Unsure about what to wear for your wedding? We'll guide you to the perfect suit.
Article: Jens Al-Sheikhali & Ditte Turatti
Published: 08/09 2023
Theme: Guide
As spring approaches and summer is just around the corner, wedding season is in full swing. But are you unsure what's appropriate to wear as a guest to a wedding? We can help you with proper wedding suit etiquette.
What colour?
In our opinion, there's only one type of attire that's appropriate for weddings: the suit. However, since a suit is one of the larger investments in a man's wardrobe, it's necessary to do a little preparatory work before diving into the jungle of colours, fits, and patterns. One of the first things to consider is the colour of your suit. If you don't already own a suit, it's a good idea to start with one of the most common colours: dark blue or navy blue, or, of course, the classic par excellence—a black suit. A navy suit is a great choice for a wedding, even in summer. An added bonus is that you can easily incorporate it into your wardrobe after the big day.
The dark blue suit suits many men well due to its deep, dark color. But if you don't like darkness, you can also choose a gray suit. With gray suits, you generally have two options: dark gray or light gray. The dark gray suit is a bit more versatile for other occasions—dark suits generally are. But that's why you can still choose the slightly lighter one and perhaps buy a dark suit later.
If you love colour and don't mind deviating from the traditional norm, you can choose a suit in a more daring color. For example, sand or a dark green suit, which can also be quite elegant, such as olive green. If you want something even more unusual, you can choose freely: white, red, purple, or perhaps turquoise? However, keep in mind that your attire should reflect the dress code chosen for the wedding.
Check out our wide selection of suits here.
The difficult fit
It's extremely important that your suit fits perfectly. This may sound exaggerated, but if the suit is a little too small and tight, you'll look like you've worn a suit from a time when you were a little slimmer in all the right places. On the other hand, it's not a good idea if the suit is too big either – you'll look too tall, and it will detract from the formal feel that usually comes with a suit.
It should be noted that very few men have the perfect measurements for a standard suit. In most cases, the sleeve or leg length will be a little too long or too short. In these cases, it's best to choose the slightly longer version and have it adjusted by a tailor. The right fit will ensure you look particularly well-groomed and stylish.
Material and Pattern
There aren't many guidelines regarding the material of your suit. Many suits are made of wool, which always ensures great quality. The advantages of a wool suit include being more durable and available in a wide variety of styles. Wool also has the great advantage of being less prone to wrinkling than many other materials. This makes it easier to maintain your style throughout the day and night, and it's also easier to care for. Another advantage is that wool is stain-resistant, so you have less to worry about if the wedding is taking place outdoors.
The only downside to wool, however, is that it's not an optimal material for a summer wedding! You might want to choose a lighter material like linen or a blend. If you prefer some stretch, consider a blend with elastane (often referred to as stretch). This often allows for a little more freedom of movement. You can also achieve additional freedom of movement by choosing a suit with two vents instead of one. For most people, this will also result in a slightly more elegant drape of the jacket than with a single vent.
If you want to stick to a very formal, classic look, you should avoid suits with patterns. The black suit is classic, elegant, and timeless. In general, the rule of thumb is to minimize patterns for formal occasions. We generally wouldn't recommend patterns for a wedding unless you, as the groom, are extremely fashion-conscious and know exactly what works for you.
Accessories for your suit
The most important accessory for a suit is the shirt – it's essential. Of course, you should have a well-fitting shirt. It's very individual, what suits your body and whether you prefer a tighter fit. However, the shirt shouldn't be too loose, as it would baggy and sit uncomfortably under your jacket. The color of the shirt should depend on the color of the suit, but a white shirt is a safe choice in most cases. In general, a white or light blue shirt goes well with most colors. If you want a truly classic look, you can choose a navy suit and pair it with a white shirt.
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After choosing the color of the suit and shirt, you need to decide how many additional accessories you want. The next step is usually ties and possibly pocket squares. There are different opinions on how they should match. Some believe that ties and pocket squares shouldn't match, while others advocate the look. This depends a bit on how much you want to stand out. For a more formal, subdued look, more appropriate for a wedding, choose ties that match your suit color or one of the colors matches the suit.
Find the perfect accessories here
However, choosing the right accessories for your suit also depends on whether you're the groom or a guest. As the groom, you should keep in mind that neither a tie nor a pocket square should overshadow your boutonniere—which is an essential part of your wedding attire.
3 Outfits You Can Wear to Your Wedding
Still unsure which style to choose? We've made it easy with these three sets to inspire you. A good tip is to start with the most classic and work your way up to the more daring sets once you feel comfortable in your suit and have a firm grasp of your style.
The classic
The best entry-level suit and a timeless classic. The dark blue suit can be worn in most situations and is always a safe choice for a wedding. This applies to both summer and winter weddings. The dark color makes it easy to combine it with colorful accessories or keep it neutral with matching colors. Choose a white or light blue shirt and a solid, dark tie. The shoes can be either classic black or a pair of brown ones.
The colourful
If the dress code for the wedding is more relaxed, you can choose a colourful suit. There's quite a bit of freedom in the selection here, but remember not to draw too much attention away from the bride and groom. Unless you have a very specific style, it's best to go a bit more conservative with accessories when wearing a colourful suit. This way, you'll still remain formal and stylish.
With pattern
A subtle pattern is also acceptable for a wedding, but again, you should make sure the dress code allows it. In this case, you should limit yourself to solid-coloured accessories. A patterned suit, ideally checked or striped, can still be stylish. If you do choose a pattern, it's best to choose a slightly darker suit so the pattern doesn't overpower the entire outfit.
Dress code for the suit
Sleeve Length
Generally, the sleeve end should end roughly where the wrist ends and the hand begins, so the jacket sleeve is about 1.5 cm shorter than the shirt sleeve.
Pants Length
Generally, the waistband should rest on the top of the shoe. However, there's a little more flexibility here, and you can choose pants that are either slightly longer or slightly shorter.
Buttons
How do you fasten your jacket in the front? It depends a bit on the number of buttons—1, 2, or 3. But the rule is: always, maybe, never. This means you should always fasten the top (or only) button; you can decide for yourself whether to fasten the middle button (if there are three buttons) and never the bottom button (if there are two or three). Remember, you should always fasten all buttons when you sit down.
Shoes
The quick recommendation for shoes is: Choose black! This is a safe choice in most cases—and if you're wearing a black suit, it's the only choice. However, brown shoes are also very popular with many colors and are often an excellent choice. If you're also wearing a belt, it should match the color of the shoes.