SUITING UP FOR YOUR NEXT WEDDING – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Let the wedding day celebrations commence!! A wedding invitation has landed through your letterbox and you can’t wait to party with your nearest and dearest.

While travel and accommodation – or even your speech if your the best man or father of the bride – quickly begins to fill your agenda, you’ll also be considering how you’ll suit up for the big day.

Naturally, there’s plenty to take into consideration, such as the time of the year, the location and any theme the bride and groom have planned. It’s entirely reasonable that these factors form a major part in your dress wear decision-making, but there’s lots for you to consider too.

We’ve teamed up with Suit Direct to create the ultimate guide to suiting up for your next wedding date.

First, let’s consider the fundamentals of men’s suits – the jacket, waistcoat and trouser – and there’s no better place to start than with a classic royal blue. Match all three items in a deep shade and pair with a gold tie and pocket square to create a timeless wedding look that will suit the majority of occasions.

Or mix things up with a red or burnt orange to create a more autumnal feel.

If your wedding date falls in the colder months then you may also consider the heritage tweed, which would be even better suited to a country setting. A green tweed with a burgundy tie and brown shoe works great, or experiment with a patterned tie and cool, pastel pocket square.

If you’re anticipating a more formal affair, and especially for any evening appointments, a tuxedo in black or midnight blue will help you create a sophisticated impression. To complete this look, a wing-collared shirt and bowtie are a must.

But if the occasion permits, dial back the formality and consider a mix and match by adding a check jacket to a plain trouser, or a check waistcoat to a plain jacket. Greys can be paired with blues to achieve a classic look – or consider mixing a navy and burgundy to offer a modern twist.

But the possibilities don’t end with your suit. While the classic white shirt remains a staple at weddings, the jacquard print is fast rising in popularity and helping to add a depth of detail to outfits.

If patterned shirts aren’t your thing then consider a pale blue, pink or pastel yellow to better complement your jacket and waistcoat. The tie and handkerchief can also inject contrast colour that helps bring a look to life, while your cuff links, braces, belt and buttonhole also provide opportunities to impress. But don’t be stifled by layers and accessories, because sometimes less can be more.

A crisp open collar is a practical, attractive option for the summer months, so don’t be afraid to roll things back, especially if you’re expecting warmer weather. You may even choose to ditch the jacket completely while ticking the formality box with a waistcoat and tie, or braces.

Whatever look you’re aiming to craft, from the classic jacket, waistcoat and tie, in blacks, blues and greys, to autumnal shades and stripped back styles, it’s likely you’ll find the layers and accessories to help you achieve it.