HEADING TO A SUMMER WEDDING?

Summer is upon us, and with it (hopefully) comes warmer weather. While we love the sunshine, those higher temperatures can make wearing a suit a bit uncomfortable.

Enter linen, your best fabric friend when you need a summer suit that’s light and breezy. Go with a neutral brown or grey suit if you’re keen to wear brighter accessories, or take it up a notch with a brighter, summery blue. If the wedding is somewhere that’s seriously hot, think about something in a lighter fabric like a linen suit.

Going to a wedding location somewhere hotter than the UK? Consider pairing your linen suit with a linen shirt for an extra breezy look, or take some tips from our guide on what to wear to a destination wedding. Our guide to summer suit fabrics has everything you need to choose your ideal warm-weather suiting style too.

Black tie can be challenging at the best of times, but when the invite stipulates this specific dress code, it’s best to be respectful and not ignore the request – it’s been made for a reason. You can always go with a full tuxedo, but there’s no reason you can’t get a bit creative and choose something that’s slightly more special.

A velvet jacket in a jewel tone keeps with the black-tie code, but its unexpected hue adds that hit of personality you might be looking for. Pair it with classic black tuxedo trousers and a silk bowtie to let the jacket take centre stage.

If it’s going to be really warm, invest in a tuxedo crafted from lightweight linen to keep you cool. Our take is blended with Sorona fibres, helping with stretch and crease resistance.

Smart casual might sound a little vague, and that’s because it sort of is. It’s an opportunity to essentially wear whatever you like, as long as it’s tidy and fits well.

You can definitely go for more of a laid-back look, here – think no tie and a shirt with a fun, colourful print. You can still go a bit more formal with a waistcoat, but balance it out with your shoe choice. Crisp, white trainers or even a pair of suede ones are a great way to dress your favourite 3-piece suit down.

A city-based wedding calls for a bit more of a fashion-forward look, if you’re game. A summer suit in a bright colour or a punchy pattern is a great way to take a calculated risk and still look put together. To tone it down a bit, pair your statement-making suit with a simple shirt and muted accessories.

It’s important to pay attention to the dress code here too, though, as well as the location. If the invite says black-tie or semi-formal, make sure you’re abiding by those requirements. And, if the location is a five-star hotel ballroom or an upscale restaurant, better to play it a bit safer with something more traditional.

Nothing creates a romantic atmosphere quite like a British countryside wedding, especially in the summer. Compliment the surroundings with a summer suit in an eye-catching, on-trend pastel hue. If you really want your look to feel summery, opt for floral accessories in contrasting shades.

Again, it’s important here to pay attention to the location and any required dress codes. If it says formal, as some countryside weddings are, opt for a morning suit. But, you can still have fun with a brighter waistcoat and some snappy accessories, so don’t be too afraid to take some risks.

If you’re keen to wear a suit you already own, we get it. But if you think it needs a bit of a refresh for a summer wedding, there are a few small things you can do to brighten it up, especially if it’s grey or navy suit.

Go with a floral tie in a shade that will pop against a more neutral shirt, like red or royal blue. If you want to keep it more casual, opt for an unexpected shirt style like a polo underneath your suit. And for shoes, choose something in a warmer tone that will keep the overall look light and seasonally-appropriate.

If you want to add a bit of texture to your look, grenadine ties are a great option. Crafted from Italian silk and woven using traditional techniques, the open grenadine weave is a nice contrast to a smooth cotton or flannel.