Are you frantically typing, "What should I wear to a wedding?" on Google as we speak? For many men, a friend’s wedding (or their own) is the very first time they have to consider "real" men’s clothing. Maybe that band t-shirt and ripped Levi's were the ideal outfit for a date. Or perhaps you have a working wardrobe, but it’s mostly a few shirts and those pants you bought quickly online. That’s not going to cut it for a wedding! So how do you even start to track down the right look? What do men wear to weddings? Luckily for you, Menz Suits is here to rescue you.
Today we’ll be looking at all thing weddings, no matter the dress code. We will walk you through it all. You’ll learn how to make what you pick look great, even if you are new to suits. We’ll look at accessorising and how to walk the line between respectful attire and showing up at the wedding party. And we’ll even give you some hints on colour and style! Ready to get going? Let’s dive in.
THE GROOM,This one is pretty easy, honestly. The groom should always be the dressiest man in the room. That’s not so obvious in black tie, because every man will be dressed very similarly, but it becomes more and more important for a less formal wedding. If you're the groom, chances are you won't be wearing anything less than a suit—after all, it's your wedding day!
AS A GUEST, you have to balance looking smart without upstaging the happy couple. In more relaxed dress codes, it’s great to show some personality and style, but don’t turn into "that guy," the peacock who wants the attention on him.
THE BEST MAN, does not have to be wildly different from the other groomsmen, but keep in mind that this is a position of honor. Look smart! Keep your tie on until after speeches, unless it’s a very informal event.
ONE OF THE FATHERS, you have the best of all worlds. A little prestige and no responsibility! Well, one. It is your kid’s day, after all. Let them have it. Don’t be that cranky old guy who refuses to dress "different" or wear a specific color, even if you hate it. Offbeat and unusual weddings are more common today than they once were. Don’t bring an office suit and refuse to buy something special. Remember your wedding day and how important it was. Jump into the spirit, break out your best suit, and celebrate the milestone your child is crossing.
FIT MATTERS & FLATTERS
We know shopping can be frustrating, but look at it as an adventure in discovering the suave man waiting inside. And it all starts with good measurements. We at Menz Suits have put together a detailed measurement and size guide to help you get everything perfect, so why not take a look? When you receive your suit, a tailor or our MS tailor can always make the final adjustments to ensure you look magnificent in it, but the better the initial fit, the smoother you will look.
KNOW YOUR COLOURS
If you were assuming we were just going to toss a white shirt and a dark suit on you and call it a day, think again! That combo screams "undertaker" or "MI6," not a wedding! If you just rolled your eyes reading that, hang in there! If you’re very into looking your best, you probably already know how matching the colours you pick up to your skin tone, eyes, and hair colour can matter.
SO, WHATS THE BEST WEDDING ATTIRE FOR MEN
It’s important to pick the wedding suit you’ll feel most comfortable and suave in. So, what kind of look should you go for?
Traditional wedding suits for men tend to be darker colours (think greys and blacks), and many people choose to stick with these classic styles for their groom suits, with matching or complementary suits for their groomsmen. But there’s no need to stick to these colours if you’d prefer something bolder. For a slightly different yet equally refined look, why not opt for a beige wedding suit or a style in taupe or racing green? You could also mix it up by adding a different waistcoat for a touch of luxury. Below are four do's and four don’ts for the big day.
THE 4 DO'S
- Get your wedding suit tailored. The secret to a sharp look? Good tailoring. A perfectly fitted jacket, waistcoat, and trousers will instantly leave you feeling good and looking slick. This is a great option if you’re shopping for a wedding suit and a store doesn’t stock your size: once you’ve purchased your (oversized) suit, take your items to an experienced tailor. With their expert alterations, your suit will look like it was made just for you and you can also guarantee you’ll get exactly the fit you’re looking for. Perfect!
- Experiment with colours and fabrics. Wedding attire for men doesn’t have to be traditional; there are plenty of ways to show style when picking your wedding suit, including fabrics, colours, linings, and patterns. Get creative and choose a bold fabric like tweed, a pattern like subtle checks, or opt for a fun lining. Introduce colour through details: add a paisley tie or a colourful pocket square to match your groomsmen’s suits.
- Choose smart shoes. Oxford leather brogues, patent shoes, or suede loafers? Make sure you choose the right footwear to match your wedding attire: your shoes should ideally be both comfortable and smart, and they should pull your look together with complementary colours or materials. If you’re wearing a navy wedding suit, for example, opt for similarly modern footwear, like tan leather, or, if your suit is a little bolder, try a loafer.
- Pick the right accessories. A pair of cufflinks can go a long way towards adding a finishing touch to your look. Cufflinks are a great way to accentuate the fabric or colours of your wedding suit, whether that’s a gold thread in your tweed jacket, a pale blue lining, or the caramel pattern on your tie. Pick a matching design, and you’ll be dressed to impress. Go even further, but not over the top, by adding a simple waistcoat chain that is subtle but gives you that little edge of being different.
THE 4 DONT'S
- Dont ignore the dress code. Did the invitation specify a colour scheme or smart casual? Whether you’ve been asked to wear a tweed wedding suit or a navy blue style with a bow tie, make sure your wardrobe choices don’t clash with the requests of those getting married. That’s a definite fashion faux-pas!
- Dont forget 3-piece suit. It’s easy to focus only on the jacket and trousers of a wedding suit, but there’s another item to consider too. Don’t forget about the sophisticated three-piece wedding suit: while being a sure-fire way to look smart while your jacket is off, it can also be a fun opportunity to add some subtle colour or pattern to your look.
- Keep things coordinated. Your belt should always match your shoes. Menz Suits says it’s best to stick with the same shade: "Always remember brown shoes." "Brown belt or black shoes; black belt; tan shoes; tan belt, etc." Generally, the rule is that if you’re wearing a black suit, opt for black shoes; brown shoes work really well with navy and blue suits, while grey suits will go with either colour.
- Dont forget to dress for the season. A little style inspiration from nature and the season If it’s a winter wedding, opt for a warmer fabric like tweed or add another layer to your wedding suit with a waistcoat. If a beautiful summer garden is the setting, why not add a touch of colour to your outfit with a floral tie or sizzling-orange pocket square?