Updated by Sonia Su
Fall weddings may not be for everyone—after all, it can get pretty cold in some states this time of year. However, there are plenty of guys who have been waiting for the chilly weather to arrive.
Fall is an excellent season for fun and festive events, such as Halloween and fall-themed parties. It is also an excellent time for a wedding. With a gorgeous palette of oranges, yellows, and reds as far as the eye can see, a fall wedding can be a celebration of color, unlike in any other season. Couples can take advantage of this beautiful backdrop by choosing orange and brown wedding colors, but how do you decide on the appropriate fall wedding attire?
The first step is to consider what kind of fall wedding you'll be attending to decide on recommended wedding attire. Will it be a formal affair with dark colors and matching suits? Or will the bride and groom prefer something more casual and in line with the season?
If you've received an invitation to a fall wedding, keep reading for some helpful advice for men's fall wedding attire. Be sure to check out our other guide on whether men can wear white to a wedding, as well as beach wedding groom attire.
Men's Fashion Trends in the Fall
When it comes to traditional menswear, everything seems to be more prominent in the spring and summer. Men are expected to wear their boat shoes with no socks, linen shirts without undershirts, and shorts that are a little too short. However, things change when the weather gets colder. It's time to go back to basics with classic fall looks that will keep you warm all year long.
Mimicking fall foliage, fall menswear includes three primary colors; reds, browns, and navies. You can't go wrong if you choose to wear a shirt with any of these colors. Instead of opting for those bright red pants that everyone wore for Halloween last year, go for some deep burgundy chinos instead. It's the perfect way to liven up your look without going overboard.
For other autumnal colors like dark greens shirts and purple shirts, the rules are the same. Wear them sparingly, and make sure you get creative by adding some patterns or a print shirt, such as stripes and checks, or textures like wool and corduroy.
Choosing fall wedding attire is not rocket science. The key is to make sure your clothes are warm enough for the fall weather but not so bold that you overshadow the bride or take away from all of those gorgeous autumn colors around every corner.
Below are some men's fall wedding attire options you can consider.
Formal Fall Wedding Attire for Men
If you've been invited to a formal wedding this fall, then don't worry—wedding attire dress codes are not as strict as it is during the summer. If anything, some rules are more relaxed during this time of year so you can have fun with your outfit. Here is our guide on creative black tie.
For example, tuxedos are always acceptable at formal weddings with black tie attire. Still, they are now accompanied by the option to wear dark brown or navy blazers-with dress pants—instead of traditional black tuxedo jackets.
This is an excellent way to embrace fall colors without completely standing out. Even if you aren't wearing something as bold as cobalt blue or burgundy, you can still be stylish. Browse our ties for men.
For those of you who want to wear a suit but aren't sure if it's appropriate in a romantic setting, there is some room for creativity here as well. By adding a bow tie or checked pattern to your jacket or swapping out the dress shirt underneath (our favorite dress shirts for weddings here), you have the option of going from conservative to chic without having to sacrifice your style. Here's our guide on black tie wedding attire, as well as how to put on a boutonniere.
Casual Wedding Attire for Men
If you're going to a casual wedding or semi-formal, then there's no need to worry about looking too dressy or overdressed. The best thing a wedding guest can do is embrace their style and not worry about following specific rules when it comes to wedding attire for men.
For example, jeans may be too informal, so that you can choose a nice pair of deep-indigo chinos instead. If you're going to wear a button-down shirt but don't think they're appropriate at any wedding or formal or semi-formal event, consider wearing a plaid one with the sleeves rolled up with sleek black pants and one of these best beanies for men (use this guide on how to wear a beanie to style everything correctly)—you'll look far from sloppy, and it will still keep you cozy during the cooler months.
And, of course, with fall wedding attire, you can't go wrong with adding a patterned scarf or funky hat with a white dress shirt to your wedding attire—it's an easy way to put together a unique look without having to overthink things.
No matter what you choose to wear, remember that it's more critical for you to have fun with your style than it is to worry about following some hard-and-fast rules on what you can or cannot wear.
Cocktail Fall Wedding Attire for Men
When it comes to cocktail wedding attire, there are a few things any wedding guest should keep in mind: the weather, the time of day, and the event's formality. Is it getting colder? Will the wedding be during the day or at night? And what is a wedding dress code?
First, it's essential to be aware of what time your cocktail attire wedding is taking place. If you're invited to an evening cocktail party, then wear something nice but not too fancy. You'll want to stick with darker colors like navy or deep brown. Make sure you plan for any chilly weather that might go along with the season.
If you're going to a daytime wedding, feel free to add some color and patterns to your cocktail attire. However, try and stick with paler tones like grey or beige because darker colors will make you look too formal for such a relaxed event—this is especially important if it's an outdoor wedding.
And last but not least, if you're going to a cocktail party during the fall or winter, then you want to make sure you don't wear something too light.
While a weightier blazer is always acceptable, wearing a coat that's too thin can look out of place even at a less formal autumn wedding. Save your leather jacket for another occasion.
Wedding Attire Accessories
Once you've chosen your suit and tie (or bow tie!), consider adding a splash of color to accent them with your accessories. For example, if you're wearing a navy suit, dress shirt, and light blue tie, opt for a coral pocket square or socks. You could also try adding a patterned scarf or hat to play off the autumn weddings theme.
What about Fall Wedding Attire Colors?
For wedding attire for men, consider wearing darker colors like deep brown or navy at an evening fall wedding, although lighter colors are acceptable for daytime events. However, if the event is formal, then stick to darker tones. Here's a guide on:
Especially for an autumn wedding, wear rich jewel tone fabrics like ruby red or emerald green for your accessories to pull your outfit together and look great for wedding photos during this special fall season. Here are our guides on 7 best suit colors and how a suit should fit.
The Best Colors for Fall Wedding Attire for Men
The key to choosing the best color for your suit is matching it with the time of day when the wedding will be happening. If you are attending an evening fall wedding, stick with darker colors like navy or grey.
Shades of brown are also appropriate, but make sure you choose a richer tone rather than something lighter. For daytime suits, you can go for brighter colors like burgundy or forest green.
When it comes to fall wedding attire for men, the sky's the limit as far as what you can wear, so have fun with it. But always keep in mind the time of day and the event's formality. If you plan and think about these two things, you'll be able to choose an autumn wedding outfit that matches the occasion perfectly.
No Dress Code? Here are Your Options for Wedding Attire for Men
If you're attending a wedding that doesn't have specific dress codes, you should follow several wedding attire guidelines as a wedding guest. Generally speaking, it's safest to stick to semi-formal wedding attire or business casual for men's wedding attire. This means wearing a dark suit and dress shoes, which you can either dress up or down depending on the time of day and event details.
You should also consider which color would match up best with your wedding attire for men. For example, you might want to go for a navy or grey suit if you're attending an evening wedding.
On the other hand, daytime events are well suited for more casual attires like khakis, and a blazer would work. If you're wearing a light-colored suit, opt for neutral colors like grey or tan to avoid clashing. Here are guides on casual wedding attire, semi-formal attire for men, and semi-formal vs formal attire. Make sure to also browse our casual dress shirts.
Dress for the Weather
The fall season brings cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather. You should dress according to the event details, but also consider your location. When it comes to fall wedding outfits, a beach wedding can call for a very different outfit from one that may ask for dance ready derby shoes!
If it's an outdoor wedding, make sure you dress accordingly—wear layers like sweaters or vests if it's colder, and bring along a light jacket in case the sun comes out. Here are some more ideas on what to wear to a wedding for men.
What is Men's Fall Wedding Attire?
Finding fall groom attire may be even more challenging. You also have to figure out what your groomsmen will wear. The only difference between the options for the wedding party and guests is what suit they should wear to your wedding.
If it's a formal, traditional wedding ceremony, the groom and groomsmen can wear morning suits or tuxedos with a pocket square and dress shoes, but dark suits will probably do if it's an informal event.
The groom could match his groomsmen by wearing a morning suit or tuxedo for formal fall weddings with a white dress shirt. However, he could bend the rules and blend in with a dark suit for a traditional wedding. So, what should the male members of the wedding party wear to a fall wedding?
The Best Man Wedding Attire
The best man probably has a little more room to play with their wedding attire. They'll most likely be standing close to the groom and groomsmen, so they can dress a bit differently from the others without going too far off course from the dress code. Make sure you're all still on the same page.
For example, if everyone else is wearing a dark suit, the best man can wear a patterned one with white dress shirt without standing out negatively. Another good option for the best man in a casual wedding is to go with something more casual like jeans and a blazer—this way, they won't look too stuffy next to everyone else.
If the other groomsmen are going with traditional suits, the best man can wear a more contemporary outfit like black jeans and a white dress shirt with a tailored blazer. Just make sure the colors aren't too light as this will look too informal for an evening wedding.
Groomsmen Wedding Attire
If you are the groom, you should also ensure your groomsmen pay attention to the time of day your wedding is taking place. Ensure they have dressed appropriately according to your wedding's dress code and time of day.
A navy suit or those in darker colors such as black or grey will work well for nighttime weddings. On the other hand, patterned and light-colored suits will be more suitable for daytime ceremonies.
As the groom, you can pair your groomsmen's outfits to your own, so you have a complementary look. Make sure everyone is wearing a dress shirt that matches their ties. You can also bring swatches of fabric if necessary. Looking to gift the important guys in your life? We have a curated list of best gifts for groomsmen as well.
Grooms/Bridegrooms Father Wedding Attire
Generally speaking, the groom's father should wear men's wedding attire that's a bit more conservative than the groom's. For a casual wedding, the senior man could opt for a blazer, dress shirt, pocket square, and dress pants. The groom could then go for a dressier ensemble in a traditional dark color like navy or grey.
You can also follow any guidelines your son has given you about his wedding. But be careful to avoid being too casual or outshining the groom -- aim for business casual.
If your son is wearing a classic suit jacket and he wants you to wear one as well, then go for something in a lighter color like tan or cream—dark colors for wedding attire will make you look too formal (which isn't necessarily bad but should only be used as a last resort).
Conclusion to Appropriate Fall Wedding Attire
Well, there you have it—the basics of what to wear to a fall wedding and recommended wedding attire. As with all clothing advice, make sure you keep your style in mind when choosing what to wear for the occasion. But before you make a decision, be sure to check with the bride and groom about what they expect for this special event, such as a specific wedding dress code.
If you're still unsure or don't want to put too much effort into your look, then wear a dark suit that's appropriate for the time of day and go from there.
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