Weddings in 2023 have a completely different feel than they did just a few years ago. More and more couples are choosing to hold these celebrations in less formal venues that align with their interests, personalities, and preferences. Therefore, dressing for a man's wedding in 2023 can be quite a challenge. In this article, you'll learn how to dress for a wedding to look stylish and avoid making a faux pas.
Before I walk you step-by-step through the process of choosing the right outfit for a wedding as a guest, I'd like to draw your attention to the most important aspect of dressing for this occasion: quality. Men's wedding attire for 2023 shouldn't consist of a polyester suit, which, due to its shine, detracts from the overall elegance. It's also worth avoiding "fake" accessories, such as a pocket square on a cardboard box or a bow tie with an elastic band. High-quality clothing and accessories will certainly add a touch of elegance and make you feel comfortable. Therefore, when choosing each item, check its composition, stitching, and finish.
How to dress for a wedding for a man in 2023 - is a suit always the best solution?
It's the most versatile choice, and can be freely modified to incorporate your own style into your outfit and change its character depending on the occasion. Personalization and self-expression through clothing are a major trend in 2023, slowly becoming a must-have for every outfit, as we increasingly prioritize naturalness and transparency in our communication, which undoubtedly includes our clothing. You can read more about choosing the right suit in our post on how to choose a suit.
A navy or graphite suit is a great base for a men's wedding outfit. These colors also come in many shades, so it's worth remembering that the darker the suit, and therefore the greater the contrast between the shirt and suit, the more elegant it is. A wedding attire for a male guest shouldn't exceed the level of formality of the groom's. A black suit is suitable for evening occasions and funerals. If choosing a graphite or navy suit seems boring, you can choose a patterned fabric or a double-breasted jacket, add a vest in a different color, and play with accessories and elegant footwear. However, remember that a patterned suit with a double-breasted button closure makes it less formal, so if you're looking for a very elegant look, choose a plain fabric or one with a nearly invisible pattern. Suits with colorful stitching and piping are available on the market. These details will make the suit less elegant, versatile, and contemporary, so it's best to avoid these types of accessories. However, for an outdoor boho wedding, a brown or beige suit will look good, giving the entire wedding outfit a fresh look and subtly preventing it from being boring.
Look 1: Lavard suit, Zalando shirt, Peek and Cloppenburg tie, Pocket square, Brilu shoes, Gino Rossi belt, Zalando watch, MR INVISIBLE NUDE invisible undershirt | Look 2: Lavard suit, Pocket square, Pocket square, Pocket square, Brilu shoes, Gino Rossi belt, Zalando watch, MR INVISIBLE NUDE invisible undershirt | Look 3: Lavard suit, Zalando shirt, Pocket square, Pocket square, Brilu shoes, Gino Rossi belt, Zalando watch, MR INVISIBLE NUDE invisible undershirt
No suit for a wedding in 2023?
A variation on the suit theme is a coordinated set, consisting of different but matching elements such as a jacket and/or vest and trousers. This is a less formal choice, especially suitable for the increasingly popular outdoor weddings or weddings with a more casual feel. A coordinated set can be easily created by combining elements of a graphite and gray suit, or by purchasing separately, Urania, which will look cohesive together. For this style to be stylish, the suits or clothing comprising the coordinated set must be similar in style.
How to match a shirt to a suit?
Men's wedding outfits for 2023 can be constructed with a suit and a white shirt with cufflinks or with a classic button-down cuff. However, the former option is more elegant and will perfectly fit into wedding trends. A light blue or light pink shirt can be an alternative to white, but these colors are less formal. Choosing a colored shirt can make the outfit unique, yet still elegant. A patterned shirt can be an interesting addition to a men's wedding outfit. A micro-pattern will be slightly more formal, while a slightly more visible pattern (e.g., stripes) will be less so, but it can make the outfit feel different (such a shirt will complement a less formal suit). When choosing a shirt for a suit, in addition to the cuffs, it's worth paying attention to details such as:
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the texture of the material - a smooth shirt is more elegant, while a delicate fabric texture can make the styling more interesting,
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sleeves - short-sleeved shirts can only look stylish in holiday outfits,
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collar - it should be stiff and properly matched to the bow tie or tie, a shirt with a button-down collar (with visible buttons) suits less formal styles,
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button placket - a covered placket is more elegant compared to the classic one, which is also suitable for suits with a medium degree of formality. At this point, it is worth remembering to avoid contrasting threads and buttons that take away the elegance of the shirt,
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no pockets - a formal shirt for a suit should not have pockets because they make it look informal,
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no decorations in the form of colorful stitching, which takes away the formal and timeless character of the whole
Regardless of the type of shirt, it is worth wearing a Mr Invisible T-shirt underneath, so that the skin will not show through, which is an undesirable effect in men's elegance.
Look 4: Lavard jacket, Zalando trousers, Zalando shirt, Wólczanka tie, Pocket square, Brilu shoes, Gino Rossi belt, Zalando watch, MR INVISIBLE NUDE invisible men's undershirt | Look 5: Zalando jacket, Zalando trousers, Zalando shirt, Pocket square, Bytom pocket square, Brilu shoes, Wojas belt, Zalando watch, MR INVISIBLE NUDE invisible men's undershirt | Look 6: Lavard jacket, Zalando trousers, Zalando shirt, Wólczanka tie, Pocket square, Brilu shoes, Gino Rossi belt, Zalando watch, MR INVISIBLE NUDE invisible men's undershirt
Dress shoes and their alternatives - how to choose?
Men most often choose Oxford shoes to wear with a wedding suit. This is, of course, a good choice, as this style complements suits of varying degrees of formality. The color is crucial here. Black, of course, works well with both a very formal suit and a slightly less elegant version, but dark brown shoes are a more interesting and modern option, especially pairing well with less formal suits, but not with black or very formal outfits. Men's wedding outfits with a less elegant suit also look stylish and fashionable when paired with brogues (shoes with an embossed pattern on the front), monks (shoes with buckle fastening), and loafers (leather slip-on shoes, a type of moccasin). The next edition of the Pitti Uomo 2023 trade fair will take place soon - the most prestigious event for men's elegance in Italy, where fashion enthusiasts often choose these specific shoe models, so when choosing men's attire for a wedding, pay attention to these suggestions as well.
It's also worth mentioning socks, which also influence the final look of the outfit. Socks are most often matched to the color of the trousers, and suit socks should be long enough not to expose the leg when sitting. Of course, colorful socks with patterns can also add variety to a wedding outfit, but this is only appropriate for less formal attire and when done skillfully to ensure that this element harmonizes well with the overall look.
Look 7: Zalando suit, Zalando shirt, Peek and Cloppenburg tie, Pocket square, Brilu shoes, Gino Rossi belt, Zalando watch, MR INVISIBLE NUDE invisible men's undershirt | Look 8: Zalando suit, Zalando shirt, Pocket square, Pocket square, Brilu shoes, Gino Rossi belt, Zalando watch, MR INVISIBLE NUDE invisible men's undershirt | Look 9: Zalando suit, Zalando shirt, Bytom tie, Pocket square, Brilu shoes, Gino Rossi belt, Zalando watch, MR INVISIBLE NUDE invisible men's undershirt
Men's wedding fashion 2023 - how to use accessories to express your style and change the character of the entire outfit?
The saying "the devil is in the details" aptly describes the possibilities offered by numerous suit accessories, such as a watch, belt, pocket square, cufflinks, and a tie or bow tie. The most visible accessory in a men's wedding outfit is the tie or bow tie, which sits close to the face. A bow tie complements formal suits, tuxedos, frock coats, and morning suits. A tied bow tie looks best; its color and pattern should match the suit. Like the bow tie, the tie should complement the rest of the outfit. A navy blue tie, which pairs perfectly with a white pocket square (a handkerchief tucked into the breast pocket, also matching the bow tie), is the most elegant choice.
The way you tie your tie is also important. The four-in-hand tie, due to its asymmetry, is slightly less formal and adds to the overall appeal. The half-Windsor tie, on the other hand, is a classic style that works better with formal suits and men with wider faces. The texture of the tie also reflects the elegance of the entire look; a smooth finish complements more elegant suits, while semi-matte and matte ties pair well with less formal suits . The pocket square and the tie or bow tie should not be made of the same material (or color). A tie/bow tie and pocket square with an interesting pattern and color can transform a wedding outfit into something more fashionable and stylish. An interesting arrangement of the pocket square in the breast pocket also influences the overall look of the entire outfit. The pocket square can be folded in a classic rectangle, leaving a small 1-2 cm wide stripe sticking out of the pocket. This pocket square arrangement suits more formal styles, while a more informal arrangement with the four corners protruding or a puffed arrangement (with the corners pointing downwards and tucked into the breast pocket, leaving only a small portion of the square exposed) is more appropriate. Cufflinks should match the color of the clock face and, optionally, the belt buckle. Silver and gold cufflinks are the most versatile.
To coordinate well with the rest of your outfit, an elegant trouser belt should be a similar color to your shoes and leather watch strap, and have a simple, classic buckle. Avoid automatic buckle belts for these occasions. A watch that complements a suit has a simple case and dial, and a leather strap.
As you can see, many factors influence the final look of men's wedding attire for 2023. A suit doesn't have to be boring; just play with color or pattern, or add an interesting and unconventional detail that will give the whole look a unique character and allow you to express yourself. If the nature of the wedding allows, you can also choose a coordinated outfit, which is an interesting option that aligns with 2023 trends. The most important thing is that you look neat and elegant on the day to express your respect for the occasion and to avoid overshadowing the groom, who should stand out among his guests.
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