Revolutionizing Wedding Attire: Breaking Gender Norms in Tailoring

Breaking free from traditional gender norms with wedding attire

When Lucy Spraggan, former X Factor star and talented singer, started planning her wedding, she encountered a rarely discussed challenge: finding a UK tailor that specializes in suits designed just right—for women. After hitting dead end after dead end, Lucy set out on a quest. Her mission? To find an outfit that truly reflected her personal style and identity.

Her journey eventually brought her face-to-face with King & Allen, a bespoke tailoring company celebrated not just in Birmingham, Surrey, London, and Knutsford, Cheshire, but well beyond. They've spent over 20 years crafting suits that embrace all body types and backgrounds, with a keen focus on diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Lucy Spraggan's quest: The perfect wedding suit

Lucy's story with King & Allen started back in 2016 at their Knutsford branch. When she got engaged in 2024, designing her dream suit with store manager Karl was high on her list. The outcome? A stunning white three-piece suit, complete with wide-leg trousers and a cropped jacket, exquisiteness tailored just right. When she walked down that aisle one sunny June morning in 2024, Simon Cowell by her side, Lucy felt every bit as confident and authentic as she'd hoped.

"It felt amazing," Lucy shared with The Wedding Edition. "The suit reflected my identity as a non-binary individual. It was fluid and comfortable in a manner that a traditional wedding dress just couldn't match."

King & Allen: Pioneers in inclusive tailoring

King & Allen's commitment draws a diverse clientele, including many from LGBTQ+ and gender-non-conforming communities. Co-founder Jake Allen has called out traditional tailoring, labeling it outdated and inflexible, often failing today's diverse clients.

Plenty head over there after hearing "no" from typical tailors who stick stubbornly with a "house cut" that doesn't work with unique or non-binary designs. This tunnel-vision often leaves people who want something different on their special day feeling excluded.

"The old-school image left a huge void," Allen explained. "Here, we tune in and craft suits that fit each client individually, be it a softer line, a more fitted style, or something uniquely them."

Fashion as a medium: Empowering true self-expression

King & Allen's progressive perspective gives hope when societal norms demand traditional "fairy tale princess" weddings, which can feel isolating if those standards don't fit you.

"Many clients think they must wear a wedding dress," Allen stated. "But upon discovering tailored suits, they feel empowered, ready and able, truly themselves on this special day."

Their designs echo with many, too—one in five suits from 2022's female same-sex weddings came from King & Allen. They're forever innovating, introducing silhouettes that better fit trans and non-binary folks.

Ongoing learning and commitment: Inclusivity matters

Leading in inclusive tailoring isn't by chance. It takes King & Allen's dedication: staying well-informed on intersectionality and discrimination issues. The team frequently dives deep, learning, reading, and bringing insights back, all applied in their work.

"Our goal? Craft garments not just that please but truly empower," Allen affirmed. "By understanding our clients' varied needs and stories, we create a space where all feel embraced and heard."

King & Allen's steadfast dedication disrupts traditional norms, creating a safe haven where expressing identity authentically through fashion isn't just possible—it flourishes. Their work beautifully illustrates how clothes can empower self-expression.

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