You’ve been invited to a wedding and you’re excited to put an outfit together for the big day. While you would normally wear a suit or tuxedo, the invitation asks you to dress casually. This is great news because now you don’t have to button up with a bow tie for the occasion, but what is the alternative? What is casual wedding attire for men? Read on to learn what you should and should not wear.
What Is Casual Wedding Attire for Men?
Casual wear for a wedding ranges from too casual to not casual enough. You have to get it just right to dress appropriately at the wedding. While you can plan to ditch the suit coat and more restrictive clothing, several factors will play into your appearance.
The Location
If you’re not familiar with the location of the wedding, look it up and become familiar with it. This will largely help you determine what to wear.
For example, if the wedding is on a beach, casual attire might include the least amount of clothes possible, such as trousers and a collared shirt. If the wedding is in a chapel, you could throw a blazer on over your shirt for a slightly more formal casual look. A wedding at the ranch could constitute wearing a bolo tie and cowboy boots, and if the couple is tying the knot in the mountains, a more rugged casual style is probably in order.
The Season
Consider the time of year when the wedding is. This affects the colors, fabrics, and styles you will use for your outfit. For example:
- Spring should include lighter colors and fabrics that are suitable for the occasional rainstorm.
- Summer outfits will typically be more colorful with breathable fabrics for the heat.
- Fall wear might include a scarf and more muted, darker colors.
- Winter clothing will be darker, heavier, and insulated, depending on the location.
Some of this semi casual wedding attire for men is interchangeable, and the weather will also play a role. If the couple is getting married at the end of September, which is technically fall, but the weather is still summer-like, you could probably get away with wearing colorful, breathable, summer clothing.
The Wedding Party
Do a little digging around to find out what the wedding party is wearing. Most often, the style of the groomsmen can help to determine the course you should take for casual wedding attire. If the groomsmen are wearing baby blue suits with a white shirt and flower tie, you can ditch the tie and the suit coat and wear similarly light colors.
If the groomsmen are wearing dark trousers and a coordinating button-down shirt with no tie, you are probably safe to go one step less casual with a colored polo shirt and coordinating trousers. In any case, never wear the same colors as the wedding party because they should stand out in the crowd.
What Is a Casual Dress Code for a Wedding?
When it comes to men’s casual wedding attire for guests, sometimes it’s nice to have the code laid out for you. Following these tips, you’ll hit the nail on the head at nearly every casual wedding.
Your Shirt
You can’t go wrong with a light blue or white button-down collared dress shirt. Other colors work as well, but only if you have considered the location, season, and wedding party. Linen is a nice fabric for spring or summer, and a cotton-polyester blend works well any time of the year.
A polo shirt might be appropriate, but only if the location is particularly casual as well, such as the beach. Avoid rayon or polyester polos because they are too similar to a golf uniform.
Top Layers
If the weather calls for it, you can layer your top. For example, a light, unlined jacket goes well with a plain-colored button-down or polo shirt. If it’s going to be chilly, a sweater over your collared shirt is casual, nice, and comfortable.
A tie is another layer that isn’t necessary in casual attire but you can add it for fun. Because it’s a casual dress code, you can choose a less formal tie you don’t normally wear, such as a knit necktie. Go ahead and loosen it up. There’s no need to keep it tight and uncomfortable when you were invited to stay casual.
Your Pants
Casual wedding attire for men almost always includes wool or linen pants. Chinos and suit pants are also appropriate, even if you’re not wearing the jacket that goes with the suit. If you do opt for suit pants without the jacket, be sure they’re not overly formal looking. If you tuck your shirt into your pants, be sure to wear a belt that matches your shoes.
Footwear
Almost any dress shoes are in the code for casual wedding attire for men. Look at black and brown options to decide which goes best with the outfit you have put together. Loafers are a great option for a casual wedding and might be more comfortable than your dress shoes.
How Casual Is Too Casual for a Wedding?
You do not want to show up to your casual wedding in an outfit that’s too casual. To make sure this doesn’t happen, there are certain things you should always avoid unless they are explicitly named as appropriate in your invitation:
- Shorts
- Denim
- Flip flops
- T-shirt or tank top
- Sneakers
It should also go without saying that no man should show up to any wedding without a shirt or shoes on.
Get Ready for the Big Day With Casual Wedding Attire for Men
You have several options when it comes to dressing casually for a wedding. Whether you have some ideas in mind already or need some help, it shouldn’t be hard to put something together before the big day. To learn more about casual wedding attire for men, or to get some ideas for groomsmen gifts and bachelor parties, Rugged Standard has you covered. Check it out!
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