Dresses & Accessories

The Perfect Looks for Any Season and Time

Does your guy have no idea what to wear to your wedding? Then use this season- and time-based primer as a jumping-off point.

Tradition, tradition. Though your fiancé and the male members of the wedding party need not feel too hemmed in, use this formalwear primer as a jumping-off point for creating their looks.

Daytime Informal

WINTER

• Dark business suit, navy blue blazer with khaki trousers, navy blue blazer with cream or white flannel trousers


• Plain shirt with four-in-hand tie (a.k.a. standard long necktie)


• Plain coordinating shoes

SUMMER

• Light-colored suit or navy blue blazer with khaki, white or cream linen trousers
• Plain shirt with four-in-hand tie
• Plain coordinating shoes

Daytime Semiformal

• Black or dark gray sack coat, gray waistcoat
• White pleated shirt or soft white shirt with standard four-in-hand tie
• Plain black shoes

Daytime Formal

• Black or gray morning coat (cutaway) with black- or gray-striped trousers and gray waistcoat
• Starched white shirt with turndown collar and a black-and-gray striped tie or dress ascot
• Gray gloves
• Black patent-leather dress shoes

Evening Informal

WINTER

• Dark business suit or tuxedo, depending on bride’s level of formality

SUMMER

• Navy or light-colored business suit or tuxedo, depending on bride’s level of formality

Evening Semiformal

WINTER

• Tuxedo

SUMMER

• Tuxedo or white dinner jacket with formal black trousers
• White pleated shirt with turndown collar
• Black vest or cummerbund and matching bow tie or cravat (a short, wide tie)
• Black patent-leather dress shoes or plain black calfskin shoes

Evening Formal

• Black tailcoat and trousers
• White pique waistcoat
• White starched-bosom shirt with wing collar
• White bow tie
• White gloves
• Black patent-leather dress shoes