Want to know how to decipher wedding dress codes for men and check out some stylish outfit inspiration? Style Girlfriend’s on the dress code case!
Last summer I attended the wedding of an old roommate down in Memphis, Tennessee. The theme was “Summertime Fly.” It was one of those things where, even if you knew the couple, you were still kind of like… “Wait, what does that mean, exactly?” My girlfriends and I eventually agreed that printed cocktail dresses were perfect for the ladies in attendance—but I drew a blank when trying to imagine what the guys would wear.
Turns out that most guys’ interpretation of Summertime Fly was…a navy suit and brown lace-up shoes.
Classic? Sure. But “fly?” Not exactly.
They blended together like the sea of businessmen I battle each morning in Midtown Manhattan.
That is—all except one.
A friend of the groom wore a beautiful washed teal linen suit, white shirt, and no tie. Full disclosure, I may or may not have had a crush on him years ago, but believe me when I say, he looked incredible.
I told him as much, and, well, he was a little smug about it. But that’s not the point.
The point, you guys, is that he embraced the unique wedding dress code, and here, a year later, I can still picture his head-to-toe look perfectly.
Don’t you want to look this memorably stylish at all your summer weddings? I bet you do.
By now, you’re familiar with wedding dress codes as a concept, but adhering to them?
That can still be a challenge.
I would even wager a guess that unless it’s black tie, you’re probably recycling the same couple suits over and over again. While that may be economical—it’s not very fun!
Luckily for you and just in time for wedding high season, we’ve put together a stylish, inspiring guide for what to wear to all the nuptials on your calendar this year.
From a backyard barbecue that just happens to include a marriage ceremony to a lavish destination wedding on some far-off shore, we promise you’ll look amazing. (Just please, don’t be smug about it.)
Below, wedding dress codes for men…decoded:
Wedding Dress Code: CASUAL
AKA, YOUR COUSIN’S BACKYARD DAYTIME WEDDING
I really hope this isn’t the first time you’re hearing this, but casual wedding dress codes for men don’t mean you can wear jeans. Or—hoo boy—shorts. You cannot. But you can absolutely wear your favorite pair of nice chinos or lightweight dress pants. AND you can leave the blazer (and socks!) at home.
This is a special occasion, remember, so even if you’re simply headed to your cousin’s backyard where your uncle’s flipping burgers for dinner, you still want to honor the bride and groom with a snappy look.
A slim, great fitting polo is definitely an option, but since you come here for *opinions* not options, I’m going to strongly recommend a printed shirt. Like the iconic (to Team SG, anyway) short-sleeved Riviera shirt from Bonobos or a button-front shirt with the sleeves rolled up!
You’ll look cool and fun, but not like you’re trying too hard. And again, just as a reminder, this is a wedding—so tuck your shirt in!
Odds are you’ll be the best-dressed guest no matter what, but why not really drive the point home with your finishing touches: a woven leather belt and some suede espadrilles. They’re the perfect shoes for dancing the night away with your adorable nieces under strings of twinkly lights since they’re ridiculously comfortable.
A casual dress code doesn’t mean you don’t have to try. You should still want to look stylish, cool, and put-together. So iron you shirt, trim your beard and be the dopest goddamn version of “casual” you possibly can be.
Wedding Dress Code: COCKTAIL OR SEMI-FORMAL
AKA… MOST OF THE WEDDINGS YOU’RE GOING TO THIS SUMMER
There’s something about seeing the words “cocktail attire” printed on gorgeous, expensive paper that makes me salivate slightly.
Maybe it’s because I’m imagining that first crisp sip of a Negroni at sunset, or maybe I’m imagining all the handsome dudes on the dance floor in their favorite dark suit, wondering if one of them will dab my forehead with their pocket square later.
Cocktail attire follows a lot of the same guidelines as a formal dress code, but you can be a bit more playful with your details.
A dark suit is definitely the move. You want something that’s just slightly more saturated and vibrant than a typical navy, and for that reason, looks beaucoup plus expensive.
From there, take a few liberties with shirt styles! Think subtle prints like swiss dot and mini-gingham—which pair nicely with on-trend floral ties and your most whimsical pocket squares.
You want the overall effect of your kit to be dressy, but not rigid. That’s why, as a finishing touch, you could swap out your go-to lace-up dress shoes for a really nice pair of leather tassel loafers! Slick, right?
If mixing prints makes you nervous, remember that it’s all about balancing proportions and tying colors together.
None of the prints should be the same, however. In the lewk above, peep that tiny navy swiss dot print on the shirt with a lavender seersucker pocket square, and a floral tie with elements of navy, purple and white.
Cocktail attire is like the Negroni itself: Sleek and sophisticated with a refreshing twist.
Avoid the urge to dress like you do for the office and kick your favorite suit up a notch with playful, fashion-forward details.
Wedding Dress Code: BEACH FORMAL
AKA: YOUR BOUGIE COLLEGE ROOMMATE’S INTIMATE DESTINATION WEDDING
Formal always means a suit, even at the beach. (Sorry Bermuda shorts, you’re not welcome at this party.) So, opt for one that’s really lightweight and airy, and if you’re itching to branch out from your tried-and-true navy, I encourage you to explore the summery range of beige, light grey, sky blue, pale pink or even off-white.
It could even be mint green if that’s what you’re into!
A simple, ultra-crisp white shirts for men in linen or cotton will keep you in the “safe zone” of looking formal, but if, for example, this beach happens to be in the Virgin Islands and not Martha’s Vineyard, feel free to get a bit creative with a punchy print.
Only nerds wear socks to beach weddings, so embrace this opportunity to rock a pair of suede loafers or woven slippers with some exposed ankle.
A light sandy suede or natural leather will go nicely with any of the above suit colors.
For accessories, keep your location in mind.
A Caribbean or Hawaiian destination wedding is your moment for tropical florals and palm prints on your tie or pocket square.
For a coastal wedding in Washington or Maine, on the other hand, think stripes, gingham and tiny, subtle florals.
And I know it’s the beach, but, reflective lens sunglasses ring a bit “over” to me in the Year of Our Lord 2022.
Instead, try a colored, semi-transparent lens in blue or green as a fun alternative to your typical dark grey or black.
Love your beach wedding look the way you love the beach. Embrace the breeze. Embrace the tropical vibes. And don’t make a big to-do out of getting sand in your loafers, nerd!
*A note: It’s up to you to judge based on the bride and groom’s vibe, but for beach weddings you can usually opt out of wearing a tie.
Leave the top button of your shirt undone and accessorize with just a pocket square.
Wedding Dress Code: FESTIVE ATTIRE
AKA, YOUR COWORKER’S LABOR DAY NUPTIALS AT THE FAMILY’S KIAWAH ISLAND SUMMER HOME
Oh boy, right? “Festive” makes for a fun party, but when it comes to decoding the wedding dress codes for men? These invites are not without their challenges.
First of all, yes, it is slightly vague.
Second, it can be intimidating if you’re not a typically adventurous dresser.
For the uninitiated, “festive” means basically the same as a cocktail dress code, but the hosts encourage a dash of whimsy.
The tl;dr? The bride and groom want you to get creative with your look!
Of course, you can approach your festive wedding guest outfit a few different ways.
You can dress up a classic suit with a bold printed shirt and pocket square.
You could wear a traditional wedding look with statement-making shoes in a fun color. Or, you can deconstruct a suit and try mismatched separates with a cool print and a pop of color or two.
What? That sounds crazy and maybe kind of hard to pull off?
Let me explain.
First, I’ve singled out one of my favorite menswear pieces of all time—the ivory blazer.
It’s the more casual, comfortable version of a black tie dinner jacket. To avoid looking like a cater-waiter, wear it with linen dress trousers in a tonal shade of khaki. Keep it funky with a totally unexpected patterned shirt.
For finishing touches, you’ll have to judge by the venue and the time of the wedding how formal to go.
A more relaxed setting and a 3 p.m. ceremony means you could probably go sans tie and wear a cool pair of canvas or leather sneakers (like these pink bad boys!).
For a festive wedding after five, opt for your dressy loafers or lace-ups—but no matter what don’t forget your no-show socks.
It’s summer, after all! Ankles out!
As long as the foundation of your look is solid, you can take all kinds of fun “fashion risks” that really aren’t that risky. The big print. The ivory jacket. Those fresh sneakers you still store in their box…
Wedding Dress Code: EVENING FORMAL OR BLACK TIE-OPTIONAL
AKA, YOUR TRUST FUND BABY BESTIE’S 300-PERSON WEDDING AT THE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
To me (and most women, let’s be honest), there are few things more attractive than a man done up in full black tie regalia.
That perfectly draped shawl collar jacket, with a single-button defining your silhouette, a daring tuxedo stripe that draws the eye down to a perfect break above your dressiest shoes.
Obviously, if the invite indicates “black tie optional,” you don’t have to wear a tuxedo. But if you have one (or are in the market to invest), why not take advantage of this rare opportunity to get really, really dressed up?
They’ve been around awhile now, but I still stan hard for midnight blue tuxedos. The classic black will always be a classic, but the blue just photographs really well. (#Trust)
For summer (and, ahem, fall and spring) weddings, a velvet slipper makes for a dapper alternative to classic black lace-up dress shoes. This tasseled Paul Stuart pair is top-of-the-line, but if you shop around, you can definitely find more affordable options out there.
As far as finishing touches, a bow tie is required with a tuxedo—so pick one that’s formal without being too stuffy—like a nice dot print!
Oh, and do we need to mention that you should learn to tie a bow tie? If you haven’t already? Because you should, and a black tie wedding is a great excuse…
And finally, a simple white pocket square is fine, of course, but why do that when you could really splash out with something bold like a Gucci pocket square covered in bees?
Tips on decoding wedding dress codes for men
When your next invite arrives in the mail, take a cue from my teal suit-wearing former crush. Your role as a wedding guest is the perfect moment to see an opportunity where others see just another night in that go-to suit.
Don’t get me wrong—I love your go-to suit. You love your go-to suit. But testing the proverbial waters by changing it up with, say, a bright, bold printed shirt or (cough, cough) a gorgeous ivory blazer, could be the difference between a good look and a great one.
Plus, the stylish impression you make may just be burned forever on the brain of a cute girl who once had a crush on you. Win-win!
Want 1-on-1 style support for all your wedding dress codes for men conundrums? Team SG can help!
If you’re ready to tear up the dance floor looking like a star at all your weddings but don’t want to do the hard work of putting all those outfits together, consider having Team SG shop for you!
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