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When you're invited to a wedding one of the first things you will ask yourself is "What should I wear?" There are different levels of dress and each requires a different level of attire. This article will tell you everything you need to know.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Casual

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When you hear the word casual, most guys immediately think "jeans and t-shirts". This is not true. When it says "casual" it means smart casual (dress smart but not formally).

  1. Dress pants are okay, although jeans are not acceptable.
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  2. Especially if you are going to tuck in your pants.
  3. Loafers are good too. You don't need to be matchy-matchy: contrasting leathers and even ombre-dyed oxfords are also very stylish.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Business Casual

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This is a step above casual.

  1. [1]
  2. You can get away with no tie but it's recommended to wear one if you have one available.[2]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Semi Formal

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This is quite formal but not fully.

  1. A gray or cream color with a tie is better for daytime weddings, while a darker color suit is better for nighttime.[3]
  2. If you can't get access to a suit, then at minimum you should wear casual business attire with a blazer/sports jacket, dress pants, and a button-down shirt.
  3. [4] This is typically expected, but not always, so don't hesitate to reach out to the person who invited you for more clarification.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Black Tie

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  1. These days people do wear a black tie but a bow-tie is better. You cannot wear anything less than a tuxedo. If you don't have one, rent one.[6]
    • The pocket square you wear with a tuxedo should be white and worn in a flat fold of puff fold.
  2. This is black tie, except you can change the color of your tuxedo, tie, etc. if you want to. So that means it doesn't have to be black and white.[7]
    • If you are invited to a white tie wedding, congratulations! White tie consists of a black tailcoat jacket, full white waistcoat, wing-tipped collared dress shirt, self-tied white bow tie, and patent leather dress shoes. This is your only choice. You cannot wear anything else.
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How Do You Dress For a Wedding That You’re Attending?


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  • Question
    What should I wear for a daytime wedding that is in a Quinta (Garden) outdoors?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If it's more casual, wear a pink or baby-blue button-down shirt and khakis, preferably with some loafers. If it's dressy, wear a grey blazer with a pink or baby-blue shirt, and dress shoes.
  • Question
    Should my boys wear a blue or brown belt if wearing navy pants, a pink shirt, a navy bow tie and brown shoes?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Belts should match the shoes, so if the shoes are black/brown belts can be too
  • Question
    I am wearing a black suit and shirt to a wedding. Which color bow tie, excluding red and white, should I wear?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    A basic black or gray tie is always a good look but if you know the color scheme of the wedding ahead of time, you could always choose a tie to match that.
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About This Article

LaTricia Brown
Co-authored by:
Master Tailor & Creative Director
This article was co-authored by LaTricia Brown. LaTricia Brown is a Master Tailor and Designer and the Owner of Trish B. Stylin' based in the Savannah, Georgia metro area. LaTricia has over a decade of experience including bridal design, men's and women's clothing design, and fashion show directing. She has a BFA in Fashion with a minor in Accessory Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). LaTricia has worked with W Magazine in New York City and has assisted with the personal styling of P. Diddy. She has also assisted the development of Sean John's 10-Year Anniversary Collection and appeared in the filming of Diddy's "If I Were King" Documentary. This article has been viewed 215,863 times.
4 votes - 75%
Co-authors: 14
Updated: October 13, 2024
Views: 215,863
Categories: Wedding Clothes
Article SummaryX

It can be tricky to figure out what to wear to a wedding, but if you know the dress code, it should be easier. If it’s a casual wedding, try wearing a polo shirt of short-sleeved button-down tucked into a pair khakis. Throw on a pair of loafers or dress shoes to complete the look. If the wedding is a bit more formal, you’ll want to wear a 2-piece suit. It’s best to wear lighter-colored suits for daytime weddings and darker-colored suits for evening weddings. Don’t forget to wear a tie. If you’re going to a black-tie wedding, wear a black tuxedo, a white dress shirt, and a black vest and bow tie. To learn how to strike a good balance between casual and formal, read on!

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