There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and panicking about what to wear to a wedding. Not to be dramatic, but they’re all as bad as each other.
Why is wedding attire so dreaded, we hear you say? Because you are immortalised in the photos. Every year those overpriced images are dredged from the archives and strewn across social media for the masses to see, accompanied by sentimental captions like “Three years since me and the hubby embarked on the greatest journey ever”, followed by a series of nonsensical emojis. It makes us sick.
Your style is essentially catalogued on the internet, so you need to make sure your whole outfit is on point – so your children, your children’s children, and (most importantly) absolute strangers think you dressed absolutely fly as hell.
Here are the wedding suits, shirts, shoes and accessories to make sure your legacy is cemented in sartorial grandeur, not shoulder pads and winklepickers.
The suits
Percival, the contemporary menswear brand worn by the likes of Chris Evans, Tom Holland, and The Rock, has gone from strength to strength over the last few years, particularly with their collaborations, from rock ‘n’ roll jewellers The Great Frog to retro sportswear titans Champion. But their real flex? Tailoring.
For summer weddings, linen is your MVP. Lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking (though prone to wrinkling, so pack a steamer if you’re travelling), it’s perfect for sweltering ceremonies. Percival offers plenty of options in the fabric, blending premium quality with comfort.
In terms of colour, they’ve got your wedding failsafes of navy and cream, but we’re in brighter territory now. A forest green two-piece? Chef’s kiss. It does all the talking, letting you keep things clean elsewhere: white shirt, sage green tie (for that sweet tonal dressing moment), and black loafers to ground the look.
If you're into the fabric but want to keep it classic, Cos’s laidback navy linen suit is a winner. With its relaxed silhouette, it leans into casual cool — ideal for evening guests or beach-adjacent vows. Ditch the tie, throw on a Cuban collar shirt, and you’re golden.
Prefer something a little more structured? This double-breasted suit from Suit Supply in sandy wool hits that sweet spot between formality and summer-ready. Light colours have a higher albedo (yes, we’re bringing science into this), meaning they reflect more sunlight. Translation: less sweat, more style. If your armpits operate like the Louisiana swamp, leave the dark colours behind.
A fantastic suit from Percival that is in a colour that is very in this summer season.
This laid-back suit leans into casual cool — perfect for a beach wedding or one that's mainly outdoors.
Light colours reflect more sunlight so less sweat and more suave.
The shirts
Wedding dress codes have become less rigid in recent years, which means ties don’t always need to make an appearance — and your shirt gets to do a bit more of the heavy lifting.
The Peaky Blinders effect gave us some dodgy trends (we did buy a flat cap or two, that’s on us), but the grandad collar shirt is one relic we’re happy to keep. H&M has a solid collection, with our pick being the classic white in a soft weave. Cool, crisp, and surprisingly versatile.
If you want to lean into summer vibes, revere collars (aka camp or cuban collars) are still having a moment. Reiss does a textured blue stripe for a nod to Jude Law in the ‘90s iteration of Talented Mr Ripley, Phix has safari options with double pockets, Japanese streetwear giants Visvim goes full ‘80s in silk, and Sandro delivers a geometric moss green number that screams Miami beach wedding but in a very good way.
For the die-hard traditionalists who need a collar and tie to truly function, we salute you. And more importantly, we’ve got you. Alexander McQueen’s harness shirt is sharp, subtly detailed with a buckle, and has just enough elastane to keep things comfortable while you inevitably sweat/cry through Don’t Look Back In Anger on the dance floor.
A crisp whits shirt is a wedding staple and this one by H&M ticks all the boxes and then some.
Not traditional wedding attire, but perfect for evening when the sun is going down and the suit jacket is off.
Alexander McQueen’s harness shirt is suitably sharp and will keep you cool until way past wedding day afters.
The shoes
Derby shoes are the traditional wedding go-to, but in the summer months? It’s loafer time, baby. They’re breathable, sleek, and – most crucially – let your feet air out. Let them dogs breathe!
Duke & Dexter are the undisputed kings of loafers right now, offering everything from wild bespoke designs (think one-of-one exclusives) to slick ready-to-wear styles. Whether you’re into minimal monochrome, snake motifs, gold hardware, or rattan finishes, they’ve got a loafer for every foot and every level of attention-seeking.
Styling-wise, show them off. Cropped trousers or a slight turn-up do the job nicely. Sock-wise, white cotton is a reliable all-rounder, but if you're confident and the forecast is good, sockless is always on the cards. Just prep your ankles accordingly.
Duke & Dexter has some wonderful loafers. We are big fans of these minimalist masters.
If you prefer a bit more brown, then these Wilde Classic Penny Loafers are for you.
The rattan look is no longer just for outdoor furniture, it's a great loafer style, too.
The final touches
Accessories can make or break a wedding look, so don’t get lazy here. Remember, we’re in legacy outfit territory.
Ties and Pocket Squares: Although the indie sleaze trend might still be on the scene, skinny ties are not the one. Keep it classic and keep it chunky. A silk pastel or deep earthy tone will elevate things without clashing. Bonus points if your pocket square complements it without being an exact match (this isn’t your sixth-form prom).
This silk ties has a fantastic pastel hue that would pair perfectly with a white shirt.
Sunglasses: Sunglasses at a wedding can either scream “nominated for best actor” or “no ID, no entry”. No reflective lenses. No Oakleys. No exceptions. Stick to timeless shapes like the wayfarer in black, tortoiseshell or clear — think Persol, Oliver Peoples and Ace & Tate.
There is a lovely 90s nod with these frames. We are big fans of the rectangle look.
Yep, these are the ones that Kevin Costner in Yellowstone wore, so if you are after some cowboy chic, then these are for you!
These Ace & Tate clear framed sunglasses will match any outfit you throw at them.
Grooming: Not technically an accessory, but absolutely essential. If you’ve got a beard, invest in some beard balm to tame those hairs and get them pointing in the right direction.
Hair on your head? Go for a sea salt spray to add texture and volume without clagging it up. And please, don’t overdo the aftershave. There’ll already be enough people baptising the congregation in Joop. Instead, invest in a summer scent where a spray or two goes a long way, such as Le Labo’s Bergamote 22, a fresh citrus fragrance with a musky edge.
Got a beard? Then you need this balm to make sure your facial hair looks as slick as possible for the big day.
This spray is a quick and really effective in getting all of those tangles out.
Bergamote 22 is a fantastic fragrance full of grapefruit, amber and musk.
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