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Don’t panic, guys. We’ve been there, too. After deciphering the lovely, pseudo-handwritten font used on the butter-crème papyrus-looking stationary, you realize someone you know is getting hitched at location X and time Y. Then, you reach that second-to-last line: “Please dress in the hipster formal style.” What?
Wedding attire is a funny corner of fashion that’s constantly trying to break out of its shell, but at the same time is limited by the gravitas of the situation for which it’s intended. Here are a few things to know about the various forms of wedding dress, as well as some fashion suggestions for all matrimonial occasions.
The Last Suit You’ll Ever Wear
Remember that scene in Men in Black where Will Smith gets all decked out in his MIB suit? That’s you before a wedding. Having a few well-fitted suits in your wardrobe — we suggest black, grey and navy — will get you 90% of the way there for most weddings.
You’ll never look underdressed in a suit, which is good because being underdressed at a wedding can be seen as a sign of disrespect. Remember, you’re here to celebrate the wedding party — dress for them, but not identical to them.
Formal, Semi-Formal and Black Tie
For our more traditional “codes,” that suit is exactly where you’re going to go. Pair your suit up with appropriately-colored leather shoes — never sneakers — and select your various undergarments according to the weather and occasion.
You can throw in a vest, pocket square or bow-tie for an upscale look. This is appropriate for a formal or “black tie optional” occasion. If the invite says, “black tie,” you’re wearing a bow tie — end of story. For less formal settings, learn how to tie a presentable Full Windsor knot.
Semi-formal parties allow you to ditch the traditional tie if so desired and experiment with something like a different colored blazer or more outgoing sport shirt. “Cocktail” keeps the formalities of the jacket and tie, but embraces brighter-colored or patterned shirts, ties and vests.
Casual and Quirky Dress Codes
Many couples are getting creative with their dress codes these days, which can make it a challenge to know whether your choice of clothing is appropriate. Here’s a hint: wear a suit. Yeah, it’s back to that, but a few necessary tweaks will ensure you won’t feel stuffy or uncool.
For example, if you’re attending a summer wedding, you could pair a tan linen blazer with a stylish silk guayabera shirt, slacks and dress shoes or fancy boat shoes. The lighter weight material is crucial in the warm climate. Beach and summer wedding occasions typically allow you to ditch the tie and accessories. For outdoor ceremonies in cooler weather, choose a wool jacket to stay warm and look fresh.
We’re never fans of wearing jeans to a wedding, but if you see a “casual” dress code and want to push the envelope, it’s being done these days. We suggest checking with the bridal party if you’re really on the fence about something. Other creative new takes on dress code include “Brooklyn formal” or “hipster formal,” which encourage a little more character than the traditional formal dress and reward vintage-inspired apparel.
“Farmy” style weddings are also becoming popular. Think ranch-inspired formalwear and allow the scale to slide toward the less formal side based on how rural the setting is. “Denim and diamonds” lets you break out that fancy pair of jeans, but make sure you’re rocking some bling and a blazer up top — and don’t forget the belt.
As you see, most wedding combinations are just a variation on the same old theme. Color inside the lines and you’ll be comfortable enjoying yourself. Remember, it’s much easier to dress down than add to your outfit while you’re at the wedding — that could get weird.
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Photos provided by author.