Lucky for you, if you’re attending a summer wedding, chances are the event you’re going to won’t require that much formality. When most men think of a wedding they immediately imagine getting dressed up in a black or midnight blue suit, or in some cases, a tuxedo.
The weather also plays a major role in most wedding dress codes for men. When the weather is going to be approaching 100 degrees at an outdoor ceremony, black suddenly isn’t one of the best summer wedding colors for men. Even if you don’t love weddings, sweating through your suit isn’t one of the ways you should suffer through it.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of the top five summer wedding colors for men. Some are bolder than others, while some are better for more traditional ceremonies. No matter what kind of wedding you’re attending, one of the colors on this list will serve you well.
High Blue
High blue is a color that somehow embodies the summer months while still making you look and feel stylish. If you’re not quite sure what high blue means, it’s one of the shades of blue that is unadulterated by other hues. If that still doesn’t work for you, think of a suit that falls right in the middle between baby blue and midnight blue.
To wear your high blue suit, pair it with a crisp white shirt and a bold, vibrant tie. Something with a vintage-style stripe or a micro-dot is perfect in many cases. You can also wear a darker tie if you’re attending an event in the evening and you want to give yourself a slightly more sophisticated look.
Having a high blue suit in your wardrobe will also make it a go-to for any spring or summer occasion where you need a suit but you don’t need to be too formal. High blue really is one of the hot colors of the season, and it’s been that way for the past few years.
Cream
Cream is a summer classic when it comes to wedding colors for men. You’ll often see both the men getting married and the men attending the wedding, both wearing this suit color. While we don’t recommend wearing the same suit color as the groom, we still think cream is an excellent choice for male wedding guests.
Men attending a more formal summer wedding should keep it simple when it comes to the shirt and tie that they pick. If you want to make your cream suit a bit more exciting for a traditional ceremony, opt for a colorful pocket square or lapel flower.
If the wedding you’re attending is a bit more free-spirited, go ahead and wear a unique shirt and tie combination. This year, we’d recommend sky blue or rusty reds with textured cotton ties.
You’ll have a little bit of an old-time look, but in a completely modern, thoroughly updated way.
A photo posted by GQ Mens Fashion (@gqmensfashion) on Mar 12, 2016 at 7:27am PST
Khaki
Khaki suits are vastly underrated by many men these days. Often written off as boring or simply relics of a time when guys had to wear suits every single day.
When you go for khaki, you’ll have a look of refined elegance while maintaining the overall feel of the season. Pair your khaki suit with a blue or white shirt and a pair of cuff links and you’ll look like you just stepped off a movie set.
Just like with cream suits, you can spruce them up and make them a bit more colorful if that’s what your wedding calls for. Lapel flowers, printed silk pocket squares and accessories like tie clips and cuff links are the perfect accompaniment to a basic khaki suit.
A photo posted by Men’s Suits Inspiration (@mensuitsdaily) on May 20, 2016 at 9:42pm PDT
Red
If you follow the world of men’s fashion, you know that red is a color that’s really having a moment right now. Even if you don’t love the idea of wearing bright red, adopting the trend for a summer wedding could be just what you need to stand out from a sea of men in more traditional suits.
While bright red is an excellent choice when it comes to summer wedding colors for more casual ceremonies, it may not be appropriate for very traditional summer events. In that case, choosing a more subdued berry or brick color is a better idea. These suits also draw a little bit less attention to you, so if that’s something you’re worried about, they might be a better bet for long-term wear anyway.
If you choose a bright red suit, go for a crisp white shirt and a basic tie. In fact, you might even think about going tie-less for this one – if the wedding is a bit more lenient with the dress code. If not, keep that tie on.
Men that go for a darker suit should accessorize with similarly sultry colors. Oxblood, earthy shades of taupe, black and printed black or dark blue ties – think black or dark blue with micro-dots or an abstract pattern – work best.
A photo posted by Men’s Lifestyle & Gear Guide (@hommesworld) on Jun 17, 2016 at 3:04pm PDT
Heather Gray
Not every guy can pull of red as one of his summer wedding colors. While we think confidence is really the key to bold colors, we also know that not every guy has an interest in those. If you’re looking for something a bit more basic, heather gray is one of the best summer wedding colors any guy can pick.
The lighter cousin to the charcoal suit – a standby every single man should have in the closet – the heather gray suit is formal enough for almost any summer event, but it won’t make you look like you didn’t have anything else in the closet. At least not if you buy the right suit.
When shopping for a heather gray suit, pick something made of a lightweight material. Tropical wool, wool blends and even cotton are all excellent choices. If you can find gray linen, you might just have found the perfect summer suit for every occasion.
To look your best in a heather gray suit, pair it with a crisp white shirt and almost any tie you like. Black will look excellent for formal events, but a blue and red neon stripe could be just what you need for a wedding that’s less formal.
Finish your look off with silver or gun metal accessories. A pair of cuff links or a tie bar can make a simple heather gray suit look like a million bucks.
A photo posted by GQ Mens Fashion (@gqmensfashion) on May 19, 2016 at 10:01am PDT
