We all know that the #1 wedding faux pas is to show up in an outfit that overshadows the bride. Any woman will be highly conscious of this fact when she picks out an outfit to wear to a wedding, but that doesn’t apply to men, right? Wrong!
If you show up to your friend’s wedding wearing a baby blue tux with Converse All-Star sneakers, you might not be doing the bride and groom’s impeccably planned style scheme any favours (unless, of course, they specifically asked their guests to dress this way!). “Fine,” you might say. “Then if that’s the wrong thing to wear, what’s the right thing?”
That all depends upon how casually the bride and groom are approaching their event. Usually (and thankfully), the wedding invitation makes this easy by specifying which of these three dress code categories to adhere to:
Black Tie
The most formal of the three, this dress code insists upon:
- A classic white tuxedo shirt
- Solid black tuxedo (but a black suit can also pass)
- Classic black bow-tie
- Studded tuxedo buttons
- Black patent leather Oxfords (polished, of course!)
- A white pocket square (optional, but encouraged)
Black Tie Optional
A step in a slightly more casual direction. This dress code calls for:
- A crisp white dress shirt (not a tux shirt)
- A dark coloured, conservative tie (doesn’t have to be black, but you should probably opt to leave your yellow power-tie at home for this one)
- Black suit
- Dark leather shoes (yes, polish these too!)
Semi Formal
Sometimes also referred to as “After 5” or “Cocktail Attire,” this is a laid back approach that we’re seeing at more and more weddings these days. Here’s what you need to ace this look:
- A dark suit
- Dress shirt (it can have a pattern, but make sure it’s not too loud)
- Classy tie of choice
- Dark dressy leather shoes
- Optional colourful pocket square for a pop of brightness
A few other pro-tips for the big day:
- “If you’re not part of the wedding party, go for a slim fit suit with clean lines and a peak lapel to add interest,” suggests Daisy Thistlethwaite, senior menswear designer at co.uk
- Make sure your pocket square isn’t hanging out of your pocket like a magician’s scarf.
- And, while we’re at it, here’s a guide to tying a bow-tie as well — just in case!
- Unless you’re sporting well-groomed, successfully grown-in facial hair, opt for a clean shaven look.
- Don’t overdress — if the invitation says “Cocktail Attire,” wearing a full tuxedo might be overkill. If the wedding invitation doesn’t specify a dress code at all, ask the bride or groom. If they’re indecisive about it, then the smartest option is usually to go for a semi-formal look with a simple dress shirt and unobtrusive tie.
Let us help you put a fresh spin on your get-up for the next wedding you’re invited to! We offer custom tailoring and only the highest quality materials for all your formal attire needs.
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