Men: What to Wear to a Summer Wedding

Summer wedding attire can vary depending on the type of wedding and where it is. Today it can be all bells and whistles, or cool and relaxed. But for any type of wedding, here is our guide on what to wear.

Suits for a stylish look

A suit is a great choice and dare we say an easy one when it comes to a wedding. We don't get the opportunity to wear them often enough, so why not go all out when it comes to celebrating. Whether you go for a three piece, jacket and trouser or for a real summer heatwave waistcoat and trouser, matching and coordination is key. When choosing a summer suit, consider the weight, fabric and colour.

Fabric and Weight

Aim for linen, cotton and light-weight wool mixes. Natural fibres breathe more easily and will keep you looking and feeling cool.

Colour

Choose paler tones to suit the season, blues, stone and light charcoal grey all fit the bill.

Trousers

Slim leg trousers with a slightly shorter leg length work better in summer. This is especially true when choosing a linen suit. A slim legged cut will keep its shape better, with more generously cut trousers there’s always the danger of crumpling. A proportion of synthetic fibres in linen trousers will help avoid the scrunched look.

Wool blend and Tweed Jackets with chinos

Lightweight tweed jackets and chinos are a great option particularly if smartened up with ‘wedding appropriate’ accessories, such as a button hole, cufflinks or pocket square. So if you're wondering what o wear to a summer wedding for men, this is a good place to start.

Fabric and Weight

Smart and stylish, effortlessly cool are what comes to mind with the wool-linen blend Cascades Sports Jacket or Karaka Point Jacket from Rodd & Gunn, a perfect choice for a chino/shirt combo. Lightweight summer tweeds are becoming ever more popular, especially appropriate for summer weddings.

Colour

Dark navy can be a bit sombre so opt for paler tones. You’ll never regret investing in a good tailored jacket. They’re versatile wardrobe staples and you’ll get lots of wear from a good blazer. Modern tweeds in greys and light blues work great in summer. They exude sartorial confidence.

Chinos

Can you wear chinos to a wedding? Absolutely, but there are some guidelines to keep in mind. Closely tailored chinos look much smarter than loosely tailored fits. Aim for a crisp trouser break (the point where the trouser hits the foot), with no more than one break/fold to avoid the baggy/overly casual look. And for summer, the lighter coloured chino the better.

Shirt

Fabric

Be sure to choose 100% natural fibres as synthetics won’t let you breathe. If you’re wearing linen, a cotton dress shirt is a crisp textural contrast. Colour and Pattern A dress shirt, or pocket-less Oxford are the smarter option. Plain white is the safe, classic choice. If you opt for colour select lighter tones that compliment your suit or blazer. A small gingham check or light stripe is appropriate if the wedding is less formal.

Waistcoat

The wonderful thing about neatly tailored waistcoats is that as the day progresses you can take your jacket off and relax but the waistcoat keeps you look sharp and smart. If the weather is really hot, a smart waistcoat and matching trouser combo means you can leave the jacket at home.

Tie, or No Tie

Either these days is acceptable. We are a fan of ties here at Humes Outfitters, in fact we encourage them. For a summer wedding a silk tie in a half-Windsor hits the spot or a smart/casual combination of top button done up, no tie. For something different a bow tie can be a smart alternative.

Accessories

Accessories can raise your style game tenfold, with button holes, tie pins, pocket square, cuff links and belts there is much that can be done to elevate an outfit. The little details to some might not even be noticeable but for anyone with an eye for style it is where you can really get creative.

Footwear

Oxfords and brogues are the perfect option for a smarter look, opt for light browns and tans, these will work well with paler suits and chinos, where black can look a little heavy. Smart dress loafers are perfectly acceptable in less traditional contexts, particularly on very hot days or wedding abroad in hot climates.

For more summer style inspiration see our guide on How to wear tweed in the summer. Save