Weddings are a joyous occasion for gathering and sharing a celebration with loved ones. Respect is shown by dressing in accordance with the bride and groom's designated dress code.
Consider refraining from ruining their wedding photos with your terrible attire as your genuine wedding gift. They'll appreciate it in 20 years, believe us.
Men sometimes find it particularly challenging to decide what to wear to a wedding. Even while you might want to look your best, you might not have a large collection of formalwear or you might not be aware with wedding dress requirements. Fear not! You may get away with wearing many of your business professional outfits to the majority of weddings, while pricier weddings may call for extra formalwear.
We'll discuss what guys should wear to weddings in this post, as well as what they shouldn't. We'll also go through what to wear to weddings during each season because the appropriate attire for weddings might vary based on the climate and time of year. We'll also break down these common wedding dress codes and provide straightforward wedding attire for men to each:
- White tie
- Black-tie
- Formal
- Cocktail/Semi-Formal
- Smart Casual
- Casual
Spring Wedding Attire
Wedding dress often becomes a little more casual as the weather warms.
You should be more open-minded about color as well. Consider using pastel colours, cerulean, and sage greens as accents with light earth tones like taupe, tan, and light grey.
Consider accessorizing with a funky polka dot pocket square or a pair of colorful patterned socks. Some men might also decide from wearing socks in favor of a more European appearance. Feel free to experiment a little with your formal clothes in the spring. Specifically, within the parameters of the established dress code. After all, you are still a guest at a wedding.
Summer Wedding Attire
Avoid wearing wool fabrics, three-piece suits, and dark colors in the heat because they'll make you sweat profusely before the ceremony even begins. Try a two-piece suit made of a breathable, light material, such cotton or linen, as an alternative. When you're in direct sunshine, lighter hues like tan or light grey will help you stay cool.
A beige suit, a white collared shirt, and a contrasting tie make an effortless summer color combination.
You might also attend a beach wedding in the summer, which normally allows for less formal attire than most other weddings. You should still wear a suit jacket, so pick one with a light color and breathable material to prevent overheating.
Dark hues will not only be uncomfortable, but they will also overly contrast with your light-colored surroundings. Chinos in tans or light colors can be simply cuffed to keep sand off of them.
Choose a white cotton t-shirt or a thin cotton collared shirt. Don't get your expectations up, even if you might be able to walk barefoot. Bring a pair of beach-friendly footwear, such as leather sandals or summer loafers.
Fall Wedding Attire
Depending on the region and temperature, fall wedding clothes might vary drastically. Suit materials with texture and suede shoes can help give your wedding attire a fall vibe. Keep to lightweight summer fabrics and two-piece suits in earthy tans, browns, and greys if the weather is still warm.
Add accents of jewel tones, orange, yellow, and red to your accessories. Consider wearing winter wedding clothing if it's colder. Choose a wool suit in a deep shade of grey, brown, or navy. Bring a basic wool overcoat in black or camel if necessary.
Winter Wedding Attire
You should stick to wearing three-piece suits and wool materials for cold-weather weddings. You should use a dark neutral color like navy or black for your suit. Wear a straightforward black wool overcoat if you need to add another layer of outerwear. Wear only black leather shoes; steer clear of suede, which is readily destroyed by water. Avoid wearing red or green accessories that can make you appear cheesy or festive.
What Not to Wear to a Wedding
There are several things a man should never wear to a wedding, regardless of the dress code. Avoid these 10 items, unless the invitation indicates otherwise:
- White jackets: Do you recall the proverb that states a woman should never wear white to a wedding? For men, the same standard is true.
- Floral boutonnieres: Keep in mind that this is a wedding, not a prom. Leave flower boutonnieres to the wedding party, just like you would the white jackets.
- Shorts: No bride wants to see your calves at their wedding, regardless of how hot it is outdoors or how informal the dress code may be. Always dress in full-length pants.
- Jeans: You should still wear dress pants even if the wedding is informal or there is no dress code (or chinos if you have nothing else).
- Open-toe shoes, sandals, or flip flops: It's crucial to wear closed-toed shoes, unless you're going to a beach wedding. The same goes for wearing sneakers or athletic shoes to a wedding. Your finest options are always oxfords, brogues, or loafers.
- Anything distressed, torn, or ripped: It's crucial to present your best self when attending a wedding. Do not intentionally or unintentionally cause distress.
- Logos, graphics, and flashy prints: Wearing anything with recognizable logos or graphics of any kind is not recommended. And don't be the guy with the silly tie, please.
- Wrinkled clothing: Wrinkle-free appearance is key to appearing your best. Before leaving, make sure to quickly iron your clothes. Only linen, which is a favorite for summer weddings, is an exception to this rule.
- Hats: Any kind of hat should never be worn to a wedding. Ever.
- Anything distracting or attention-seeking: You should never attempt to dress better than the groom as a wedding guest. If you're at a wedding, the happy couple should be the center of attention, not you.
Wedding Dress Codes
White Tie Wedding Attire
These days, white tie ceremonies are uncommon. It may be referred to as a dress suit, tails, or full evening dress on a wedding invitation. Despite once being a common dress code for high society parties, it is now only appropriate for the most formal occasions.
White tie conjures us images of British royal nuptials. The wedding must be significant in order for this dress code to apply, and guests must normally be wealthy or well-known. Don't get scared off! Since this is an unique occasion, you should appreciate dressing up.
As the name implies, white bow ties are appropriate attire for wedding guests. Men must also don an evening tailcoat and white waistcoat. Nowadays, it is more acceptable to forgo the tails in favor of a conventional tuxedo jacket, but use your judgment.
Put on your finest cufflinks and a neat white shirt with a collar. Both black socks and black patent leather shoes are required. Top hats, gloves, and canes are traditional white tie accoutrements that are optional.
Black Tie Wedding Attire
You are donning a tuxedo if the invitation specifies black tie attire. In a nutshell.
Unfortunately, there isn't much leeway for fashion with this rigid dress code. This makes it more crucial than ever that your suit fits perfectly and is wrinkle-free. You want to appear put together and polished.
Wear a black tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, and a bowtie to maintain tradition. Be mindful of the little things. Your bowtie needs to be tied by hand. Your appearance should be flawless. Add some classy cufflinks and a pair of patent leather or velvet black loafers or oxfords. Even if it is legal to dress in a midnight blue suit, it is advisable to maintain a more conventional appearance.
Black Tie Optional
What does "black tie optional" actually mean? Simply treat it as a typical black tie event if you ever see this on an invitation. Because it's optional, if you don't have a tuxedo, you may wear a lounge suit. Instead, think of this as the ideal opportunity to wear your midnight blue tuxedo if you do happen to own one.
Cocktail Wedding Attire
On invitations, this dress requirement might be listed as semi-formal. Fortunately, it gives more latitude when determining what to dress. Nevertheless, a necktie, suit, or suit separates are still required. Avoid wearing a tuxedo; instead, opt for a basic suit jacket and pants. Consider your pick of cocktail clothes as an opportunity to express your personality with chic accessories and astute color schemes.
Smart Casual Wedding Attire
It can be challenging for many men to strike the right mix between stylish and casual. As a general rule, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed for a smart casual wedding. Continue wearing separates with more accommodative tailoring.
Be a little more daring with your attire because these weddings are frequently a little more stylish. Wearing a blazer and trousers in contrasting hues will show off your personality. Consider using a printed shirt, pair of socks, tie, or pocket square to spice up your smart casual ensemble.
Casual Wedding Attire
It can be very perplexing to see casual attire on a wedding invitation. What does "casual" actually mean? Look for hints on the invitation because this dress code is so open to interpretation. What to wear will depend on the setting, the time of day, and the season.
To begin with, a suit and tie are not required. You should still dress in a collared shirt, but you can skip the tie and undo your top button.
Put on a pair of chinos or a suit of light-colored pants underneath. Avoid wearing tuxedos or dark suits since they can feel stuffy in a relaxed situation. Take it as an opportunity to wear some color!
It's vital to avoid reading too much into the casual dress requirement. Jeans, a denim jacket, or a t-shirt are never appropriate. Avoid wearing flip flops and other casual footwear.
