Semi-Formal Wedding Attire For Men: What to Wear?

Many men ask, what should I wear to a semi-formal wedding? This particular dress code can be confusing and is often misunderstood. Should you wear a suit? Is a tie mandatory?

The semi-formal dress code is a balance between formal wear and casual. To achieve this balance, you won't wear a tuxedo nor will you wear a polo and chinos. Since the semi-formal dress code can be one of the most confusing, we'll help you navigate various semi-formal wedding scenarios that will ensure your ensemble is just right. 

Understanding Semi-Formal Wedding Attire

Whether you're the groom, a groomsman, the father of the bride or groom, or a wedding guest, if the invitation requests semi-formal attire, it's important that you understand exactly what you should and shouldn't wear.

A semi-formal dress code differs from a formal or black-tie dress code in that it allows you to dress with more flexibility and personal expression. You won't need to adhere to the strict rules of a formal dress code. But you won't wear clothing pieces that are strictly casual, such as jeans paired with a henley.

Essential Elements of Semi-Formal Wedding Attire for Men

The Suit

A suit is the essential core of semi-formal wedding attire; however, a blazer or sport coat and contrasting dress pants can take the place of a suit for weddings held in the daytime, the summer, or at a more casual venue.

Suits worn for semi-formal evening weddings should be in dark, fine fabrics. Daytime suits can be less formal, lighter in color, or even patterned. Find quality suits for every occasion and time of year at The Tie Bar. 

• Lighter colors of linen, cotton, and seersucker are comfortable and breathable fabrics for warm summer weddings. For spring and summer weddings, choose fabrics in lighter colors.
  
• Wool and cashmere will keep you toasty for cool fall and cold winter weddings. Select your suit, blazer, or sport coat in darker colors such as navy blue, charcoal, or maroon.
  

The Shirt

A crisp white dress shirt always adds elegance and polish to a suit. However, you can also go with a light blue or pastel colored dress shirt for semi-formal wedding wear. A dress shirt in a small-scale pattern such as a micro dot or micro stripe will add interest to your suit, especially when you add a contrasting tie and/or pocket square.

Whichever type of shirt you choose, make sure of a proper fit. A blousy, baggy shirt or a shirt that's too tight will certainly detract from your look.

The Tie

You may ask, do I need a tie for semi-formal wedding attire? The answer depends on several factors:

• Wear a tie if the wedding will be held in the evening or if the venue is a more formal site, such as an upscale country club or a ballroom. 
  
• Skip the tie if the wedding will be held in the daytime or if the venue will be at a rural site such as a meadow, farm, or beach.

You have leeway when choosing a tie for a semi-formal wedding. Leave the regimental stripe and typical business ties in your closet and go with a more colorful or patterned silk tie.

Shoes and Accessories

Shoes

Some men overlook the importance of how shoes add to or detract from an outfit. Your shoes are a vital aspect of your overall look and are every bit as important as your suit, shirt, and tie. Whichever style of dress shoe you choose to wear, ensure they aren't too worn and are well-polished.

• Oxfords, derbies, brogues, and monk straps are dress shoe styles that are ideal for semi-formal weddings.
  
• In addition to the more formal styles, penny or tassel loafers can be appropriate for daytime weddings. Boat shoes and sandals are far too casual for a semi-formal dress code.
  

Accessories

One or two well-chosen accessories can enhance and complete your outfit. A handsome tie bar or cufflinks, suspenders, or a pocket square will add a stylish finishing touch to your semi-formal attire. 

Semi-Formal Wedding Attire by Season

Spring and Summer

When spring and summer temperatures climb, you'll want to choose clothing in fabrics that will keep you as comfortable as possible. A lighter-weight suit fabric, such as cotton, linen, or seersucker, will ensure breathability.  

Choose pastel or brighter colors that align with the spring and summer atmosphere. Suits, blazers, dress shirts, and dress pants in lighter tones and pastel colors should make up the essential palette of your outfit.

Fall and Winter

Choose your suit or blazer and dress pants in cool weather fabrics that will keep you warm and toasty throughout the wedding. Consider a three-piece suit or blazer with a vest. Layer a fashionable scarf with your ensemble. If you wear a hat, remember to remove it if the ceremony is held in a church. 

Deeper-toned suits, blazers, shirts, and pants are a terrific choice for fall and winter semi-formal wear. Suits and blazers in rich colors like maroon, burgundy, deep blue, and forest green pair well with a white dress shirt. Dress slacks in dark charcoal, navy blue, and black are a good choice to go with a blazer.

Dressing for Different Types of Semi-Formal Weddings

Daytime Weddings

Morning and afternoon weddings typically call for semi-formal wear in lighter colors that lean toward the more casual end of the spectrum. Although a suit is always appropriate for semi-formal attire, you can also wear a blazer and dress pants or khakis to a daytime wedding.

Evening Weddings

Evening events usually call for a more elegant look. For a semi-formal wedding held in the evening, a dark suit and crisp white dress shirt (tie optional, depending on the venue) will provide a polished look. Add a carefully chosen accessory or two to finish your look.

Destination Weddings

From tropical paradises to remote mountain lairs, be sure to choose your semi-formal destination wedding attire based on the location and season. 

Many destination weddings take place in the tropics. The warmth and humidity of a tropical locale will dictate lightweight, breathable fabrics. Select pieces in open-weave cottons and linens in lighter colors that ensure you look sharp while remaining cool and comfortable.

Destination weddings held during the chill of winter will obviously require warm, insulating clothing. Choose pieces that allow you to dress in layers. Consider silk or performance thermals that will keep you warm under your suit or blazer and dress pants. A vest will add panache and warmth as will a cashmere or wool scarf.

Dos and Don'ts of Semi-Formal Wedding Attire

Dos of Semi-Formal Wedding Attire

• Do remember that a semi-formal dress code means that you'll wear a suit, sport coat, or blazer, a dress shirt or button-down, and contrasting dress pants.
  
• Do choose pieces that are appropriate to the venue, time of day, and season of the wedding.
  
• Do err on the side of dressing more formally if you're unsure if the semi-formal dress code leans more toward formal or more toward casual. It's better to be overdressed than underdressed. For example, if you're unsure if you should wear a tie, do wear a tie, and when you arrive, if ties are scarce, you can always slip into the men's room, remove your tie, and tuck it into your jacket pocket.
  
• Do wear accessories that add flair to your outfit.
  

Don'ts of Semi-Formal Wedding Attire

• Don't wear joggers, jeans, shorts, a polo, a t-shirt, sneakers, leisure wear...you get the idea.
  
• Don't wear white. White is for the bride. The only exception is a white dress shirt.
  
• Don't wear flashy clothes that will upstage the wedding party.
  
• Don't wear a tuxedo. 
  

Styling Tips from The Tie Bar Experts

Styling experts at The Tie Bar share their tips to help simplify your shopping and have you looking fashionable and polished.

• If you're the groom, a groomsman, or father of the bride or groom, choose accessories in the same color family, but in varying shades. For example, if the chosen wedding color is sunny yellow, the groom can wear a rich yellow tie, the groomsmen can wear a soft pastel yellow tie, and the father of the bride or groom can wear a deep yellow ochre tie.
  
• When wearing a tie and a pocket square, don't match the patterns. A sky blue silk tie will be complemented by a deep blue micro-dot pocket square. A multi-color floral silk tie will be complemented by a silk pocket square in a solid color pulled from the tie pattern.
  
• Have fun mixing patterns. Wear a micro-stripe dress shirt, a geometric-patterned tie, and a polka-dot pocket square. Just be sure the pattern scales are varied.
  
• If you wear a tie bar, clip it between the third and fourth button from the top of your dress shirt.
  
• A semi-formal dress code means you can step out of the mold and express your sense of style and fashion.  
  

Shop Semi-Formal Wedding Attire at The Tie Bar

Now you know how to strike that ideal balance between formal and casual when you shop for semi-formal wedding attire.

• Fall and Winter: Go with a dark suit or blazer in fabrics like wool or cashmere.
  
• Spring and Summer: Choose a light-toned suit or blazer in fabrics like cotton or linen.
  
• Pair your suit or jacket and pants with a well-fitting dress shirt.
  
• Express yourself with a tie that makes you feel confident.
  
• Add a final touch of flair with an accessory or two.

Ready to explore The Tie Bar's collection for your semi-formal wedding needs? 

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