Whether you’re there to support the happy couple (and, sure, maybe hook up with a bridesmaid), or you’re the one getting hitched (which means no bridesmaids) here’s everything you need to look your absolute best.
BEYOND BLUE
The navy suit is a workhorse. It’ll take you from the office to drinks to weekend brunch with the change of a shirt. But this is someone’s wedding, damnit, and you don’t want to look like you just came from any of those places. If you’re set on blue, pick a fabric that takes navy to the next level, whether that’s a small contrasting print, some texture, or a bit of sheen.
(L TO R) COTTON SUIT ($2,980), COTTON SHIRT ($360), ACETATE SUNGLASSES ($455), CASHMERE TIE ($200), AND LEATHER SHOES ($750) BY GUCCI; MOHAIR SUIT ($7,200), COTTON SHIRT ($825), SILK TIE ($320), SILK POCKET SQUARE ($230), AND LEATHER SHOES ($2,180) BY TOM FORD; SILK SUIT ($2,500), COTTON SHIRT ($550), SILK TIE ($270), AND SILK POCKET SQUARE ($190) BY LOUIS VUITTON.
DRESSED TO THE NINES
Fact: at some point in your life, some jerk is going to have a black tie wedding. (Seriously. These are still a thing.) When that time comes, you should be ready. A black tuxedo, white French cuff shirt, and patent shoes are the foundation for any successful formal look, but don’t be afraid to have some fun with the accessories, like a houndstooth bowtieora blinged-out pair of cufflinks. That’ll show ’em.
WOOL TUXEDO ($900) AND SILK POCKET SQUARE ($60) BY STRELLSON; COTTON SHIRT ($165) BY EMPIRE CUSTOM; WOOL BOW TIE ($35) BY THE GRUNION RUN; STERLING SILVER AND WHITE ZIRCONIA CUFFLINKS ($265) BY THOMAS SABO; PATEN LEATHER SHOES ($450) BY CHRISTOPHER BATES FOR HARRY ROSEN.
PACK A PUNCH
You don’t need to buy a new suit to go to a wedding (unless it’s your own, of course, but that’s another story). Springing for a new pocket square is a good, efficient way to liven up an old standby. Choose something you can’t pull off at the office, like bright colours and bold prints.
(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) REISS ($55); TIGER OF SWEDEN ($60); CANALI ($110, AT HOLT RENFREW); BOSS ($165); SEAWARD AND STEARN ($100, AT HARRY ROSEN); BROOKS BROTHERS($55).
MIX IT UP
Don’t want to wear a suit? That’s totally fine. Instead, try pairing different blazers and trousers together. The key is choosing complimentary pieces. Keep the tones the same, but pair a patterned piece with a solid item so that everyone knows the combo was deliberate, and style savvy.
SILK JACKET ($1,995) AND WOOL PANTS ($550) BY BURBERRY; COTTON SHIRT ($550) BY LOUIS VUITTON; SILK TIE ($205) BY BOSS; 18 KARAT YELLOW, WHITE, AND PINK GOLD CUFFLINKS ($5,150) BY CARTIER; SUEDE SHOES ($335) BY MEPHISTO.
SAIL AWAY
When it comes to dressing for a wedding, you can never go wrong with a classic — especially when the classic in question is a reinvented yacht stripe blazer. While the stripes are a bold choice, the traditional pattern done in a traditional colour palette (navy, red, and grey) keeps it from being too overwhelming. Just make sure your pants are solid so all the attention is up top.
WOOL JACKET ($2,400) AND WOOL PANTS ($800) BY GARRISON BESPOKE; COTTON SHIRT ($595) BY GIORGIO ARMANI, AT HARRY ROSEN; ACETATE GLASSES ($525) BY ROBERT MARC, AT JOSEPHSON OPTICIANS; LINEN TIE ($150) BY THOMAS MASON, AT HOLT RENFREW.
NATURAL EXPRESSION
Your tie should reflect the environment you’re in. For outdoor weddings (which, we’ll just say it, are the most fun, even if they rely too heavily on mason jars these days), go with something like light linen, seersucker, or silk, preferably in a colour and pattern as bold as your floral pocket square.
(L TO R) DION ($120, AT HARRY ROSEN); REISS ($95); STRELLSON ($130), PAUL SMITH ($185, AT HOLT RENFREW); BROOKS BROTHERS (BOTH $130).
STAND OUT STYLE
Feel free to outshine the bride. She probably picked the theme, and now it’s your job to take that theme to the next level. A formal affair? Get your three-piece on with a bright blazer swapped in for the suit jacket. Beach wedding? Go seersucker or go home.
(L TO R) WOOL JACKET ($800), COTTON WAISTCOAT ($300), AND COTTON PANTS ($275) BY THOMAS HENRY MADE; COTTON SHIRT ($295) BY PAUL SMITH, AT HOLT RENFREW; ALUMINUM GLASSES ($320) BY ÖGA; SILK TIE ($70) BY BEN SHERMAN; COTTON JACKET AND COTTON PANTS ($225) BY MICHAEL KORS MENS; COTTON SHIRT ($189) BY TIGER OF SWEDEN.
BEIGE IS BOLD
A khaki suit is a summer staple, perfect for an outdoor wedding. It’s also a great neutral canvas. A shirt with a small print and a knit tie make a great combo for a more conventional wedding (especially if you’re the groom), but if the nuptials are on the more casual side, skip the tie and pick a playfully patterned shirt that shows you’re ready to have a good time.
COTTON JACKET ($795), COTTON PANTS ($345), AND OPTYL SUNGLASSES ($235) BY BOSS; COTTON SHIRT ($395) BY GARRISON BESPOKE; COTTON POCKET SQUARE ($20) BY THE GRUNION RUN.
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
As the saying goes, the shoes make the man — or in this case, the outfit. If the wedding is formal, go with a standard black lace-up. If it’s formal, but the bride is cool, try a monk strap. For casual outdoor affairs, we recommend suede loafers or, depending on how relaxed and confident you are, a badass pair of leather espadrilles.
