It can be tough to know what to wear to a summer wedding and add in the unpredictable British weather to make it even more complicated. But, it needn't be a chore to find a suit that can tick all of the boxes.
Whether you’re the groom or a guest, the wedding’s location, theme and the weather for the day can really influence your choice of outfit. With careful choice of fits, fabrics and more, our styling experts have rounded up their top tips for styling a suit for a summer wedding.
The suit
Picking your suit is all down to personal preference, but you’ll want to be in a suit that you’ll feel comfortable in — you will be wearing it all day, after all.
Summer weddings — whether they take place inside or outside — can often come with humidity and lots of heat. So, for warmer weather events, you’ll want to turn to materials like linen or cotton that are lightweight and breathable.
As a more general rule, lighter hues typically tend to lead to summer weddings. Think creams, light blues, beige and grey to keep cool in the heat. To make sure that your suit fits properly, you’ll need to consider how it’ll sit across your arms, shoulders and chest. A suit that’s too tight will pull across the back and stomach, while a suit that’s too loose or oversized can have the appearance of drowning.
Find your perfect suit with our expert guidance and explanation of suit fits and styles.
Linen suit
Synonymous with the summer weather, when you think of a wedding in the sun, you think of linen. Not only is it breathable, but it’s perfect for getting you from the church to the end of the night sweat-free and feeling fresh.
Linen suits provide the ultimate, relaxed look and in most cases, you can forego the traditional three-piece and instead opt for linen trousers with a matching blazer. Stick with lighter colours like beige and cream for a suave image that’s especially hard to beat.
Cotton blend suit
Wedding Suits — From £79
One of the most versatile choices, cotton suits allow you to have a refined yet casual look that’s summer friendly. In comparison to its linen counterpart, cotton is stiffer and doesn’t crease as easily which is why many grooms and guests favour this material.
While darker colours are typically the most popular choice with cotton suits, experimentation with lighter shades such as baby blues or even pastels can yield some splendid results.
A good tip to check if your suit is best suited for the summer months is to hold your fabric of choice against the sunlight. If you can’t see through it, then you’ll know that this fabric is most likely not best suited for warmer weather.
Woolen Suit
All Day Guest Suits- From £139
While the winter months are typically associated with thicker wool count suits, you can also make great use of woollen suits for warmer weddings in the summertime. Whether you’re a guest or the groom, you’ll want to make sure that your woollen suit has a higher super-wool count, which means that the fabric is finer, therefore, making it lighter.
Many wool-blend suits are made to be crease-resistant. This means that they’ll drape smoothly across the body and present a more streamlined look.
As a guest, wear a woollen suit with matching suit trousers and a crisp shirt, perfectly finished with a pop-of-colour tie and matching pocket square.
Summer separates
Destination Wedding Looks
A surefire way to stand out if you’re the groom, a contrasting dark and light separate combo is a winner for summer weddings. During the warmer months, consider opting for a lighter hue on the trousers — anything from stone, white, beige or cream will suffice — and a darker jacket to make the lighter colour pop.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to matching your footwear with separates, but, generally speaking, most traditional smart shoes will work.
The colour
The colour scheme of the wedding you’re attending can be crucial in deciding the colour of your suit. Whether it’s a ceremony in the countryside or in the city, lighter and bolder colours are more sought-after for weddings that take place in the warmer months.
Lighter hues
Evening Guest Style — From £25
Perfect for almost any summer wedding, a lighter tone can complement all colour schemes — from cream through to light greens and baby blues — making it a true statement item to have ready for any groom or guest.
These paler tones have the ability to be paired and interchanged with a wide range of both lighter and bold shades, so you’re sure to look dapper no matter whether you’re simply a guest or a groom taking the spotlight.
Bolder tones
Three Piece Suits — From £130
Taking a different route, bold tones are intense and rich in colour and typically appear visually striking. Brighter colours are standout enough so that they make a statement while still ensuring that you look smart.
Think bright pinks contrasted against whites for a striking look that’s sure to garner attention. If you’re unsure how to work out which colours are paired best together, read our guide to colour theory.
How to style a suit for a summer wedding
Whether you’re a groom, groomsman or guest it’s time to put your newfound summer suit styling knowledge to the test. At Slater Menswear, we have a huge selection of wedding suits that are suitable for any theme.
Head over to our style inspiration hub for more expert fashion advice.
