Why the right outfit matters
Most of my wedding questions come from women, but I style men too, and they often tell me the same thing: they've been invited to a wedding and don't know where to start. Whether it's the budget, the quality or simply knowing what's right for the occasion, finding the right outfit can feel harder than it should.
As a London personal stylist, I've helped many men choose what to wear to a wedding as a guest. The good news is that it comes down to three things: the style of the wedding, the right suit and accessories that work together. Get those right and you'll look like you made an effort, without looking like you're trying too hard.
If you're shopping for her as well, read my guide on what to wear to a wedding.
The quick answer
Check the dress code and the venue: they tell you how formal to go.
Choose a well-fitted suit in navy, grey or blue: it works for most weddings.
Coordinate your accessories: shoes and belt in the same colour, and a tie and pocket square that work together.
Understanding the dress code
Most UK wedding invitations use one of these dress codes. If yours doesn't mention one, the venue and the time of day will tell you most of what you need to know.
Black Tie: a dinner suit (tuxedo) in black or midnight blue, a white dress shirt, a black bow tie and black polished shoes.
Morning Dress: common for formal daytime weddings in the UK. A tailcoat, a waistcoat and striped trousers, often hired for the day.
Lounge Suit or Formal: a tailored two- or three-piece suit with a shirt and tie. This is the most common dress code for wedding guests.
Smart Casual or Cocktail: a suit without a tie, or a blazer with tailored trousers.
Beach or Destination: a lightweight linen or cotton suit, or tailored trousers with an open-collar shirt.
For a church or other religious ceremony, keep your jacket on during the service, even if you take it off later at the reception.
Start with the venue and style of the wedding
The location is one of the biggest clues to what you should wear. A wedding in a castle or a grand hotel calls for something very different from one in a country house, a barn or a restaurant.
| Venue | What works | Good choices |
|---|---|---|
| Castle, stately home or grand hotel | Formal, often black tie in the evening | A dinner suit or a dark, well-cut suit, a silk tie, polished Oxford shoes |
| Country house, garden or barn | Smart but relaxed | A suit in a lighter colour or texture, brogues or loafers, an optional tie |
| City venue, registry office or restaurant | Sharp and tailored | A navy or grey suit, a crisp shirt, a tie and pocket square |
| Beach or destination wedding | Light and breathable | A linen or cotton suit, a short-sleeved or open-collar shirt, loafers |
Choose the right wedding guest suit
The suit is the base of the whole outfit, so it's worth getting right.
Fit comes first
A well-fitted suit looks better than an expensive one that doesn't fit. The shoulders should sit flat, the jacket should button without pulling, and the trousers should just touch your shoes. If something is close but not quite right, a tailor can usually adjust the sleeves and trouser length.
Colour
Navy, grey and mid-blue are the safest choices for a wedding guest suit. They suit most skin tones and work in every season. For a summer or daytime wedding, lighter shades such as stone, beige or light grey look fresh. For autumn and winter, deeper tones such as charcoal, bottle green or burgundy feel right.
If you're not sure which colours suit you, a colour analysis session works just as well for men as it does for women.
Fabric and season
Choose wool for most of the year, and linen or cotton for summer and destination weddings. Linen creases, but at a beach or garden wedding that relaxed look is part of its charm.
Coordinate your accessories
An outstanding outfit isn't just the suit. It's the whole set of details, and the key word is coordination.
Shoes and belt: always in the same colour. Brown shoes need a brown belt; black shoes need a black belt.
Tie or bow tie: this is your accent. Choose a colour that doesn't match the suit, so it stands out.
Pocket square: coordinate it with your tie, but don't match it exactly. A shared colour or pattern looks more considered than an identical set.
Cufflinks and watch: keep them simple and in the same metal if you can.
These details are the accent of every man's outfit, so choose them carefully. For more ideas, see my guide to what shoes to wear with outfits.
Can men wear black or white to a wedding?
This is the question my clients ask most, and the answer is a little different from the one I give women.
Black
A black suit isn't wrong for a wedding, especially an evening or black-tie wedding. For a daytime wedding, though, I'd choose navy, grey or blue instead. They look softer and more celebratory. If you do wear black, add colour with your tie and pocket square.
White
A white shirt is always fine. A white suit or jacket is best avoided, unless the couple asks for it or it's a summer wedding abroad where light colours are expected. You don't want to draw attention away from the couple.
What not to wear to a wedding
Jeans, trainers or a T-shirt, unless the couple asks for a very casual dress code
A suit that doesn't fit, however good the brand
Shoes and a belt in different colours
A tie and pocket square in exactly the same fabric
Anything that could upstage the groom, such as a full white suit
FAQs
What should men wear to a wedding? For most weddings, a well-fitted suit in navy, grey or blue with a shirt, tie and polished shoes. Check the invitation for the dress code and adjust for the venue.
Do I have to wear a tie to a wedding? For a formal or lounge suit dress code, yes. For a smart casual or beach wedding, an open collar is fine. If in doubt, wear one: you can always take it off later.
Can I wear a blazer and chinos to a wedding? Yes, for a smart casual, country or beach wedding. For a formal wedding, choose a full suit.
What should men wear to a summer wedding? A lightweight suit in linen or cotton, in a lighter colour such as stone or light grey, with loafers or suede shoes.
What is the difference between black tie and morning dress? Black tie is for evening weddings and means a dinner suit with a bow tie. Morning dress is for formal daytime weddings and means a tailcoat, waistcoat and striped trousers.
Need help with your wedding outfit?
If you have a wedding coming up and would like help choosing your suit and accessories, I can help you find a look that suits you, the venue and your budget. A wardrobe edit is a good place to start if you'd like to see what you already own, or take a look at my styling packages.
Stefania Bartolomei is a personal stylist and the founder of One Of A Style in London. She works with both men and women.