What Colour Suit is Appropriate for a Wedding?
Posted on 11th June 2019 at 19:40
There are many etiquettes related to fashion and each occasion comes with its own set of ‘rules’ and guidelines. If you’re an alternative type then you might feel totally comfortable going against the grain and the style for the event, but the majority of people would rather have the ground swallow them up than turn up at an event in inappropriate dress.
There are many etiquettes related to fashion and each occasion comes with its own set of ‘rules’ and guidelines. If you’re an alternative type then you might feel totally comfortable going against the grain and the style for the event, but the majority of people would rather have the ground swallow them up than turn up at an event in inappropriate dress.
Weddings are a big occasion and there’s a lot of tradition associated with them. The bride at a traditional wedding usually takes centre stage, although this is now changing with same sex marriages. The bridesmaids will complement the bride and the groomsmen will do the same to the groom.
As a guest you may well have some guidelines too.
So as a modern gentleman, what suit should you wear and more importantly – what colour should it be?
Here are our thoughts…
Wear classic colours
For the traditional UK wedding it’s best for the groom and groomsmen to wear classic colours like navy blue or grey. This doesn’t have to be boring, so don’t panic! There’s plenty you can do with the accessories to brighten it up.
This is more about matching the shades with the pastel or vibrant colours that the bridesmaids will be wearing. The bridesmaids and the signature colour of the wedding will govern the colours that the groomsmen can/should wear and usually the classic navy blue or grey match perfectly.
A bright suit with a bright coloured tie can look a bit much can’t it? It’s (traditionally) the bride and bridesmaids who stand out, so perhaps leave the brighter colours to them.
Match your colour theme
The best route here for the groom and his men is to choose a colour that works well with the colour for the day. This colour often matches with the bridesmaids, the flowers, table decorations, and the other areas of the venue, so it makes a lot of sense to get this right from the off.
Grey works perfectly with greens, pinks and purples, whereas navy would look smart with blues, reds and yellows. Ask your tailor if you’re doing something rather leftfield as they’ll be able to guide you to the best match so you add to the theme, not stick out from it (badly).
Wedding guest? Read the invite!
If you’re a guest at a wedding, then it pays to get prepared early! The wedding invites will show the dress code for the day and this is really important if it means wearing something other than the standard wedding go-to suit in the wardrobe.
Dress codes such as morning tails first can be a real spanner in the works if you’ve not checked the invite until a few nights before. We’ve have many a mad dash in store on the wedding morning, but we wouldn’t recommend it!
Aside from tails and top hats, it’s just very sensible to pick out a smart shirt and tie to match your partner’s dress or outfit. There’s nothing like a 3-piece suit at a wedding with a waistcoat that looks purposeful, thought out, and complementary as it matches your partner’s dress.
Waistcoats also give you a very smart look and are worth the extra investment or hire charge.
Wedding abroad?
If you’re heading overseas to get married (usually to a hot country) then the game changes completely. For an overseas wedding in a hot climate the dress sense moves from 3-piece to loose-fitting, and you won’t see tails or hats anywhere.
Being cool and comfortable is the order of the day but that doesn’t mean you can wear your board shorts and look like an Ace Ventura lookalike!
For a wedding overseas and on a sandy beach it’s good to choose a suit that’s light in colour and light in weight. Choosing light colours and materials ensures that you’ll keep as cool as possible whilst still looking smart for the special occasion.
Keep cool and comfortable in high temperatures and opt for beige or light brown linen or a light blue or grey colour.
Colour matters, so do the research early
It’s always best to get the suits and colour schemes sorted out early on and give your tailor, groomsmen, and guests a sporting chance of following your theme and making those photos look amazing.
There will always be someone who goes against the grain and even with the best dress code invite, you’re bound to get one. But try to avoid being that one (unless you want to) by planning ahead with your partner and even your children if they’re invited too.
The colour of your suit does matter and if you’re unsure then a classic navy blue or grey will often work just fine… unless you’re supposed to be in morning tails.
Need more help? Visit us in our menswear shop in Warwick. We have a great range and the resource to pull from if you need something special.
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