They say your in your 30s your whole life gets taken over by weddings or baby showers—and that couldn’t be more true for this writer. The minute I turned 30, a slew of pregnancy and engagement announcements came flooding in from all sides from both friends and family members. Suddenly, one’s entire summer can be taken over by watching happy couples walking down the aisle followed by dancing the Macarena with your friends second-cousin from Cleveland.
Not that I’m complaining. It’s just that summer weddings, in particular, require extra planning in advance. My main stress isn’t over who to bring as a date, or what to buy from the couple’s registry: It’s what to wear.
Vogue’s Guide to Men’s Summer Wedding Essentials
Banana Republic tailored slim-fit suit jacket
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Ralph Lauren Purple Label round cuff links
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Dressing for a wedding requires more extensive thought than your typical evening event, after all. There are certain things you can’t wear—bridal white being an obvious one—and other things you shouldn’t wear, like sandals (yes, even if it’s a beach wedding). Couple this with my upcoming weddings taking place in the summer, where scorching temperatures are an important factor to consider, and finding that comfortable (yet stylish!) look poses a serious challenge.
Luckily, I’ve had months to ponder these sartorial conundrums, so you don’t have to. For any men who are attending weddings this summer, there are certain looks you can depend on for a looke that perfectly balances looking appropriate and dressy—plus it won’t upstaging the groom. I should know: I’ve spent weeks deep-diving into the world of men’s summer wedding attire, trying on different looks in a quest to figure out my own dos and don’ts for wedding guest fashion. So, below, see six foolproof tips to consider for your next big event. Because who doesn’t want to watch the couple say “I do” in style?
Below, a guide to nailing men’s summer wedding attire.
Never doubt the navy suit
A suit is always a foolproof option for a wedding. Since the groom is usually wearing a tuxedo or a black suit, you’ll want to stray away from these super-formal styles. Let him shine! Instead, a classic dark navy suit—either single- or double-breasted—will always look elegant and appropriate. Pair it with a white button-up shirt and black or brown dress shoes. If the wedding venue is outdoors, consider a suit in a lighter fabric (like linen or cotton) to offset the darker colorway. Yes, it will be slightly toasty under the sun: Suck it up, the day’s not about you.
