporting role.
From pleated tailoring and sheer fabrics to dramatic outerwear and maximalist styling, menswear is entering a new era where personality matters just as much as polish.
And as pop culture continues influencing how men dress, weddings are becoming one of the most exciting places to watch that evolution happen.
Because the modern groom does not just want to look handsome anymore.
He wants a look people actually remember.
For more groom fashion inspiration, bridal trends, and the latest in wedding style culture, follow Wedded Wonderland. For structured planning and early alignment, Wedded Concierge begins with a dedicated strategy session prior to any recommendations.
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