Wedding Guest Style Guide: What to Wear Based on Dress Codes

Wedding invitations often include dress codes that can be confusing. Here’s how to decode them and look your best without upstaging the couple or feeling out of place.

Black Tie

This is the most formal common dress code:

• Must wear: A proper tuxedo with black bow tie
• Best choices: Classic black tuxedo, formal white shirt, patent leather shoes
• Modern option: Midnight blue tuxedo instead of black
• Accessories: Simple and minimal—black studs, cufflinks, and a pocket square

Remember: This is not the time to get creative. Stick to classic formal wear.

Formal or Black Tie Optional

Slightly less rigid than Black Tie:

• Safe choice: Dark suit (black, charcoal, or navy) with a white shirt and conservative tie
• Acceptable alternative: Tuxedo if you own one
• Not acceptable: Light-colored suits, casual fabrics, or bold patterns

Our IDEL FASHIONS Premium Suit Collection offers perfect options for these formal occasions.

Semi-Formal or Cocktail

The most common wedding dress code:

• Best choice: Dark suit with some room for personality in your shirt and tie
• Colors: Navy, charcoal, or medium-to-dark gray work well
• Accessories: This is where you can add some personality with your tie, pocket square, or socks
• Modern option: Separates can work if they’re high quality (like a navy blazer with gray trousers)

Beach Formal

Tricky but increasingly common:

• Ideal outfit: Light-colored suit (tan, light gray) in a breathable fabric like linen or cotton blend
• Shirt options: White or pastel, possibly with subtle pattern
• Footwear: Clean loafers or dress shoes (dark brown works well)
• Important note: You still need a jacket and long pants—this isn’t casual

Casual Wedding

Don’t be fooled—”casual” at a wedding is not everyday casual:

• Safe bet: Dress pants or chinos with a button-up shirt and blazer
• Minimum requirement: Collared shirt, nice pants, clean shoes
• Never appropriate: Jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, or shorts

When in doubt, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed for any wedding. You can always remove a tie or jacket if you feel too formal.