Style – How to Dress for a Summer Wedding
The summer wedding season is well and truly upon us, but whether you’re looking forward to the plentiful food and alcohol or dreading the boredom of church proceedings, one thing’s for sure; you’ll want to display your sartorial prowess and tailoring know-how. Given the heat that is generally associated with summer though, you’ll want to remain comfortable and that’s where lightweight, breathable fabrics come in. Our guide will help to point you in the right direction, ensuring you’ll look your very best during this rather tricky time of year., Of course, you won’t want to out-shine the groom though, so as you might have been able to surmise, deciding how to dress for a summer wedding can be a tricky prospect indeed.
THE SUIT , When it comes to suiting, fit is of course key, and this is no different in the summer. This Gieves and Hawkes number is a traditional take on summer suiting, but the details ensure it’s contemporary enough. Best suited for a wedding in the city, this suit is constructed of a linen and lightweight wool blend, giving it a soft texture that is as pleasing to look at as it is to touch., , Gieves and Hawkes Brown Houndstooth Single Breasted, £895 from Gieves and Hawkes
Depending on the dress code, a good way to add creativity to your summer wedding outfit is to go with separates. As summer weddings tend to be less formal, mixing up the top and bottom half of your suit can really make you stand out, for all the right reasons. The nature of this Richard James double-breasted blazer ensures it retains some formal connotations, but its soft shoulder and unstructured finish means it’s far from stuffy. Pair it with these faintly striped, seersucker trousers and you’re guaranteed to be the best-dressed guest.
, Richard James Unstructured Linen and Silk Blend Blazer, £595 from Mr Porter, Richard James Cotton Seersucker Suit Trousers, £285 from Mr Porter
For those of you lucky enough to be invited to a beach wedding, a bold, coloured suit may do just the trick. This Hardy Amies example comes in a perfectly seasonal duck-egg blue, and made of an unstructured cotton-twill, it will keep you from feeling the heat – perfect for that weekend away. Pair it with a crisp, open-neck white shirt and neutral suede loafers and you’ll make a stylish statement that the ladies won’t forget in a hurry.
, Hardy Amies Unstructured Washed Cotton Twill Blazer, £350 from Mr Porter, Hardy Amies Cotton Suit Trousers, £120 from Mr Porter
THE ACCESSORIES , For summer weddings – especially those abroad – it is generally acceptable to go without a tie. If you want to go with a neckpiece though, a classic knitted tie would be a fine option, especially in a subdued colour like navy or deep burgundy.
, Drakes Finest Silk Knitted Tie, £95 from Drakes
Going with a solid-coloured tie will also allow you to add a pop of colour with your pocket square, giving your suit another point of interest and making you look every bit the dapper gent you are. A printed handkerchief like this Paul Smith one is perfect., , Paul Smith Floral Print Cotton Pocket Square, £30 from Paul Smith
As we are talking summer weddings here, it would be criminal to forget the shades. You can’t go wrong with classic styling and these Barton Perreiras will suit most face shapes., , Barton Perreira, £370 from Matches Fashion
THE SHOES , More formal, patent leather shoes should generally be avoided for the summer wedding, as they are just too stuffy when the sun comes out. Much like suiting, material is the key to success so opt for seasonal suede and nubuck, wherever possible. These monk straps by John Lobb will suit the strictest of summer dress codes and their colour is extremely versatile., , John Lobb William Suede Monk Strap Shoes, £735 from Mr Porter
Leather is more than a viable option though and these penny loafers are a stylish way to complete your summer wedding suit. They are comfortable too, ensuring you can dance the night away until the small hours., , Sebago Classic Penny Loafer, £99 from Sebago
Falling on the least formal end of the spectrum, these canvas derbies are a great alternate option. They are constructed from a breathable canvas material, and boast a lightweight rubber sole making them extra lightweight., , Grenson Spencer Canvas Derby, £170 from Grenson
By Charlie Thomas Twitter charlieacthomas
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