What to Wear to a (Modern) Summer Wedding

Words by Abigail Gurney-Read

If you’ve experienced a summer with a wedding every other weekend, you’ll know the conundrum of what to wear. In the UK especially, July to September are the most popular months for getting hitched – a surprise to no one who is familiar with the Great British weather. And while balmy climes and blue skies may make for the ideal wedding snaps, they can prove tricky if you’re a chap who wants to look smart without sweating it. Nowadays, a man’s wedding garb mainly falls into two camps: traditional and modern. Here, we’re very much in the latter. These are the looser dress codes, where often the distinction between the groom party and guest is nothing beyond a floral buttonhole. So, thinking ahead, here are three winning outfit ideas that will take the heat out of summer wedding season.

Mix and Match

‘Opposites attract’ is more than a snippet from the best man’s speech. At a modern wedding, there’s room to play with contrasting pieces. Your navy Ralph Lauren Purple Label blazer teams just as well with cream Canali trousers. As long as the cut of each separate is sharp and they’re of a similar fit – loose with loose, slim with slim – you’ll still look pulled together. If you decide to opt for a full suit, you can add a similar nuance through your shirt by introducing prints that bring a different shade into the mix.

There’s More In-Store

Find everything you need to prepare for the big day at Harrods, from bespoke alterations to luxury grooming services.

Crème de la Crème

While all the above can apply to groom and guest, this is definitely one for the main man only. If your other half is wearing white, consider coordinating with tailoring that says: I’m with them. There are numerous ways to introduce detail, whether it’s a pleated placket on your shirt or choosing a suit cut from floral jacquard. Brioni (pictured and available in-store) does it very well. Granted, this may be a departure from your usual look, but it’s your wedding – a little flourish is to be expected.