What Should Men Wear to a Wedding?
Whether you’re a guest, a groomsman, or a best man, dressing for a wedding is a delicate task – you want to meet the requirements of the dress code, but don’t want to upstage the bride or groom. From the venue to the time of day the wedding takes place, there are a number of factors that determine men’s wedding attire. In this guide, we’ll break down recommendations for how men can dress for a wedding to make the right impression when the big day arrives.
Men’s Wedding Attire By Dress Code
Most wedding invitations will mention a dress code, though the precise verbiage may vary. Whether the invite blatantly reads “Black Tie” or hints in small text at “Casual dress requested,” below you’ll find the most common types of wedding dress codes and how to look the part for each.
White Tie
The most formal but least common of all wedding dress codes, White Tie is reserved for highly refined events often reserved for aristocracy or influential echelons of society. If the wedding you’ve been invited to calls for White Tie, you’ll need the following:
- Black tailcoat and trousers
- White shirt (preferably with a wing collar)
- Waistcoat in white or black
- Black patent lace shoes
- White or black pocket square (optional)
- Black top hat (optional)
As White Tie is reserved for prestigious events, there’s very little wiggle room for adding personal flair to the dress code. Leave the fashion risks for less restrictive dress codes. What’s most important when it comes to White Tie is making sure your suit is properly fitted and made of quality materials.
Black Tie
When you hear “Black Tie”, the first word that comes to mind should be “tuxedo.” Less constraining than White Tie but still very elevated, a classic black tux is the go-to men’s attire for any Black Tie wedding. However, there is slightly more flexibility within this attire category – a black, midnight blue, or charcoal gray suit can serve as alternatives to the straightlaced tuxedo.
To play it safe and traditional, and to guarantee you’re within the lines of appropriate dress code, you’ll need the following for a men’s Black Tie look:
- Black or dark blue/gray tuxedo jacket (preferably with satin lapels)
- Trousers (these should match the tux jacket)
- White collared tuxedo shirt
- Black shoes (patent is traditional but not required; leather or loafers can work, too)
- Black bow tie
- Studs
- Cufflinks
- Vest or Cumberbund (but never both!)
If you don’t own or wish to rent a tuxedo, follow the above guidelines, but swap the tuxedo jacket and shirt for a dark-hued suit jacket and white oxford.
Formal, or Black Tie Optional
Formal dress code weddings fall slightly below Black Tie in terms of formality, and allow a greater degree of personalization than courtlier counterparts. As the name suggests, a tuxedo wouldn’t be out of place in this dress code, but your options aren’t limited to such. A tailored suit, matching-hue tie, and crisp dress shirt are the real essentials you’ll need to nail the look at a Formal/Black Tie Optional wedding.
Play off the following elements to formulate your Formal menswear look:
- Single-, double-breasted, or 3-piece suit (preferably in a dark or neutral color)
- Quality dress shirt (white or lighter, complementary colors are best)
- Ensemble-enhancing tie (keep the patterns and brightness to a minimum)
- Black, charcoal, or dark brown lace up leather shoes (no patent!)
- Silk pocket square
Cocktail, or Semi Formal
A step below Formal and allowing for the second-greatest degree of self-expression (Casual is where personal style really shines), Cocktail is one of the most popular and common wedding dress codes. Also referred to as “Semi Formal”, for this attire, you’ll actually want to avoid the tuxedo, opting instead for a well-tailored suit with a few other accents – feel free to add some personality here.
The essential ingredients of men’s Cocktail wear for a wedding:
- Dark suit (any style)
- Dress shirt (patterns and non-neutrals acceptable)
- Necktie or bowtie (optional)
- Lace-ups or loafers
Beach, Beach-y, or Tropical
If you’re fortunate enough to have been invited to a beach wedding, you’ll definitely want to dress appropriately for the outdoor occasion – both for respect of the wedding party and for your own comfort! Beach weddings invariably take place in the warmer months, so light, breathable fabrics are your best friend when it comes to this dress code.
Whether the wedding invite states “Beach,” “Beach-y,” or “Tropical,” be sure you have the following ready to go before you get sand between your toes:
- Lighter-hued linen, cotton, or linen-blend suit (cream, beige, salmon pink, and light blue are all classics)
- Lightweight button up (choose summer-friendly fabrics in a neutral or pastel color)
- Tie? Skip it!
- Pocket square? Optional, and only in cotton or linen
- Loafers, espadrilles, or boat/deck shoes
Casual
A Casual wedding dress code doesn’t mean you can show up in denim or sweatpants – but it does allow for the most variability and personal expression of any nuptial fashion categories. Here a suit is actually too formal – opt instead for a seasonally-appropriate sports coat or blazer and nice trousers. The time of day and/or venue may have an impact on what shirt you wear; a morning or midday “casual” wedding in an informal setting may allow for a designer t-shirt, whereas evening and nighttime gatherings in a swankier environment will still require some variety of button down.
Stick to picking from these basics for Casual men’s wedding attire, but don’t be afraid to express your unique sense of style:
- Seasonal blazer or sports coat
- Designer t-shirt, polo, or button down (depending on ceremony timing and venue)
- Quality trousers
- No tie needed
- Loafers, monkstraps, derby shoes, or Chelsea boots
Men’s Wedding Attire By Venue
If the wedding you’ve been invited to is set to take place at a nontraditional venue, it may be harder to determine what the dress code requires. Here we’ve detailed a couple of venue-specific attire categories and how men can dress to meet the aesthetic of the occasion.
Mountain Wedding
For a mountain wedding, you’ll want to dress for higher altitudes. Flannels or fancy corduroys may match the dress code, unless it’s overtly specified. You can also add warmth to a traditional 3-piece suit with a mock turtleneck or wool crewneck sweater. If the outfit needs a tie, opt for neckwear with a texture as rugged as the surroundings – think flannel, wool, or tweed.
Garden Wedding
The blooming beauty of a garden wedding demands a menswear ensemble equally as fresh. Lighter colored or pastel suits are appropriate here, especially with an understated floral tie or flower-printed dress shirt. If you don’t have a light suit, dark colors are still acceptable, and will likely flatter any plant-forward accents you pair with them.
Destination Wedding
By definition, destination weddings take place outside of the couple’s hometown or usual residence, typically in dream locations characterized by tropical weather or pristine natural surroundings. With this in mind, you may wear an outfit comparable to a Beach dress code. If the destination wedding is actually in a colder climate, stick to 3-piece suits for warmth and layer with knitwear in lieu of dress shirts.
Men’s Wedding Attire By Time of Day
While it may seem a marginal factor, the time of day that a wedding takes place can actually have a lot of influence on what guests are expected to wear.
Daytime Weddings
Black and dark-colored fabrics will absorb the heat of the sun, so if dress code allows, go for lighter colored suits and shirts instead. If seasonally appropriate, breathable materials like linen and cotton – especially in seersucker – are excellent options.
Evening Weddings
As a general rule of thumb, it’s safe to assume that the later in the day the wedding takes place, the more elevated the attire will be. Dark-colored suits and tuxedos will be the mainstay of most men’s attire for evening weddings. If the after-dark event calls for Formal or Cocktail, this is a great opportunity to show off a jewel-toned dress shirt or pocket square.
Men’s Wedding Attire By Season
If there’s no specific dress code listed on your wedding invitation, use the cues of the season to guide your decision-making on attire.
Men’s Wedding Attire for Spring
The weather can be precarious in spring, with temperatures varying from frigid to balmy. To make sure you’re prepared no matter what the day-of forecast predicts, plan two outfits: one for warm weather and one for colder temps. A warm-weather spring wedding ensemble may be your best light-colored blazer with a colorful shirt, whereas a chillier day is best met with a gray or navy jacket or 3-piece suit.
Men’s Wedding Attire for Summer
During the hottest months of the year, light colors and light fabrics are a wedding guest’s best friends. Chambray, linen, and seersucker will be the best go-tos to keep things breezy. Breathable shoes that can be worn with or without socks are a must as well.
Men’s Wedding Attire for Fall
Just like the transitional season of spring, the fall is subject to wildly variable temperatures. When dressing for a fall wedding, layering is key. Consider a wool or microfiber vest that you can put on or shed as the weather shifts. Also feel free to play with the colors of the season – maroon, warm brown, mustard yellow – in warmer fabrics and plaid or paisley prints.
Men’s Wedding Attire for Winter
Many winter weddings will come with a Formal dress code attached, if only because the attire fits so well with colder temperatures. In lieu of traditional tuxedos, however, you can feel free to style up your suit with a velvet or suede jacket. Not only does this give off a more festive air, but it will keep you warm enough to weather any flurries. For accessories, consider a holiday-hued pocket square or tie in poinsettia red or fir green.
Men’s Wedding Style Starts at
SAINT CROIX
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