Men’s Style Tips: How to be the best dressed wedding guest (pt. 1)

Wedding dress codes can feel like a minefield and knowing how to interpret them – what appropriate socks to wear – only adds to the stress of being well-dressed. Thankfully, celebrity stylist Gareth Scourfield is here to translate the wedding dress codes and offer his top tips on being the most dapper guest, no matter the rules.

1. Black Tie

Gents, firstly please always look at the invite. You don’t want to be the guy that missed the dress code and gets it wrong.

For a black tie wedding, I would actually suggest a midnight navy dinner jacket over black. It has a subtle richness to it. Pair with a bow tie and a Marcella front dress shirt. Always avoid wing collar shirts. These are for a white tie or as a distant memory of past university summer balls. Pair with a punchy pair of socks – mustard or a brighter blue work well. 

2. Lounge Suit

This means a formal suit is called for, but that is not necessarily your work suit. Unless you’re spending a lot of time outdoors (again, check the invite), go for a lightweight fabric. Super 120 wool is ideal. A pop of pink or turquoise with your socks and some brown shoes will round off the look with stylish confidence.

3. Suit Colours

I’d start with navy for a classic British wedding but a nice mid-blue can also give a great foundation for the rest of your outfit (ruby red socks would be my choice). For spring and summer weddings, dove grey to light charcoal are good alternatives, while for those that want to stand out a bit, a brown or tweed suit with classic navy socks will guarantee style points.

4. Matchy matchy?

Generally speaking, you can’t go wrong with a formal two- or three-piece suit. However, the rise of the blazer means there is a whole new realm of dashing alternatives to traditional, especially if the invite indicates that this will be a less formal affair.

It is important to look for a contrast though. Never try to match your blazer to your trousers. Pair a navy blazer with grey wool or stone cotton tailored trousers. And if you go for a double breasted blazer, keep it slim, not too long in the body and not loud in pattern or colour.

Need some more wedding season style advice? Check out the second article in this series with Gareth Scourfield, where he offers more handy hints on some unmissable style details.