A Guide to Men’s Summer Wedding Attire for Grooms and Guests

Even if peicing together a stellar occasion outfit comes relatively easily to you, things aren't always as black and white when it comes to men's summer wedding attire. The warmer weather typically leads couples to opt for slightly more relaxed dress codes, meaning you've got a bit more wiggle room when it comes to fabrics and colors—even at more formal affairs. So if you've been itching to play up your look with linen and seersucker suiting, bright shades and statement shoes, now's the time. But if you aren't sure where to start, don't fret. Whether you're suiting up to get married or trying to figure out how to dress for the destination wedding that's quickly sneaking up on your calendar, we've put together a guide to everything you need to know about summer wedding attire for men.

In this article:

• What Is Men's Summer Wedding Attire?
• Male Summer Wedding Attire by Dress Code
• Summer Wedding Outfits for Men

What Is Men's Summer Wedding Attire?

Before you start running wild with your 'fit moodboard, keep in mind that summer wedding outfits for men require some of the same consideration that your typical wedding outfit would. This means it's still important to keep the wedding venue and dress code in mind and ensure that you're dressing appropriately for each. A classic suit, a jacket and tie and a simple shirt and dress pants will all still be great outfit options depending on the formality of the affair. That said, this time of year lends itself to breezier fabrics and lighter suit colors that you likely wouldn't reach for during a fall or winter wedding.

Men's Wedding Guest Attire for Summer

When it comes to men's wedding guest attire, one of the most fail-safe outfit options for any season will always be a suit in a timeless color. But for a ceremony taking place in the summer—especially outdoors—you'll want to opt for a lighter-weight fabric like cotton or linen. If the dress code is a little more laidback (like "daytime cocktail" or "garden party") you can also have some fun with your summer wedding suit by choosing lighter colors like blues, pinks and greens and even fun prints like florals and stripes. And if a suit feels too stuffy for the dress code, you can opt for the classic shirt, pants and tie combo for your male wedding guest attire, still leaning into the same fabric and color rules.

Groom Summer Wedding Attire

As the groom, summer wedding attire for men can feel even trickier. While you'll want to follow the same guidelines that apply to guests, it's likely you'll also want to stand out given that you're the guest of honor. A full suit in a lightweight fabric will still be a great option for groom attire of many dress codes, but consider choosing one in a vibrant color, light-hued neutral or summery pattern. If you're tying the knot on the coast or in a backyard and want men's outdoor wedding attire that's more laidback and breathable than a suit, you can definitely ditch the blazer. Don't underestimate the power of a classic dress shirt or trousers for your groom summer wedding wear, as well as the chance for statement-making accessories like your shoes, tie and cufflinks.

Male Summer Wedding Attire by Dress Code

Even though the rules surrounding what guys wear to a summer wedding are a bit more relaxed than other seasons, the dress code will still play a major role in the direction your outfit goes. Whether you're heading to a chic estate or relaxed backyard affair, here's how to decipher the wedding dress code for guys when it's summertime.

Summer Formal Men's Attire

Formal wear for men can feel relatively simple until summer comes around. While a classic tux or dark-colored suit are a no-brainer for this dress code during other seasons, unless the ceremony is in the evening or at a five-star hotel, both of these options might feel like a bit too much. Step one? Don't stress. Remember that wearing a tuxedo is typically considered optional for a formal wedding, so if doing so will make you feel overdressed for the time of day or venue, opt for a lightweight suit instead. For a summer formal wedding, you can still opt for a dark color like navy, green or chocolate brown but lean into lighter fabrics like linen or cotton. To play up the summery vibes, top off your look with seasonal accessories like a floral pocket square or brightly colored tie. And of course, you'll want to stick with traditional dress shoes here.

Men's Casual Summer Attire

The big thing to keep in mind for men's casual summer wedding attire is that you don't need to wear a suit. If you want to err on the dressy casual side, you certainly can wear one—but we recommend buying a suit in a lighter shade or fun texture like seersucker. You can also dress your suit down by ditching the tie, swapping your typical button-down shirt with a white t-shirt or knit polo, and choosing sleek leather sneakers or espadrilles instead of dress shoes.

For those that don't want to go the suit route, you've still got plenty of options when it comes to casual wedding attire for men. For example, a trendy knit polo with linen trousers and loafers feels laidback but still looks sharp. And if the wedding is on the extra casual side or takes place outdoors, you might consider a dress shirt with embroidery or a fun, floral or tropical print.

Summer Wedding Outfits for Men

Whether you're looking for men's wedding guest outfit inspo or trying to find the perfect groom summer attire, we've got you covered with all that and more. Ahead, take a peek at some of our all-time favorite outfit formulas when it comes to menswear for a summer wedding, from full suits fit for formal affairs to laidback yet polished combos for even the most casual ceremonies.

Dark Navy Linen Suit

Unless the dress code is black tie, a navy suit will almost never steer you wrong as a summer wedding outfit for male guests and grooms alike. While a classic wool fabric is still a great choice if weather permits, you can make your look feel more summery by choosing breezy linen instead. A white dress shirt will layer perfectly underneath it, but a blue-striped version is just as formal and a little more fun. Add black dress shoes and a black belt to top off the look—and don't forget a tie if the wedding dress code is formal.

Photo: Bonobos

Photo: Brooks Brothers

Photo: J.Crew

Classic Dress Shirt and Olive Green Linen Pants

For casual and semi-formal weddings, you can't go wrong with a classic white dress shirt and trousers for your men's summer wedding guest attire. Give the look a summery spin by choosing pants in a fun color, like this olive green option from Bonobos. And don't feel tied to traditional dress shoes—espadrilles or polished white sneakers will make for a seasonally appropriate ensemble that perfectly suits a more casual dress code.

Photo: Suitsupply

Photo: Bonobos

Photo: J.Crew

Light Blue Linen Blazer and Seersucker Pants

If you're looking for men's wedding guest attire (or groom attire!) for summer that feels less fussy than a suit but more polished than a jacket-free ensemble, meet somewhere in the middle with a summery blazer and pants. We love the look of a light blue linen blazer atop a light blue dress shirt, especially when paired with off-white linen or seersucker pants. Add sleek black loafers and a matching belt for a foolproof summer wedding look for guys.

Photo: Suitsupply

Photo: Proper Cloth

Photo: Jos. A. Bank

Photo: Banana Republic Factory

Striped Knit Polo and Relaxed Navy Chinos

Casual men's wedding guest attire for summer calls for something laidback but still polished, which is where your knit-polo-and-chinos combo will come in handy. We love the playfulness of this textured, striped option from Todd Snyder, which pairs perfectly with flowy navy linen trousers. This outfit option is especially great for summer weddings in hot weather, and you can keep things feeling laidback and breezy with a minimalistic pair of tan suede slip-on loafers.

Photo: Todd Snyder

Photo: Quince

Photo: Tecovas

Neutral Linen-Blend Suit

Whether you're searching for summer wedding outfits for grooms or guests, a linen-blend suit in a light neutral shade is an excellent choice. This pick is perfect for a cocktail dress code, which calls for something polished and put-together but doesn't necessarily mean a dressy dark suit. Layer a white linen dress shirt underneath and top off the look with a pair of medium brown oxfords, and you've got a sharp summer wedding look for guys—no matter their role in the wedding.

Photo: Abercrombie & Fitch

Photo: Quince

Photo: DSW

Summery Shawl-Collar Tuxedo

While black-tie weddings are a little less common in the summer, they do still exist. Whether it's an elegant affair on a hotel rooftop or an evening celebration at a country club, you're going to need a tux. You can opt for a traditional black wool option, but something in a lighter shade—like the blue shawl-collar option below from Indochino—can make things feel a bit more seasonally appropriate. You can also find tuxedos in lighter-weight fabrics like linen and cotton blends, and if you're the guest of honor looking for summer groom outfits, you might even consider one in white or ivory. Finishing your look with a pair of slip-on loafers, rather than shiny black dress shoes, can also make the look feel more summer-ready.

Photo: Indochino

Photo: The Tie Bar

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Photo: Nordstrom