The only task more difficult than planning a wedding is selecting the attire to attend to the party. Before you head to your favorite tuxedo shop in NYC and ask for some advice, check your closet for these men’s wedding attire pieces and see if you can mix-and-match appropriately.
BLACK TIE AND FORMAL OCCASION
The Suit
Opt for a black or navy, single breasted jacket with one or two buttons. If you
want to pull off a double breasted jacket, make sure that it’s tailored close to the body and fitted well around the waist, so it doesn’t look bulky instead of slimming. If it’s a black tie affair, skip the navy and wear black. If you’re wearing navy, be sure to buy the jacket with the pants to avoid wearing two different shades of navy. If you’re wearing black, simply select a pair of black trousers to match your jacket.
The Tie
If you’re wearing a navy jacket, wear a matching navy silk tie in a Windsor knot. If it’s a black tie or more formal affair, wear a black tie in a Windsor knot. Be sure it’s not a chunky tie and doesn’t have a width larger than three inches. Skinny ties are always a good bet if you’re unsure.
The Shirt
Choose a cotton Oxford or poplin shirt in white and make sure that it’s pressed to perfection.
men's wedding attirePhoto by: https://www.friartux.com
The Socks and Shoes
For footwear, select a classic black leather lace-up oxford or simple black leather oxfords that are either plain or have a sophisticated buckle. Wear black shoes with a black suit and navy socks with a navy suit.
The Extras
Keeping it simple is always preferable at a black tie or formal event, but if you want to step your style up a notch, grab a black vest and wear it underneath your jacket for a stylish three piece suit. If you’re wearing a navy suit, you can get a little unorthodox and wear a white pocket square or a navy with white polka dots. If you’re in navy and want to play it safe, wear a simple, matching silk navy pocket square. For a black tie event, wear a black silk pocket square. Lastly, select a simple black leather belt for a black ensemble or dark brown for a navy ensemble. Both silver and gold buckles are acceptable choices.
INFORMAL OCCASION
The Suit
Select a single breasted jacket with one or two buttons in either a navy, black, dark brown, heather grey, or charcoal and select matching trousers. Opt for a black or navy, single breasted jacket with one or two buttons. The same rules apply here: if you want to pull off a double breasted jacket, make sure that it’s tailored short to the body and fitted well around the waist, so it doesn’t look bulky instead of slimming. If you’re wearing navy, be sure to buy the jacket with the pants to avoid wearing two different shades of navy. If you’re wearing black, simply select a pair of black trousers to match your jacket. For a very informal wedding, feel free to select a checked blazer and matching khaki, cactus, or maroon pant, depending on the season.
The Tie
For informal affairs, you can choose a fun patterned tie if you’re wearing a solid shirt. The trick here is to mix-and-match appropriately. The best rule of thumb would be to pick one piece of clothing and make that your statement piece. For example, if you decide to wear a bright yellow tie, be sure to wear a more muted solid button down, such as a classic white, and that the rest of your suit is a simple grey, black, or navy. For ties, use a Windsor or four-in-hand knot. Again, be sure your tie doesn’t have a width larger than three inches, and opt for a skinny tie if you’re unsure.
The Shirt
For an informal wedding, it’s easy to select a button down once you’ve picked out a tie. Be sure to plan your shirt around your tie. For example, if you pick a simple black tie, you can opt for any shade of oxford shirt from jade to white to lavender. However, if you pick a blue and red polka tie, it’s best to select a crisp white shirt or a more muted color that will let the tie pop and standalone as your statement piece.
men's wedding attire
The Socks and Shoes
For footwear, choose between classics like a leather lace-up oxford or simple leather oxfords with or without a buckle, or choose a less traditional suede wingtip or a penny loafer. For a navy suit, opt for a dark brown shoe or a color that matches your tie. For a black suit, opt for a black shoe. For a grey suit, opt for a black or dark brown shoe depending on your tie color. For a dark brown suit, opt for a dark brown or navy shoe depending on your tie selection. You can select a sock color that matches your suit color, or go a little crazy with colorful socks if you want a small bit of shock value.
The Extras
If you’re wearing a navy suit, opt for a pocket square with polka dots or stripes with navy in it. Follow this same rule for a black, grey, and dark brown suit. Lastly, select a simple black leather belt for a black or grey ensemble or dark brown for a navy or brown ensemble. Both silver and gold buckles are acceptable choices.
DESTINATION OR BEACH OCCASION
The Suit
When it comes to selecting a suit for a summer wedding, it’s a whole different set of rules. The goal here is comfortability in the heat, so you’ll want to select a linen fabric. Most summer weddings are quite casual and allow for a pastel palette full of pale yellows, pinks, mint green, red, blue, and more. Select whichever shade appeals to you. If you’re a bit more conservative or aren’t sure which to choose, a simple khaki or light blue is always a safe bet. This is where you can mix-and-match too. For example, if you’re wearing red pants, opt for a light blue jacket. If you’re wearing a grey jacket, opt for mint pants. Choose a hue and coordinate pants as you wish. Note: Don’t wear all white! The bride will be doing that!
The Tie
Skip the tie! It’s too hot outside!
The Shirt
Choose a breathable linen fabric that matches your chosen suit palette. For example, if you picked a grey jacket and a white pair of pants, opt for a white short sleeved linen button down. If you picked a navy jacket and a white pair of pants, opt for a navy shirt.
The Socks and Shoes
Forget the socks and slip on some sandals, boat shoes, or a comfortable loafer that’s easy to slip on and off in case you have to traverse across the sand. Match your shoe color to your suit pant, tie, and/or jacket.
The Extras
If appropriate, bring along some sunglasses or a sand-colored fedora.
Now that your ensemble is all set, be sure to book a ride to the ceremony. Luxor Limo will ensure that you get to the venue on time, and even supply you with some champagne to enjoy en route upon request.
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