Suit Up For The Big Day: Choosing The Perfect Wedding Guest Color (2024)

FAQs

What is the best color suit for a wedding guest? ›

Navy and grey suits are common, however lighter natural tones (such as cream, stone and pale blue) will help set you apart from other guests; especially if you have medium or dark skin. A beige two-piece suit is an excellent option, teamed with a crisp white shirt and suede made-to-order loafers.

To bring a bolder statement, go for brighter colors like magenta and coral. If you're attending a wedding in the evening, there are certain colors that can help you look your best and make an impression. If you're looking for something classic and timeless, dark colors like navy blue or black are always appropriate.

Be Upfront from the Beginning

This gives guests time to find an appropriate outfit or bow out if they're not able to follow it. List it next to the dress code. For example: “Formal attire requested. Please wear shades of blue.”

“The wedding is casual, so please feel free to wear whatever you'd feel best in!” “The wedding is semi-formal, so we encourage you to wear co*cktail attire [for evening events] / Sunday best [for daytime events].” “The wedding is formal, so we encourage you to wear black tie attire.

Navy suits

Navy is the most popular men's suit color, hands down, making up 50% of all suits. It makes sense, as the colour navy represents power and authority — both traits one wants to feel when they wear a suit. That's why navy is known as the presidential suit color.

The Best Suit Colors for You

Black and grey suits look great on everyone, although they can be a bit formal. Navy and light grey are perfect for weekends and when you want to be casual. By choosing the best suit colors for you, you can always make sure you look your best.

Women wedding guests should wear full-length dresses, be it a ballgown, a sheath or an A-line dress. High heels are strongly recommended. Feel free to accessorize with opulent jewelry and even elbow-length white silk gloves.

Semi-Formal: For daytime weddings, women can wear a knee-length or midi dress, while men can wear a lighter-colored suit. For evening events, opt for darker colors and more formal attire. Dressy Casual: Women can wear a casual dress or separates, while men should wear dress pants with a collared shirt and blazer.

As long as it's not considered culturally inappropriate or against the dress code, you can wear black to a wedding. Depending on where the couple is exchanging vows, which season their special day is taking place in, and what time of day everything begins, black may or may not be your best color option.

Can a wedding guest wear the same color as the bridal party? ›

There are no hard-and-fast rules for guest attire, at least beyond what the formality of the occasion itself dictates. If you feel up to it, you could ask the bride (or one of her attendants) what she thinks -- she actually might love the idea of having some of her guests coordinate with her theme.

Lizzie Post, host of the podcast Awesome Etiquette from the Emily Post Institute, says that no guest should ever feel embarrassed if they happen to wear the same color as the bridesmaids, but they can ask in advance what the colors will be if they're concerned about it.

USE THE CORRECT DRESS CODE WORDING

Gentlemen know what to wear if the invitation states “white tie,” “black tie,” or “black tie optional.” Ladies take their cue from the level of formality the “tie” code defines. “White tie” is the most formal category.

: a set of rules about what clothing may and may not be worn at a school, office, restaurant, etc.

You could put something like the dress code for the day is................... or we would kindly request that the guests refrain from wearing purple as this is the bridal party colours.

What Do Men Wear to a Formal Wedding? Pick a dark, but not black, suit. 2-piece is ok, but a 3-piece is very suitable too. Charcoal, navy, gray, and midnight blue are fantastic.

For men, a suit would still be expected but feel free to wear a fun textured tie with a matching pocket square. If the wedding is more casual, you can skip the tie. Other factors to consider are the venue location and the season the wedding is being held.

Most of the time, it's totally fine to wear black to a wedding. But there are instances when it's an absolute no-no. Even though you've been saving that stealthy suit for a special occasion, it's important to understand that sometimes it's just not, well, suitable.

Can a Male Guest Wear Black to a Wedding? As a general rule, it's fine for a male guest to wear black to a wedding, unless the wedding is going to be exceptionally informal - black suits read as more formal than the same suit in blue or grey.