What to wear as a wedding guest

Weddings today are no longer like decades past when wearing a dress was mandatory for women. There's now more freedom to deviate from the requirement of classic dresses in favour of sleek suits and chic jumpsuits. Whatever you choose, there are still many points to take into account before putting a clean, cohesive look together…

If you find that your outfit isn't complete without a statement hair accessory or hat, you're not the only one. While hats are widely recognised as a go-to accessory for weddings, there's also the fascinator - a headpiece that consists of decorative designs such as feathers, beads and flowers. Unlike a hat that sits atop the head, a fascinator is attached to a comb, headband or clip, and it's smaller than a typical wedding hat. Because of its size, your hair will still be in view, so it's a good idea to pick an appropriate hairstyle - a donut bun, braids, a ponytail, and a half up, half down do are all great choices.

Whether you're expected to wear a hat or not will ultimately come down to your preference, but it's worth knowing that they're not appropriate for white tie or black tie weddings. However, if you choose to don one of these headpieces for any other formal or non-formal wedding, be aware that hats are mostly worn at ceremonies that begin before the evening, and fascinators can be worn all day long.

Try to keep your hat, shoes and bag in the same colour palette. For example, a coral hat would go with a peach-coloured bag and shoes. Or, you can create a bold contrast by pairing a purple bag and shoes with a mustard yellow hat.

If you're unsure about wearing a hat but would like an alternative, why not go for a clip, headband or a jewelled slide?

If you've got an unembellished outfit, you can upgrade your entire look with elaborate jewellery. Choose a statement bracelet, earrings or necklace. However, if you'd rather opt for simple jewellery, why not decide on some stud earrings, a small pendant necklace and single bracelets? If simplicity is more your style, we suggest sticking to plain gold or silver cufflinks and clear diamonds.

You should consider adding a watch to your outfit as it successfully offers a sleek look. A black leather strap with a round clock face is always the most traditional option, and it goes with any colour.

Are you off to a less formal wedding? Then opt for a stainless steel watch in silver, gold or rose gold. Be sure to match them with your accessories for a cohesive look, for instance, gold earrings with a gold bracelet and watch.

A white tie wedding is the most traditional - you're required to wear an evening tailcoat, a pair of trousers and a white dress shirt. Next in line is a black tie affair which will see you wearing a tuxedo with a white dress shirt. For other formal ceremonies, you can wear a 3-piece or 2-piece suit. If you're going to a casual wedding, you can steer away from a suit and choose something like khakis and a polo shirt.

Before you settle on a suit, you must familiarise yourself with the different fits - regular, tailored, slim and skinny. This way, you can pick the one that's most appropriate and complementary to your body. We recommend that you read our men's suit buying guide to find out more about different styles of suits.

Why not try a regular fit if you're keen on ease of movement? Or, if you want a shirt close to the body, you can't go wrong with a slim fit. Searching for something in between regular and slim? Then the tailored fit has you covered. However, if you want the tightest shirt possible, you should consider the skinny fit.

Dark colours are more suitable in autumn and winter, and for formal weddings. Lean more towards options like black, charcoal and navy for your suit. You should also settle on a heavier fabric as it'll keep you warm against the weather - such as wool, tweed or a luxurious velvet.

When it comes to spring and summer, you can suit up in a lighter colour such as grey, blue, brown or beige. You don't want to be hot and bothered, so finding a suit in lightweight materials with a looser weave is appropriate - you should consider cotton, linen or seersucker suits.

For formal weddings, your best bet is a white dress shirt, but pale blue and light pink can work if it's a little less traditional. These colours tend to go with navy, grey and tan suits. For a semi-formal wedding, you can opt for a shirt in a solid neutral colour like white, grey or black, or you could go for pinstripes or a windowpane check pattern. However, you don't want your outfit to look too busy, so try to avoid picking both a patterned suit and shirt - ensure at least one of them is a solid colour.

If you're going to a casual wedding or a wedding in a hot climate, opt for a paisley shirt or one in a lighter colour such as beige or light green. Why not even try a polished polo shirt?

In terms of material, cotton is a classic that you can wear all year round for all levels of formality. You'll appreciate the Oxford shirt if you want something appropriate for a semi-formal affair. Due to its heavier weave, it's more suitable for the colder seasons. Options for a wedding in the sun are linen, seersucker and chambray.

You must wear a well-fitted shirt, which means choosing the fit that can best achieve this. Do you like your shirts to be roomy? Then you'll appreciate the regular fit. However, if you want something that still offers room and is tailored through the chest and body, you can't go wrong with a tailored fit. If space isn't your thing and you're hoping for a shirt cut closer to the body, why not go for the slim fit? Or, if you require one that's even more slimming and sleek, you have a winner in the skinny fit.

Regardless of the fit, some crucial guidelines must be considered. Your shirt shouldn't be tight through your chest - at most, it should be snug. You also must be able to tuck it into your trousers, and lastly, 1-2cm of the cuff should be visible beyond the jacket.

Naturally, the most formal ceremonies are white tie and black tie weddings, so a bow tie is required for them. Do note that you can wear a bow tie in response to other dress codes if you wish - the more casual the wedding is, the more creative your choice can be. For a traditional wedding, a solid silk tie is a good option - go for standard colours like navy, dark grey, burgundy or silver. However, if it's autumn or winter, you can also consider a cashmere or wool tie.

For a more casual wedding, don't hesitate to try lighter colours like baby blue, grey, khaki or even mustard yellow. You can't go wrong with cotton or linen if the weather is warm. With more chilled affairs, you aren't tied down to only a few options, so you can go for a tie with a louder pattern, such as a polka dot tie with large dots. Naturally, checked and plaid ties are perfect options for less traditional affairs. Or, why not go without if your outfit doesn't call for it?

You should consider wearing black patent leather opera pumps to a white or black tie wedding - it's been a popular shoe choice for these events for decades. You can also wear black Oxford shoes, a classic choice for traditional weddings. However, if you'd like to tone the formality down a little bit, why not also consider Derby shoes, brogues and loafers?

For a clean look, your shoes should be slightly darker than your trousers - charcoal trousers would go well with black shoes, for instance. Keeping in line with the goal of cohesion - try to match your shoes to your belt, especially if it's a formal occasion. For example, black leather shoes with a black leather belt. You should also ensure the buckle matches all your jewellery - a silver buckle would look good with a silver watch and rings, for example.

For formal weddings especially, your socks should be long enough to cover your legs even when sitting down - crew socks are a great option. They should also be dark and plain.

For informal weddings, you're likely to wear shoes that don't require socks, so the decision to wear them comes down to you. For example, loafers are a common choice for casual weddings, and it's easy to don them without socks. However, if you want to protect your feet and shoes, why not try wearing trainer socks instead?

If you're going to a white tie or black tie wedding, then cufflinks are expected. Your best option is to get a French cuff shirt which naturally accommodates this accessory. For other formal weddings, we still recommend wearing cufflinks as they are traditional for events like these.

Considering wearing sunglasses for a summer wedding? You'll be pleased to know you can do this, but they need to be classic frames. They should be timeless - a great option is teardrop aviators. Ensure you choose tinted lenses that allow others to see your eyes.

Nothing rounds off your look more than a wedding-worthy watch. If you're keeping to a traditional dress code, your best bet is a dress watch with a black leather strap and round watch face - luckily, it goes with all outfit colours. Hoping to tone down the formality? Opt for black leather, and wear it with a navy or grey suit. You should also consider a silver watch which looks good with a black or blue outfit. Or, a gold watch to match perfectly with emerald green and beige.

The happy couple's wedding date is looming, and you're now one step closer to picking out that special outfit that will have you confidently celebrating! We want to help you make the best decision, and this can't possibly be done without visual images of the wedding guest outfits we're loving right now. Let’s take a look…

Effortlessly elegant and wholly flattering, the floor-length navy crepe gown Una maxi dress from Gina Bacconi will leave you with no shortage of compliments. The graceful square neck and the lace detail on the sleeves gives a traditional feel that successfully contrasts the more modern approach of the front slit. This makes it versatile enough to be worn at a formal and casual wedding, particularly in autumn or winter. Pair it with a statement silver clutch and simple heels for optimum sophistication.

Looking to step into sophistication? Then look no further, because this tailored jacket and matching trousers fit the occasion swimmingly. Made from polyester in a dreamy cornflower blue shade, this suit will keep you warm and comfortable at a relaxed winter wedding. We particularly love the rich but subtle details on the jacket - from the large buttons on the front and cuffs to the decorative twin flap pockets. The bright colour makes everything stand out - even down to the pleats on the trousers. This suit is the statement, and neutral-coloured heels pair beautifully with it - what about black or beige? Shop the Biba x Tess Daly Tailored Jacket and the Tess Daly Tailored Slim Trousers from Biba.

This smooth, navy 3-piece suit is the way to go for a formal wedding in the colder months. The waistcoat adds a stunning level of sophistication that is only complete with a plain or lightly patterned tie resting underneath it. Pair with a black leather watch strap to tap into tradition, or if you've reached your formal quota - you can't go wrong with a stainless steel silver watch strap. Don't forget to leave the bottom button of your suit jacket undone. Shop the Hugo 3 Piece Suit.

If you're searching for an outfit that is seamlessly casual but still manages to wow other wedding guests, then this chic pairing has got you covered. With a crisp white shirt that lends itself well to the spring and summer sun and a light pair of cotton chinos that will keep you cosy whether you're on the beach or the dancefloor, your attire is complete. Well, not until you slip on a pair of trainer socks and loafers! Shop the Richard James Mayfair Linen Two Piece Suit.