Men's Wedding Style Guide

Whether groom, best man, father of the bride, or a guest, dressing for a wedding can be a sartorial minefield. Read our definitive wedding style guide for our expert insight into precisely what to wear this season, no matter your role on the day. #CharlesTyrwhitt #WeddingStyle

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The most special day of your life should also be one of the most stylish. Here’s a guide to doing your better half proud in the wedding season style stakes.

As well as being one of the happiest days of your life, it’s worth remembering that your wedding day is one of the most photographed days of your life too. There’s no sense in skimping on style, and your partner won’t thank you for it come the big day.

The first decision to make is whether to wear morning dress or a suit. Of course, there’s no right or wrong here; really it comes down to how formal you’d like to be. Morning dress brings with it a sense of occasion, and can’t help but impress. A black lightweight wool tailcoat, buff or sky blue double-breasted linen waistcoat, and striped morning suit trouser are truly timeless, and will match with a shirt and tie in all manner of different colours and patterns.

If in doubt, a dark blue two-piece suit will never fail you. Trust us – you’ll feel confident and look effortlessly sharp. It’s a timeless look too, which helps with the wedding snaps. While a solid colour tie is a safe bet, wedding style has become more relaxed in recent seasons, so an open collar shirt will look equally chic. In our opinion, nothing beats a crisp shirt under a suit; allowing you to inject some colour into the outfit with your accessories.

Above all, choose something you’re comfortable with. This day is a celebration, and your style shouldn’t detract from you enjoying yourself.

MASTERING MORNING DRESS

Morning dress is one of the oldest and best-loved choices for a polished wedding and it pays to understand the dress code’s nuances. Your tailcoat should fit snugly in the shoulders like a conventional suit jacket, and the tails should fall to the backs of your knees.

We cut our morning coats in a classic fit with all the ‘correct’ features, like peak lapels and a panelled back, so there’s no need to worry about getting the details right.

THE BIG DAY BUYS

Luxury 140s Twill Shirt - White

now $75

$75 Multibuy price

now $0

Evening Silk Pocket Square - White

now $35

$27.50 Multibuy price

Knot Cufflinks - Silver

now $109

Patent Oxford Shoes - Black

now $259

Luxury Italian Suit - Dark Navy

now $799

Silk Spot Slim Tie - Light Coral Pink

now $0

Mother of Pearl and Onyx Evening Cufflinks - Silver

now $119

Spot Print Pocket Square - Ink Blue

now $19

Leather Oxford Brogue Shoes - Black

now $259

More than the host with the most, the best man at any wedding should also be one of the the sharpest dressed guys in the room.

Here’s a truism for you. The role of best man should extend well beyond organising a stag do and making a rip-roaring speech. The groom will no doubt expect you to take his big day very seriously – and that extends to the suit, shirt, tie, and finishing touches you wear to celebrate with him. Plus, with the watchful eyes of the wedding’s guests fixed on both of you all day, you’ve got every reason to be one of the ‘best’ dressed men in the room.

Of course, you should be led by the groom’s outfit, and while you ought to look sharp you also shouldn’t out-dress him. If he’s wearing a morning dress, find out what he’s gone for and choose a similar morning suit that won’t stand out next to his. If he’s wearing a three-piece suit, stick with a two-piece suit and let him steal the show – it’s his moment, after all.

We recommend choosing a suit with some texture or a subtle pattern to it, rather than the plain blue or grey that you might wear to the office. Tan or Prince of Wales check suits are a smart option here. Don’t skip on a tie unless the service is very relaxed. Again, something in a classic colour with a fine pattern will complement almost any suit and shirt you choose. We usually advise that a pocket square should harmonise with your tie rather than match it; but since perfect matches are the order of the day, we won’t stop you this time.

Remember, you're there to support the groom, but also to make him look good. And dressing the part will be appreciated by both him, his partner, and their guests too.

GOING LOOPY

All Tyrwhitt suit jackets have a certain traditional tailoring detail: a flower stalk loop on the back of the lapel. This handy little thread lets you keep a flower or two in your lapel buttonhole securely in place. And what better day to sport the botanicals than a wedding?

You can draw inspiration for your flower choice from all sorts of places – the bride’s bouquet, the colour of your tie, or the time of year, for instance. But if in doubt, choose a simple white bloom that befits the season.

THE BIG DAY BUYS

Pindot Travel Suit Jacket - French Blue

now $299

Non-Iron Twill Shirt - White

now $129

$74.75 Multibuy price

Paisley Silk Tie - French Blue

now $29

$29 Multibuy price

Enamel Fleur-de-Lys Round Cufflinks - Navy

now $89

now $0

Non-Iron Twill Shirt - Sky Blue

now $129

$74.75 Multibuy price

Whale Print Tie - Navy & Sky

now $0

Leather Oxford Shoes - Tan

now $259

Dressing for the most exciting (and nerve-racking) day of your child’s life is no easy feat. A thoughtful approach to the finishing touches in your outfit will be appreciated – and one less thing on their mind.

One of the proudest moments in a father’s life calls for a suit with real gravitas. A two-piece cut in a lightweight summer fabric is the safest place to start; whether classic grey or dark blue wool pindot, or something in cotton or linen. While it’s doubtless tempting to pull a power suit that you already own from your wardrobe, it’s best to avoid formal pinstripes for a wedding – these are more closely associated with business dress.

With your suit taken care of, there are a few things you can do with the rest of your look that will be appreciated. First, ask about the wedding’s colour scheme. If there’s a particularly special colour, perhaps work it through your outfit – whether in the tie or pocket square.

In the same breath, it’s best to choose accessories that are in keeping with the rest of the groomsmen’s outfits, with a slight twist that will make you stand out. Remember – you have your own distinct role to play on the day, and your style should reflect that. If there are groomsmen wearing plain burgundy ties, yours could be a similar shade with a print or another colour running through it.

A soft white shirt will always look crisp at a wedding, but a powder blue shirt works just as well. If the wedding is formal, black lace-up Oxford shoes are appropriate with either blue or grey suits. More casual weddings may call for dark brown or tan shoes or even loafers, but Oxfords remain the traditional choice.

CANVASSING SUPPORT

At Charles Tyrwhitt, all our suits are made with a canvas constructed chest piece. If you’ll let us get technical for just a second, this is a traditional tailoring technique whereby the jacket’s chest is sewn with a lightweight piece of canvas, which builds a three-dimensional shape into the suit. The canvas sits between the outer cloth and the lining, and is designed to mould to your body as it’s worn.

It takes more time to craft canvased jackets than entry-level tailoring, but it makes for suits that look better, last longer, and are far more comfortable to wear. All things we think are pretty important for you to feel at ease this wedding season.

THE BIG DAY BUYS

Twill Business Suit - French Blue

now $0

Non-Iron Poplin Shirt - White

now $129

$74.75 Multibuy price

Silk Tie - Burgundy Red

now $55

$45 Multibuy price

Knot Cufflinks - Gold

now $109

Ultimate Performance End-on-End Suit - Charcoal Grey

now $649

Luxury 140s Twill Shirt - White

now $75

$75 Multibuy price

Cotton Pocket Square - White

now $20

Leather Oxford Shoes - Black

now $259

Getting dressed for a wedding should be a pleasure, never a chore. Choose a suit that speaks to your personality, or invest in some sophisticated separates.

The most important thing for any guest to keep in mind is that a wedding is a chance to let loose a little. Your outfit should make you feel good, and improve a day of festivities. Forget your office suits, or that blazer you keep in the wardrobe for interviews. Wedding tailoring can look and feel quite different to the business suiting we’re all used to wearing day-to-day.

First up, fabrics for autumn weddings can be more luxurious than those you wear to the office. A jacket or suit made in a super fine Merino wool adds texture, and a windowpane check brings the style; finishes that separate your outfit from something more plain you’d wear to work. An oatmeal coloured Prince Of Wales check suit will feel cosy in cooler weather; this is a chance for you to express your personality and enjoy wearing a suit that’s a little different. For a look you can’t go wrong with, stick to a silver-grey wool two-piece for understated, sharp style. Give it a lift with a printed silk tie or pocket square.

Separates are also more than acceptable for smart-casual weddings. A light-coloured jacket will work well with inky blue or navy trousers. For those autumn weddings, opt for a lightweight wool pair that will breathe but also keep you warm. Smart chinos also work well. Pair a classic light brown pair with a check navy blazer, or dark green trousers with a slate grey jacket for something a little different.

TYING THE KNOT

Men often make a common mistake in tying their tie; they go for a thick, chunky knot that’s anything but flattering. Remember that a tie knot is just that: a knot. Plus, a smaller, neat-looking tie knot will both flatter and frame the face. We prefer a four-in-hand tie knot, and as the name suggests, there are four simple steps to get it just right.

1
Loop your tie right over left, with the thin end of your tie on the left, falling to just above your belly button.

2
Pull the right (wide) end of your tie back beneath the slim left side. Then loop back over the front and to the left.

3
Pull the wide end of the tie up into the neck loop from underneath.

4
Finally, tighten the knot by pulling down on the tie’s wide end. Slide the knot up and adjust into a snug, neat shape.

The old guard on Savile Row have an easy trick to remember the four-in-hand knot. The wide end of the tie goes “once around the tree, and down the hole”.