A Guide to Formal Wedding Attire for Men

Often mistaken as a requirement for a tuxedo, men’s formal dress code weddings may not call for the classic black-tie ensemble, but does entail a few time-honored guidelines. A formal dress code, the final step before going all black tie, allows you to look your best while adding a little bit of your individuality.

What is Men's Formal Wedding Wear?

It's important to master the fundamentals of formal wear, which include a well-tailored suit, dress shirt, and tie. Luxury fabrics, traditional single and double-breasted suits, and three-piece suits are the mainstays of this dress code. This entails avoiding overly rough finishes, bright patterns, and extremely casual fabrics. Rather, choose high S number rich worsted wools, mixed noble fibers like cashmere, silk, or alpaca, or, based on the climate and location, a structured mixture of cotton or linen.

Three-piece suits can provide the formal clothing look more depth from a stylistic standpoint. A classic that never goes out of style is a single-breasted suit with a single or double-breasted waistcoat. Deep greys, burgundy, navy or dark blue provide terrific formal alternatives.

Classic black, grey, or navy with a clean white button-up are always a good choice. In the proper context, lighter hues like light green and brown are ideal. Minimize the number of patterns, and complete the ensemble with a silk pocket square, a tie, and black or dark brown lace-ups in plain leather (not suede or patent).

What Should Men Wear to a Semi-Formal Wedding?

There is a subset of the formal dress code known as semi-formal that allows you to slightly loosen your appearance.

Semi-formal, often known as cocktail attire, can be experimented with in two ways: wearing a full suit with a few tweaks or mixing and matching. If you choose the complete suit option, you can make it semi-formal by using a textured knit tie instead of the traditional woven silk tie, or, depending on the situation, by not wearing the tie at all.

You may also add some semi-formal personality by switching out your lace-ups for loafers and your shirts for a pullover. When mixing and matching, wear dark hues, such as grey or blue jackets, with contrasting-colored pants made of a comparable seasonal fabric.

Which Colors Are Appropriate for Formal Dress Codes?

Although black is usually a suitable staple, it's by no means necessary.

Feel free to choose lighter tints, such as mid-grey. Depending on the event, neutral earth tones like as camel, tan, and brown are also acceptable, as are dark greens. When it comes to blue, navy is always a good choice, but in the correct situation and time of year, brighter blues and more striking hues like pastel purple can also be excellent choices.

Dress Code in Form Seasonal Clothing

The fabric is more important than color and style when it comes to seasonal formal wear. It's all about the wool blends in the fall and winter. A pure cotton suit is a timeless choice for the warmer months.

A linen suit is a timeless summery fabric that provides unparalleled breathability and casual style. It reduces the distinctive wrinkling of pure linen and adds structure when combined with cotton.
Pure wool combined with cashmere or alpaca creates a warm, elegant, and incredibly soft fabric that is perfect for the cooler months. Blends of wool and silk, on the other hand, combine the smoothness and delicate sheen of silk with the traditional feel of wool.

The Final Details: Formal Dress Code Accessories

It takes a little finesse to accessorize formal wear. Let's start with the safe bets first.

A traditional silk tie is usually a wise choice. Wool flannel ties can offer depth and texture to winter ensembles, while a cotton or linen blend tie is a good choice for summertime looks. Keep in mind that bow ties are only appropriate for black-tie events. Instead of using a typical woven tie, choose a knitted one to add a touch of casual charm.

For French cuffs, cufflinks are a must. Choose a timeless style, such as studs made of sterling silver, or go for something more unique to inject some personality.

Never wear a belt when it comes to a formal dress code; tonal suspenders, such as dark brown or navy, are a wonderful accent!

From here, you may add a little personality with your choice of pocket squares or socks, which can include a brighter color or a stronger design depending on the situation.

The Formal Dress Code, Your Way

It will be simpler to slip in a few personal touches now that you understand the fundamentals. Even though wearing formal wear necessitates following some norms, we always recommend breaking them with a little flair. Explore all wedding dress codes in our Wedding Edit to go beyond the traditional one, and then use Suitsupply Custom Made to create a look that is all your own.
No matter how you personalize this sophisticated look, don't go too far from the guidelines because a dress code is more than just a formality.