Here’s everything you need to know about men’s spring wedding attire.
Stressing about what to wear to a spring wedding? Then you’re probably wondering what even makes spring weddings different from, say, fall weddings. (Spoiler alert: They’re not all that different.)
In most cases, spring wedding attire for men isn’t all that complicated. In fact, if you’ve attended a wedding before, then you already know roughly what to expect. You’ll need to consider specifics, but if you know what to wear to a wedding in general, you’re almost there.
What To Wear to a Spring Wedding (for Men)
When putting together spring wedding outfits, you’ll want to think about fabric weight, color scheme, and formality level.
Ultimately, everything will depend on the specific wedding you’re going to, so there are no definitive rules. (The one exception is a black tie wedding.)
But you should still think carefully about each of these three elements. That way, you can ensure that your spring wedding attire is both comfortable and appropriate for the event.
With that in mind, let’s dive into these factors one at a time.
Spring Wedding Suits for Men: Choosing the Right Fabric
To choose the right fabric for a spring wedding suit, think about what the weather will be like.
Statistically speaking, you’re probably going to be attending a May wedding. (May is the most popular spring month for weddings.) And — at least in the US — May is usually pretty warm. There might still be a chill in the air, but it’s not uncommon for May to have some toasty days.
(And, of course, this is all especially true if you’re going to a tropical destination wedding or a beach wedding.)
This means that a typical 3-season wool suit might be too heavy. Instead, you’ll want to go with lightweight fabrics like tropical wool, linen, cotton, or seersucker.
The fabric you choose will depend on your needs and preferences. There are pros and cons to each, so here’s an overview of what to expect:
- Tropical wool: Performs well overall but can be expensive (and isn’t very sustainable)
- Linen: Naturally breathable, but wrinkles easily
- Cotton: Durable and versatile but creases easily
- Seersucker: Extremely breathable, but the texture (and common patterns) aren’t for everyone
While the suit fabric is important, don’t forget about the suit’s lining. Polyester linings trap in moisture and heat, while some other materials, such as Bemberg, will keep you feeling comfortable and well-ventilated.
Be sure to try on a few different fabrics in person before committing to one. And if possible, also try on different weights of the same fabric.
Spring Wedding Suit Colors for Men
Once you’ve settled on a fabric, you can think about spring wedding suit colors.
Although spring is associated with specific colors, you can wear pretty much any color.
In fact, some typical springtime colors won’t work that well in this case. For example, olive green is a classic color for spring, but an all-olive suit is a bit of a statement.
That said, you might want to stick to lighter colors simply because they’ll keep you cooler. Dark colors absorb more heat, so opting for a lighter color will help ensure you don’t overheat.
Beige and medium to light blue are good all-around suit colors for spring wedding men’s attire. Grey is also a solid option, but it might read as more formal, depending on the situation.
If the wedding is more casual, you might be able to wear colors like pink or even light green. It’s often easier to incorporate bolder colors into your outfit by way of accessories. For example, a pink pocket square is easier to pull off than an entirely pink suit.
However, if the wedding is more relaxed and you know others will be dressing vibrantly, a bold suit may work. You have to feel this out a bit, and when in doubt, go for a more modest color.
You can absolutely wear a dark color if you want to, though. If you go this route, opt for a dark blue or burgundy suit.
Spring Casual Wedding Attire for Men
Next, consider the formality level of the wedding you’re attending. Wedding dress codes obviously have a big impact on what you wear, but you can’t consider them in isolation.
First, let’s look at more casual weddings.
If the hosts explicitly state that the dress code is casual, you’ll usually be fine to wear a tailored button-up shirt, slacks, and dressier shoes. (It’s very easy to look sloppy with this kind of outfit, so make sure everything fits you perfectly.)
A casual wedding is also one of the rare instances where you can pull off the suit with a T-shirt look. This is a little more appropriate for beach weddings, but it will likely fly at most casual outdoor weddings.
Even if the wedding has a casual dress code, I recommend avoiding casual shoes. Wearing
That’s not to say you should wear monk straps to a casual wedding. Any business casual shoe is a good pick here — it’s hard to go wrong with a casual derby or loafer.
Spring Formal Wedding Attire for Men
Spring casual wedding attire for men is relatively straightforward, but formal is a bit different.
If you’re going to a more traditional wedding that calls for formal wedding attire, take a more reserved approach.
However, the exact level of formality is important here.
In general, there are four major levels of formality when talking about spring formal wedding attire for men. In order from most to least formal, there’s black tie, formal, cocktail, and semi-formal.
Here’s a closer look at each formality level.
Black tie: If the invitation says black tie, wear a tuxedo (not a suit).
Formal: Formal often refers to a dress code slightly more casual than black tie. It’s often used as a synonym for black tie optional. In both cases, a well-tailored dark suit (think black or midnight blue) will usually work well.
Cocktail: Cocktail attire for men is more relaxed than formal attire, but it still usually means a suit and tie.
Semi-formal: Also called dressy casual, semi-formal is essentially the wedding equivalent of business casual. However, this dress code is trickier to nail.
It’s safest to wear a suit and tie, though you don’t have to dress to the nines. If the wedding is more casual, you might be able to get away with a dress shirt, tie, and slacks.
Again, these are just guidelines to consider when thinking about what to wear to a spring wedding for men. The best strategy is to do research on the dress code and take into account the specifics of the wedding.
TL;DR: Wear a nice suit and tie unless the wedding is a black tie, in which case, wear a tux.
Men’s Wedding Guest Attire (Spring Wedding Outfit Ideas)
Need some more direct inspiration for men’s spring wedding attire?
Look no further — here are seven spring wedding outfits to point you in the right direction.
Reliable Spring Suit
If you want something simple and reliable, consider a medium blue suit made from a blend of linen and lightweight wool. This is a great choice for most formal weddings. The medium blue evokes springtime, but it’s versatile enough to be worn in summer or winter.
(Pro tip: Get a three-piece suit. If the weather’s brisk, you can wear the vest, but if it’s hotter, you can go sans vest.)
Light and Dark
Blending light and dark tones is a good way to look dapper without overheating.
Here, the oatmeal jacket and white shirt keep things breezy, and the grey trousers up the formality a bit.
Springtime Elegance
A relaxed (but tailored!) linen suit is a fantastic choice for men’s attire for a spring wedding. You’ll look cool while staying cool, and you can style your look with linen’s unique texture in mind.
Nail the color scheme, and you’ll have a sharp outfit on your hands.
Bright Spring Colors
This is perfect if you’re going to a semi-formal wedding and want to embrace the springtime vibes.
Light, vivid colors help fabrics like linen and seersucker to really pop, allowing the texture to shine through.
Casual Suiting
Here’s another great choice for weddings that are relaxed but still call for a suit.
The tan jacket and pink OCBD contrast with the navy trousers, and the easygoing loafers round out the look. (You can also dress this one up a little by buttoning up the shirt and wearing a tie.)
Dressy Casual
For a dressy casual or semi-formal wedding, you can sport a refined take on the suit with a jeans look.
Try combining a tailored jacket and crisp Oxford shirt with slim, dark wash jeans to balance formal and casual vibes.
The Pink Suit
If you can pull it off, why not go for a pink suit?
It’s not for everyone, but this bold, laid-back look is ideal for a less formal springtime or beach wedding.
Final Thoughts on Men’s Spring Wedding Attire
Men’s wedding guest attire for spring offers a lot of possibilities (depending on the dress code, of course).
You can stay traditional, but you can also play around with color in ways you can’t during the colder seasons.
If you’ve got any trusty spring wedding outfits, share them in the comments!
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