A Guide to the Best Wedding Suits for Men
You’ve popped the question, set the date, and now it’s time for that all-important decision: which suit will you go for? Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. But before you turn the page into this new chapter, you must ensure your outfit is well-suited for the occasion. A lot goes into putting together your wedding day suit. So if you’re unsure where to start, we’ve got you.
From shirt materials to tie colours, our expert-led guide on wedding suits for men will take you through everything you need to guarantee that you and your groomsmen look picture-perfect on your special day.
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2-piece vs 3-piece suit: Which is best?
It’s the age-old dilemma - how should you be suited up on your wedding day? Ultimately, it comes down to how formal you want your big day to be.
If you’re someone who prefers a timelessly traditional outfit, then a 3-piece suit has got your name written all over it. Consisting of a pair of trousers, a suit jacket, a waistcoat and a dress shirt or formal shirt, this stylish and sophisticated attire is the perfect ensemble for a fancy affair and is sure to keep all eyes on you during your wedding day.
Are you looking for something a bit more versatile? You can’t go wrong with a classic 2-piece suit. It’s made up of just a suit jacket, a pair of trousers and a dress shirt or formal shirt, so no waistcoat is required. In fact, if you own a 3-piece suit, you can wear it as a 2-piece - as long as you make sure it’s cut to still look smart without the waistcoat worn underneath.
How to choose the right colour suit
Deciding on the suit you’d like to wear is one thing, but the colour of the suit is equally important. It’s not an easy decision to make, but relying on the season and the formality of your wedding can lend a helping hand.
Seasonal colours
Winter and autumn weddings lend themselves to formal and dark colours as they absorb heat from the sun and keep you warm, so consider decking yourself out in colours such as black, charcoal and navy.
When the weather turns cooler, it’s appropriate to wear a heavier fabric so you can keep warm. Wool is an excellent option for a formal wedding, and tweed offers you the chance to look stylish. If you’re hoping to stand out as you take your place down the aisle, consider indulging yourself in the sumptuous fabric of velvet.
On the other hand, the seasons of spring and summer call for paler colours such as grey, blue, brown or anything that falls around the cream colour palette. See the sunny day through in lightweight materials with a looser weave so you don’t get too warm. Light wool, cotton, linen and seersucker are materials that won’t disappoint you.
Traditional weddings
Planning an evening wedding? Then tap into a traditional attire that’s centuries old - the white tie suit. Or, if you’re seeking a more modern look, opt for a sleek black tie instead. Of course, there’s always the possibility of a daytime wedding, and a morning suit has you covered for this. Consisting of a morning coat, waistcoat and a pair of trousers, it’s perfect for tending to your traditional needs.
Informal ceremonies
Generally, the lighter the shade of your suit, the more informal your entire ceremony is. There’s no tradition to stick to, so go for paler and vibrant colours. How do you feel about a light blue suit? Or maybe a floral patterned shirt is calling your name? Stick to a crisp, light colour palette for a casual ceremony.
Destination weddings
Who doesn’t love a wedding abroad? There’s nothing better than taking your nuptials to a tropical location - as long as you’re packing the right wedding wardrobe. You don’t want to worry about sweating in the heat, so opt for either cotton, linen or seersucker. Once again, you have more freedom with your suit due to the informality of destination weddings, so say yes to a colourful suit if you want to, and don’t feel obliged to wear a tie if it’s a tad too formal for you.
How your wedding suit should fit
When choosing your shirt, it’s important to decide carefully on the fit that’s right for you - you have the options of regular, slim, tailored and skinny. Despite the differences in each fit, there are some general rules to follow to make sure your suit is comfortable for your big day. Read on for more guidance on how each part of your suit should fit…
The suit jacket
- It should fall around your mid-crotch level
- Its collar should sit evenly against your shirt collar on the back of your neck, with no gaps
- Buttoning it shouldn’t cause an uncomfortable pull or cause creases to poke out from the buttons
- Each sleeve should rest right above the top of your wrist bone
The waistcoat
- It should cover the waistband of your trousers
- The armholes should be high up against your underarms
- Fastening the buttons shouldn’t cause them to pull
- The V-shape should be narrow, so that you can still see it when you button your suit jacket
- You should adjust the buckle at the back to give you enough breathing room
The dress shirt
- It shouldn’t balloon above your waistband
- It should be snug but not too tight over your chest
- The sleeves should fit closely around your arm
- 1-2cm of the cuff should be exposed beyond the jacket arm
- You should be able to tuck it into your trousers and it should remain tucked in when you raise your arms
- You should be able to fit one finger between your neck and the collar of your shirt
- The seam of the shoulders must sync with the edge of your shoulders
The trousers
- You should feel no restriction in the seat of the trousers or your crotch
- The trousers should hug your upper thighs comfortably
- The trouser cuff should rest on the top of the shoe but only barely
Pick the best shirt for your suit
One of your first points of consideration should be the fit of your shirt. Choosing the right fit will naturally make you look your sharpest by accentuating and flattering your physique.
If you want a classic fit that leaves room in the body and sleeves, the regular fit has got you covered. For a shirt that’s tailored through the chest and body, has a tapered waist and offers freedom of movement, why not go for a tailored fit?
Go for the slim fit if you’re hoping for a shirt that is cut closer to the body and is narrower around the arms, chest and waist. Or, if you want an even slimmer fit that’s even narrower, the skinny fit is perfect for you.
There are a number of different collars to choose from, but if you’re planning on having a traditional white tie or black tie wedding, then the wingtip collar will set you up nicely, as it’s designed to be worn with a bow tie.
If this dress code isn’t your bag, but you still favour a formal wedding, we recommend the spread collar. It’s a classic option that accommodates large tie knots - a standard formal practice. For something a bit more relaxed, go for the point collar. It allows for skinnier tie knots, which will complement a casual suit.
When it comes to the shirt, white is the most formal and traditional colour you can wear. Interestingly, although darker suits are more traditional, lighter shirts are more formal, so good options include pale pink, light blue and light grey. Navy and black are a little less informal, while striped and checked are completely casual.
But what about your shirt cuff? Well, a great option for an informal wedding is the barrel cuff. You can’t go wrong with it, which explains why it’s the most popular cuff style today. All you have to do is fasten it with a button.
However, you may want to consider the French cuff for a more traditional wedding, which you’ll need to fasten with cufflinks. They’re sleek, stylish and commonly worn at formal ceremonies.
Picking the right wedding shoes
You’re about to step into a new phase of your life, so it’s only right to wear the most appropriate shoes. You wouldn’t want to show up at your white-tie wedding with trainers, would you? The usual rule is as follows - the more traditional the wedding, the more formal the shoes, with leather shoes being the foundation of formalwear.
If you’re having a traditional wedding, you can’t go wrong with patent leather black oxfords. However, you should certainly consider opera pumps for black tie and white tie - they’re notorious for being the shoe of choice at the most formal occasions. There are also a few more options that can be both formal or casual, depending on how you wear them, so don’t hesitate to consider derby shoes, brogues or monk straps. And if it’s a casual ceremony, loafers, or Chelsea boots are good alternatives, especially if it’s a summer wedding.
Generally, black, brown and burgundy are the most popular shoe colours, and all go well with blue, navy, grey and charcoal. Universally, black is considered the most formal, brown is more casual and burgundy can add a bit of edge to your outfit.
We suggest pairing a black suit with black or brown shoes, as long as the brown shade is dark. With a brown suit, burgundy and brown are the best options but ensure the shade of the shoe is darker than the suit to create a clear contrast. For a suit that falls along the colour palette of beige - light brown and white shoes are perfect choices.
Finish your wedding suit with stylish accessories
The most important thing when it comes to your suit is making it your own, and what better way to do this than by personalising your look with accessories? Learn more about how you can complete your look…
How to pick the right tie
If you’re having a white tie or black tie wedding, you should wear a silk or satin bow tie. While a bow tie is customary for this dress code, you can certainly choose to wear one with a regular wedding suit as well.
For other formal weddings, burgundy and ivory are sensible colours, especially if the latter matches your future spouse’s outfit. Why not go for a foulard or striped pattern tie if you're feeling fancy?
Informal ceremonies call for skinnier ties that have a width of 6cm or lower. Opt for one in a pastel colour or simple patterns like plaid or checked. Choose a pattern that features at least one colour that coordinates with your wedding colours, for example, lilac.
Tying the knot in a colder climate? Then chic cashmere and wool ties will keep you warm. If you’re expecting a wedding in the sun, then you can’t go wrong with light fabrics like linen and cotton.
Pocket square or buttonhole
A pocket square adds sophistication to your outfit and must be worn in the breast pocket of a suit jacket. On the other hand, a buttonhole - also known as a boutonnière - is a floral decoration worn on the lapel of a tuxedo or suit jacket and is often seen at traditional weddings. Both accessories should go on the left-hand side of your suit jacket.
If your wedding is traditional, a popular option is a plain white pocket square. Otherwise, you can pick a secondary colour from your tie as the primary colour for your pocket square or go bolder with contrasting colours, like a navy suit with a yellow pocket square.
As for the buttonhole, stick to ones that can hold their shape all day without water, such as orchids, roses or carnations. Ultimately, the buttonhole should complement the wedding colour palette, so consider keeping the style and colour similar to the wedding bouquet.
If you decide to wear them simultaneously, allow both accessories to co-exist by choosing a small buttonhole, sticking to a simple pocket square fold and keeping the buttonhole higher than its counterpart.
Cufflinks
If your wedding is formal, cufflinks are a staple addition to your outfit. However, you have the choice to opt for them if your outfit is more casual, too. Consider a single-cuff, French cuff, or convertible cuff dress shirt - all of these can accommodate cufflinks.
You have many options of material when it comes to your cufflinks. Onyx is a classic for a traditional wedding. For casual ceremonies, why not consider mother of pearl or glass?
If you’re sticking to tradition, you’re more likely to play it safe by ensuring a monochrome look - for example, black cufflinks with a black tie, trousers and a suit jacket. However, if it’s more casual, feel free to be bolder by adding more contrast, such as wearing red cufflinks with a blue suit. Why not consider injecting some of your personality into your outfit with unique Paul Smith or Tateossian cufflinks? It’s your day, after all.
We would recommend making sure your metals match for a smooth finish. For instance, we’d suggest pairing gold cufflinks with a gold ring, belt buckle and watch.
Add a dress watch
A timeless watch is a great accessory to any outfit. A watch can be worn at traditional and relaxed weddings, but it should always match the suit and be plain, not patterned. You don’t want it to be louder than your outfit.
For the optimum level of formality, you should keep it simple by settling on a dress watch with a black leather strap and round watch face - brown is a good colour for a semi-formal outfit. Of course, you can always settle on a classic silver or gold watch if your wedding is a little less formal. Both colours go well with black or brown shoes, but it’s worth matching them to your clothes as well for a cohesive look.
If your suit is any shade of black, blue or grey then you’ll appreciate the sleek effect a silver watch will bring to your look. Or, if you’re wearing a forest green, brown or beige suit, then a gold watch would smoothly complement it.
If your wedding is more casual, you have a few more options at your disposal. How about considering a dive or chronograph watch? You can also choose a square watch face to add a bit more creativity to your attire.
Getting the right belt
If you’re thinking of wearing a belt with a tuxedo, hold that thought: the two historically don’t go together, but you can wear one with any other wedding suit.
As with other accessories, black is the classic go-to belt colour, and leather is the best material for traditionalists. Formal dress belts are relatively thin and sleek, between 1.25 and 1.5 inches wide. For a more casual wedding, consider dark and light brown shades with materials like webbing or vinyl. You can get away with wider straps for these occasions, so why not go for a belt with a width between 1.5 and 2 inches?
Style your suit with socks
Put your best foot forward with a pair of socks to suit your special day. Formal weddings call for simple socks covering the visible parts of your leg, even when sitting down. The perfect selection for a simple style would be crew socks. They’re also fitting as most of them are made from cotton or wool - which are sock materials we recommend for providing comfort, breathability, stretch and reducing any possibility of getting cold feet! Opt for dark colours for formal affairs and weddings during the colder seasons.
It’s a good idea to match the pair with your trousers - just ensure that your socks are slightly darker than your trousers, for example, by pairing a navy suit with midnight blue socks.
With a casual wedding, choosing to wear socks is down to you - it’s understandable to go without if you’re having a beach wedding. Or, if you’re wearing loafers, you may decide to pair them with invisible socks to protect your shoes and feet, such as trainer socks. Consider matching them to your tie or pocket square. For example, if you have a burgundy tie or pocket square, pick out patterned socks in the same shade.
Our favourite wedding suits
Choosing the best wedding suit is somewhat of an art form, but the ultimate end goal is to ensure you piece together an outfit that perfectly suits the story of you and your future spouse. We’ve provided you with a ton of information to help with this, but we think a few images will help bring this all to life. Take a look at our selection of some of our favourite wedding suits offered by House of Fraser…
Boss
Nothing screams ‘alluring attire’ more than Boss’s latest addition to its 3-piece range, the H Huge 3 Piece Suit. The waistcoat in this complete set adds an appropriate level of formality that is beautifully juxtaposed with the rich blue hue of the jacket and trousers. Note how the lighter-toned tie blends seamlessly into the shirt while simultaneously complementing all the other components of the suit. With everything perfectly matched the way it is, you’re guaranteed to make a striking statement.
Richard James Mayfair
Crafted from a soft linen-blend fabrication, the clean light grey nature of this Linen Two Piece Suit gently exudes a relaxed vibe. Although you can wear it for a formal wedding with a tie, the model pictured perfectly captures the impressive impact of keeping it low-key. We suggest pairing the set with a dark brown leather belt and matching shoes to round off the look.
Without Prejudice
Who could ever underestimate a winter wedding when this stunning Novello Suit by Without Prejudice exists? Bask in the warmth of wool as you take your place down the aisle in this fancy floral number. Ready to reach the optimum level of formality? Just add a black tie and master the monochrome look.
Hints and Tips
- The difference between a tuxedo and a regular wedding suit is the satin details you will find on a tux, e.g. satin buttons and satin-faced labels. Normal suits don’t have these details.
- You should pick out and buy your wedding suit at least six months before the wedding. Then, you and your groomsmen can attend your fittings three months before the big day.
- You can wear a tuxedo to your wedding, particularly if you have a black tie dress code, you’re big on tradition or you just want to go for a striking look.
- Consider adding braces to your suit - they go great with a tuxedo, a 2-piece suit and a 3-piece suit.
- Don’t wear braces if you’re also wearing a belt - this combo is a no-go.