What to Wear to a Fall Wedding: Men's Autumn Style Guide

Many men find that dressing for a fall wedding is challenging; the range of locations, temperature fluctuations, and rich visual backdrops can have you reaching out for some guidance. If you're mulling over what to wear to a wedding, men's ensembles should incorporate seasonal fabrics in color palettes and textures that echo the richness and beauty of the season.

This guide is your concrete starting point for what to wear to a fall wedding. We cover dress codes, seasonal fall fabrics, color palettes, and month-by-month outfit ideas. Plus, we describe the must-have accessories that will finish your look. When you start searching for autumn wedding neckwear and accessories, The Tie Bar is your go-to source.

Understanding Fall Wedding Dress Codes for Men

The wedding dress code sets the tone, assuring that what you wear will align with the setting and the formality desires of the bride and groom. Look for the dress code on the invitation or wedding website.

Use the venue as an additional guide to the dress code. An upscale hotel ballroom signals formal wear; a vineyard or estate setting typically implies cocktail attire; a rustic barn or meadow venue will lean toward smart casual. 

For your convenience, we detail three popular fall wedding dress codes: black tie, cocktail or semi-formal, and smart casual/rustic. You'll notice that each of these dress codes comes with a distinct set of style, fabric, and accessories expectations.

Formal and Black Tie Fall Weddings

Formal fall weddings can call for either a dark suit or a tuxedo. The dress code will guide you.

Formal Attire: When the dress code states formal attire, wear a dark suit, a white dress shirt, a solid color silk tie, and dress shoes. Ensure your suit and dress shirt are well-tailored to maximize a polished and sophisticated silhouette.

Necktie and bow tie colors for formal attire should be based on seasonal colors. Look for solid silk neckwear in deep scarlet or burgundy, rich copper or rust, forest or emerald green, or dark navy. Accessorizing in fall's rich colors is seasonally appropriate and encouraged.

Black Tie: For a black tie dress code, you'll wear a tuxedo and bow tie. Traditional black tie requires either a black or midnight blue tux — the epitome of elegance. Colorful tuxedos are trendy but can quickly look outdated.

The classical black tie tuxedo ensemble includes a well-fitted tux, a crisp white French cuff tuxedo shirt, a silk bow tie that matches the lapels of the tuxedo jacket, and black patent leather dress shoes. Bow ties are the traditional neckwear choice for the black tie dress code.

Cocktail and Semi-Formal Fall Weddings

Cocktail attire is the most common fall wedding dress code. For a cocktail or semi-formal wedding, pair a well-tailored wool or flannel suit with a dress shirt, silk tie, and dress shoes.

Your suit can be navy, charcoal, or a warm earth tone. The dress shirt can be white or a very light blue, lavender, or pink. Fit is very important. If unsure, take a look at our journal article, How Is a Dress Shirt Supposed to Fit?
 
It's not always necessary to buy a new suit for a fall wedding. You can always update a suit that you already enjoy wearing by adding a fall colored solid silk or textured tie and a complementary pocket square. Beautiful earth- and autumn-toned knit ties add seasonal depth and interest. The right accessories can transform your current suit into a new, updated look. 

The key to polished cocktail or semi-formal attire is to ensure your suit is well tailored. Try on your suit well before the wedding. Check the fit from head to toe. If you notice bulkiness, tight areas, sleeves or trousers that are too short or too long, make an appointment to get your suit tailored.

Smart Casual and Rustic Fall Weddings

A rustic outdoor venue doesn't necessarily mean the wedding will be casual — the expectation is that you'll still wear an elevated outfit appropriate to the setting. Plan to pull together an outfit that's less formal and less structured but thoughtfully curated. 

Create a smart casual look with a blazer and tailored chinos or dress trousers. Adding a tie or pocket square is the easiest way to signal your effort without going fully formal. 

Some rustic fall wedding dress codes may call for dressing to a theme. For instance, some bridal couples ask their guests to dress in jeans and cowboy boots for a barn wedding. Or, for a harvest festival wedding, relaxed fabrics like flannel and corduroy may be requested. 

In both examples, elevate your jeans and cords by adding a blazer. Just adjust the fabric to a tweed or herringbone to maintain a cohesive rustic look.

Whether the dress code is smart casual or rustic, the goal is to create a polished look. Pull together a seasonal look by choosing fall color tones and thoughtfully chosen accessories such as scarves, suspenders, or string ties.

The Best Fabrics for Fall Wedding Attire

Now that you have a handle on dress codes, let's take a look at fall fabrics that will enhance your comfort and confidence...

• Worsted Wool: The most versatile fall fabric is worsted wool.
  
  • Popular for its polished appearance that's both breathable and durable, worsted wool suiting is always a fine choice for fall weddings. 
    
  • Suits in dark colored worsted wool are a great choice for formal, cocktail, and semi-formal dress codes.
    
  • Rich earth tone worsted wools are terrific for semi-formal and smart casual suits and blazers.
    
• Flannel: The warmth and softness of flannel is ideal for October and November weddings. 
  
  • Flannel provides comfort in cooler temperatures and is a fine complement to the fall season. 
    
  • A three-piece flannel suit is an excellent choice for a formal or semi-formal October or November wedding. 
    
  • A flannel blazer and dress slacks would be just right for a smart casual fall wedding.
    
• Tweed and Herringbone: Offering a relaxed but handsome look, tweed and herringbone provide a rich, interesting texture for suits and jackets. 
  
  • An excellent choice for smart casual and rustic fall weddings, tweed and herringbone are most often available in earth tones that are perfect for fall.
    
• Velvet: The elegance and formality of velvet make it a beautiful option for a formal wedding. 
  
  • You can go with a velvet bow tie or pocket square — or wear a statement velvet dinner jacket in black or deep rich jewel tones. 

Create a cohesive look by coordinating your tie and suit or jacket fabrics. Silk ties pair beautifully with worsted wool and velvet. Knit or wool ties enhance flannel and tweed or herringbone suits and jackets.

Fall Wedding Color Palettes for Men

Fall expands the acceptable color range for men — giving you the opportunity to enjoy wearing rich warm earth tones. The fall wedding color palette can include any of the earth or jewel tones. When creating your fall color palette, the goal is to complement the season without looking costumey.

Colors that pair well for a cohesive fall wedding outfit...

• Navy: Navy is one of the most flexible colors for a suit or jacket. 
  
  • Refined and sophisticated, navy provides an excellent foundation for fall wedding attire. 
    
  • Ties that go with navy suits include burgundy, plum, burnt orange, forest green, and olive. 
    
• Charcoal: An elegant color choice for evening and formal events, charcoal is polished and sophisticated. 
  
  • Hunter, sage, olive, navy, burgundy, wine, and copper are just some of the ties that go with charcoal suits. 
    
• Camel and Warm Tan: Rich camel and warm tan-toned suits and jackets are a great choice for rustic and outdoor fall weddings.
  
  • Ties that go with tan suits are olive, forest green, burgundy, steel blue, chocolate, champagne, copper, and hunter green. 
    
• Olive and Warm Brown: Olive and warm brown suits are handsome complements to the fall season — plus they're a great choice for men who want to move beyond default colors.
  
  • Ties that go with olive suits and jackets include espresso, navy, burnt orange, mauve, beige, and sage green. 
    
  • Ties that go with brown suits include burgundy, navy, sable, hunter green, forest green, and champagne. 
    
• Burgundy and Forest Green Ties: These are the most universally flattering fall accessory colors for any suit or jacket. 
  
  • The richness of burgundy ties complements most skin tones.
    
  • Forest green ties enhance the seasonal tone of fall.
    
• Floral Pattern Ties: An underused option, floral ties in seasonal fall colors look great with any suit or jacket color. Simply choose a tie that has some of the suit or jacket color in the pattern. 
  

What to Wear to a Fall Wedding by Month

Each fall month will help define the wedding dress code. As fall evolves from warm to colder temperatures, layering needs will change. For instance, September and November are distinctly different in terms of temperature, light, and layering requirements. This section will give you a concrete starting point for your fall wedding outfit.

What to Wear to a September Wedding

September is the transitional month that signals the end of summer. Daytime temperatures will still be warm, particularly in southern, western, or coastal regions. Nights begin to cool and changing shadows tell us fall is on its way. 

When curious to know what to wear to a September wedding, men should choose attire that keeps them comfortable in fluctuating September temperatures. Lighter-weight wool or wool-blend suits provide the safest foundation.

Choose accessories in transitional fall tones. Fall hued silk ties with a crisp dress shirt read well for September. For smart casual and rustic weddings, textured knit ties are an excellent choice. 

What to Wear to a Wedding in October

October marks the sweet spot in fall attire. Not too hot, not too cold, October is the Goldilocks month when it comes to staying comfortable. 

When wondering what to wear to a wedding in October, men will look sharp and feel confident in a three-piece suit of worsted wool for formal, cocktail, and semi-formal wear. A tweed or herringbone jacket with a vest will work well for smart casual and rustic weddings.

October is the perfect time to lean into textured clothing and layers. Try cabled vests or sweaters, knit ties, and pocket squares in complementary fall tones. 

What to Wear to a November Wedding

In November, dressing for warmth is the priority. If needing to know what to wear to a November wedding, men should focus on layers, heavier wools, and flannels. Stay comfortable by wearing insulating fabrics designed to hold in body warmth. 

For formal, cocktail, or semi-formal weddings, wear a tightly woven wool gabardine three-piece suit. Go with a merino or cashmere vest under a wool tweed jacket for a smart casual wedding. A tailored wool, camel hair, or cashmere overcoat is a practical and polished addition to any November wedding dress code.

Choose accessories in rich fall colors. Darker silk or textured tie colors like deep plum, dark burgundy, chocolate, and charcoal will photograph well in fall's waning lower light. An earth-tone cashmere or merino scarf will add warmth and style. 

Note that wearing heavier layers can possibly raise your trouser hem. In that case, choose dress socks in the same color as your trouser color to maintain a seamless, cohesive look.

Complete Your Fall Wedding Look at The Tie Bar

There you have it — you know how to create the perfect fall wedding outfit based on the dress code and the venue. And you know that fabrics, layers, and colors matter.

Develop an ensemble that will keep you comfortable as fall evolves into colder weather. Silk or textured wool ties and complementary pocket squares in fall hues will complete your look.

Now that you can picture your perfect fall wedding outfit, it's time to check out The Tie Bar's curated wedding collection. The Tie Bar is an ideal starting point for men like you who will be attending weddings throughout the fall season. 

Shop the Wedding Collection

Fall Wedding Attire FAQs

What color suit should a man wear to a September wedding?

Navy or mid-gray suits are the safest choices for a September wedding. These colors are seasonally neutral and work across all dress codes. Bring in fall color tones with your tie and pocket square instead of committing to a bold-colored suit.

How should men dress for an outdoor fall wedding?

Dress in layers for warmth and flexibility. For a cocktail or semi-formal dress code, wear a three-piece wool or flannel suit. Wear a blazer, vest, and dress pants if the dress code is smart-casual.

What not to wear to a fall wedding as a male guest?

Avoid wearing lightweight summer fabrics like cotton or linen suits, all-black attire, novelty designed ties and socks, and casual footwear. Also avoid wearing jeans, athleisure wear, a white suit (unless specified), neon colors, or garish patterns. 

What is the color theme for a November wedding?

November wedding color themes can vary, however guests don't need to match their attire with the theme. Still, it's helpful to know the theme colors so that your outfit doesn't clash. 

For example, if the wedding color theme is copper, cold icy colors could look out of place. You can reinforce the wedding theme color with your accessories, particularly your tie and pocket square, not your suit or blazer.