Wediquette Wednesday: Should I wear a gray, black or tan suit to my niece’s wedding? (2024)

FAQs

Wediquette Wednesday: Should I wear a gray, black or tan suit to my niece’s wedding? ›

Gray is slightly more casual and black is slightly more formal. Tan, as well as seersucker and linen are all appropriate for an afternoon, outdoor wedding, but not for a church wedding beginning at 5:30 p.m., with a reception extending into the evening. Once nightfall hits, tan will look out of place.

DO. Wear a dark suit or tuxedo: For a formal wedding, dark suits, such as black, charcoal grey, or navy blue, are most appropriate. Wear a bow tie or necktie: Unlike with black-tie attire, a bow tie is not required. You may wear a bow tie or necktie.

Yet most beach weddings are what we call “beach formal”- meaning they are possibly at a beach-front resort or a more formal affair. For this, we recommend lighter colors or some with simple texture, like our tan or café brown suit.

Navy and grey suits are common, however lighter natural tones (such as cream, stone and pale blue) will help set you apart from other guests; especially if you have medium or dark skin. A beige two-piece suit is an excellent option, teamed with a crisp white shirt and suede made-to-order loafers.

Leave all white, ivory, and champagne-hued shades alone, unless the invitation specifically designates an all-white dress code. "White and ivory are such a stark, prominent color that when you are the only one, as the bride, wearing it, all eyes are on you," says Avrumson.

Shade of the Grey Suit

Charcoal Charisma: Dark grey suits convey formality and are excellent for formal occasions. They pair seamlessly with black shirts, creating a classic and timeless aesthetic. Opt for a two-button or three-button design for a versatile and flattering silhouette.

Since nuptials are celebratory occasions, the dark hue was labeled off-limits for attendees in the past. However, in today's modern-day age, wearing black to a wedding is completely acceptable, and in many cases, it's even encouraged.

Safe Choices

Navy, black, and charcoal grey fall into the “safe” category – all ideal for an evening wedding or one that has anything from a formal to an informal dress code. The only time these colors look out of place is when worn to an event where lighter colors are expected.

The tan suit is the stylish work horse of warm weather fashion. It can be accessorized, deconstructed, dressed up, dressed down and transformed to fit any said or unsaid dress code. The most important three events you'll need a tan suit for are: Business Events, Weddings and Dates.

Neutral shades are timeless options that won't detract from the wedding's formal atmosphere. For a more colorful look, consider wearing shades of blue, lavender, or pink to show that you're in the celebratory spirit. If the wedding is in a tropical destination, opt for colors like yellow, orange, and green.

What color suit should officiant wear? ›

What to Wear to Officiate a Formal, Traditional Wedding? Classic black or navy suit with a crisp white shirt and a coordinated tie or bowtie. Tailored tuxedo paired with a formal white shirt, bowtie, and cufflinks.

Top Tips for Wearing a Grey Suit

If in doubt, wear a white shirt and dark tie with your suit. A pale blue shirt is particularly great for summer weddings. Black shirts are best for formal events – especially at the weekend.

Navy suits

Navy is the most popular men's suit color, hands down, making up 50% of all suits. It makes sense, as the colour navy represents power and authority — both traits one wants to feel when they wear a suit. That's why navy is known as the presidential suit color.

Steer clear of off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, cream, or any other super light color that could be mistaken for white. There are so many dress options available in a variety of hues, so steering clear of these shades should not be a major issue.

In some cultures, black is less common for weddings. "Certain cultures, such as Indian and Chinese cultures, tend to stay away from black because it represents being in mourning. You want to take an extra thought if you are attending a more traditional wedding to be respectful," says Avrumson.

Blush or nude is pink or beige. Both are traditionally completely appropriate colors for women to wear to a wedding. The dress in the photo is not white. People really do need to get a grip.

Black Tie Optional Guidelines

Suit: Even though it's optional, a black tuxedo is acceptable. For men who wish to opt for an alternative, a dark coloured suit that is either black, dark grey, and navy blue is also acceptable. A perfectly fitted suit is encouraged.

There is nothing against wearing a white suit, however, it's best to stick to classic colours, like navy, grey or brown, as you don't want to pull attention away from the bride and groom. This is especially true if the best men have decided to wear light grey or white suits and you're not part of the bridal party.

Because it is timeless and formal, black is the color of choice for weddings. It's simple to match it up with the majority of color combinations. Black is also a versatile color that fits with everything.

Rich and earthy colours such as reds, cream and greys work best with a black suit as they complement well and rarely clash. With a black suit red tie the most popular and classic option for most gentlemen.