If you suddenly receive a wedding invitation from a friend, can you immediately think of what to wear? —In today's world, where business attire is becoming increasingly casual, many people may find themselves unsure of what to wear when invited to a wedding. For example, if you think, "I have a black three-piece suit, so I'll just wear that," you're completely wrong!

When attending the wedding ceremony, it's important to be respectful and to celebrate the bride and groom with proper manners, avoiding any mistakes. Formal wear varies depending on the time of the event and your role as an attendee, but this time, a professional with a Level 1 Formal Wear Specialist certification will explain how to choose appropriate items and basic manners for men in their 20s and 30s attending a friend's or colleague's wedding (ceremony and reception).

We hope this article will help you attend your loved one's wedding in a sophisticated and elegant formal style.

I. Suits | Let's distinguish between business suits and formal wear (ceremonial attire).

Formal wear can be categorized into the following three types, depending on the occasion and place of wear:

"Most formal wear" is

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The most formal attire, such as morning coats and tuxedos.

Formal attire is primarily worn by those in the roles of groom, father, and matchmaker. Since the groom is the main focus of a wedding, the father and matchmaker generally either dress to match the groom or choose semi-formal attire, which is one level less formal. In highly formal weddings, the guest of honor may also wear formal attire.

Furthermore, formal attire is categorized as clothing that should be worn even during the time the wedding ceremony is taking place .

Formal daytime attire (until 6 PM in summer and 5 PM in winter) includes morning coats and frock coats.
Formal attire worn in the evening (after 6 PM in summer, after 5 PM in winter) includes tailcoats and tuxedos.
Fathers and matchmakers tend to wear morning coats or tailcoats, while the groom tends to wear a frock coat or tuxedo.

A morning coat is characterized by its knee-length jacket and a front panel that is cut diagonally from the button position to the hem. Wearing a vest is considered proper etiquette, and it is paired with plain black or gray pinstripe trousers. For ties, a voluminous ascot tie or a plain or striped gray tie is worn.

A tuxedo features a jacket with a silk lapel and a single silk stripe called a side stripe on the outside of the trousers. While daytime formal wear is different, evening formal wear is coordinated in the same color. Choosing a bow tie also completes the formal look.

What is "semi-formal wear"?

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Black suit

A recent trend is that more customers are choosing black suits with a glossy or lustrous finish. This is because they want to wear a suit that conveys a sense of luxury for important occasions. In addition to notched lapels, more people are also choosing peaked lapels.

Example of wearing a black suit as semi-formal attire.

There are no set rules about when to wear it, and it is worn by guests and relatives at weddings. In recent years, wedding styles have become more diverse, so there are various ways in which it is worn.

What is "informal wear"?

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Dark suits such as navy and gray

Suits worn for formal occasions such as weddings and funerals differ from business suits in terms of color depth and material. Choose a suit with an elegant look, such as one made of 100% wool or a mohair blend, as shown in the photo above. For "semi-formal" occasions, choose black, and for "informal" occasions, choose a dark suit in navy blue or charcoal gray.

Example of wearing a dark suit as "semi-formal attire".

II. What are the right items to coordinate with a suit for a wedding?

1. Dress shirt

Formal shirts typically lack a breast pocket. For both black and dark suits, a plain white shirt with a regular or semi-wide collar is the most common choice . These shirts are suitable for both business and formal occasions, so it's a good idea to have a few on hand, including spares.

For formal occasions such as weddings, a formal shirt with concealed buttons (a fly-front placket) is a great choice, as is a wing collar shirt, which elevates the look to a more dressy level. For black suits, both single and double cuffs are acceptable, while single cuffs are preferable for dark suits.

[Points to avoid]
Avoid casual-looking shirts such as button-down shirts, patterned shirts, and colored shirts (colored shirts are acceptable for the after-party).

2. Cufflinks

For celebratory occasions, choose a white base made of mother-of-pearl or pearls, with a gold or silver metal setting.

[Points to avoid]
Avoid the following: Black cufflinks, such as those made from mother-of-pearl or onyx, are for tuxedos or funerals. Other colored items (colored gemstones) are also inappropriate.

3. Necktie

Patterns include solid colors, regimental stripes, small patterns, and paisley. Colors include silver-gray and champagne gold, as well as lovely pastel colors like pink and light blue. While white is also a good choice, opt for something with a subtle pattern rather than a solid color.

[Points to avoid]
Avoid the following:
Black is a no-no for celebratory occasions. Also, generally speaking, other colors besides those mentioned above, such as dark colors like brown or purple, are not recommended, so please be careful!

4. Bow tie

For formal occasions, solid colors, polka dots, and botanical prints are recommended. Choose dark colors such as black, navy blue, charcoal gray, or burgundy. These pair well with wing-collar shirts. While white is also acceptable, opt for white with a subtle pattern rather than a solid color.

[Points to avoid]
Bright colors, velvet materials, oversized or extremely thin items are not appropriate for formal occasions.

5. Pocket square

Adding a pocket square instantly elevates your look. While not strictly necessary, it's an item that allows you to enjoy coordinating it with your tie.

White is the basic color, and silver-gray has recently become popular. Plain silk or linen fabrics are ideal. Alternatively, you can match the color to your tie, or choose patterns like polka dots or paisley. The "three peaks" fold is the standard for formal occasions.

[Points to avoid]
Avoid colors like red and black.

6. Best

For formal occasions, it is considered preferable to wear a gray vest, like the one in the photo above, under your suit. A gray vest is versatile and can be paired with both black and navy suits. The rule for formal occasions is to leave the bottom button of the vest unbuttoned. While a single-breasted vest like the one in the photo is acceptable, a double-breasted vest is also fine.

[Points to avoid]
Even at a celebratory occasion, brightly colored vests are inappropriate as they are typically worn by the main guest. Vests in striking colors like red or purple are best suited for parties or stage performances. Also, a black three-piece suit is considered appropriate for funerals and is not suitable for weddings.

7.Leather shoes

Black straight-tip or plain-toe shoes are the basic style, and you should choose cowhide leather shoes with an inner lacing system.

[Points to avoid]
Any color other than black is unacceptable, and brown is also inappropriate for celebratory occasions. Suede materials, items with embellishments such as bits, loafers, and boots are also not allowed.

8. Belt

Choose a black cowhide belt with a simple, matte (non-shiny) silver buckle. Even with a navy suit, a black belt is best to match your shoes.

[Points to avoid]
Avoid buckles that are glossy or have a strong design.

9. Socks

Choose lightweight, plain black shoes made of plain weave fabric, either 100% cotton or a cotton-nylon blend, suitable for any season. Even in winter, lightweight shoes are considered formal attire for celebratory occasions.

[Points to avoid]
Thick black dresses, dresses with woven patterns or small designs, and short dresses that reach the ankles are not suitable for formal occasions.

III. Other | What items and etiquette are necessary for a wedding?

Besides clothing, there are various other items you should bring. Make sure to check them beforehand so you don't panic in a sudden situation.

1. Congratulatory envelope

2. Furoshiki (wrapping cloth)

It is considered bad manners to take a congratulatory envelope directly out of the plastic bag or bag it came in. You should properly wrap it in a fukusa (a type of cloth used for wrapping gifts) to show your celebratory feelings. A fukusa should ideally be a dark purple color. Besides the wrapping type and the bi-fold type, more casual, tucked-in types are also available these days.

For celebratory occasions, place the envelope containing the congratulatory gift into the fukusa (wrapping cloth) with the opening facing to the right. If it's a bifold type, place the envelope in the pocket on the left side and cover it with the right side. When handing it over, adjust the orientation so the recipient can read the inscription, and hand it over with both hands if possible.

3. Handkerchief

A simple, plain white handkerchief is considered the most common choice.

IV. Frequently Asked Questions | What should I do in these situations when attending a wedding?

Here are some frequently asked questions about formal wear for wedding invitations.

Q: Is it okay to wear a suit I already own to a wedding?

A: A black formal suit or a dark suit in navy or charcoal gray with a solid color is acceptable. Avoid flashy stripes or checks, as they will draw more attention than the bride and groom.

Q: The bride and groom said, "A casual dress code is fine," but what should I wear to their wedding?

A: Since "casual" can be interpreted in various ways, it's best to consult with the other attendees and adjust accordingly.

Q: The wedding venue is a restaurant. Is it okay to wear a black suit?

A: It depends on the venue and the atmosphere of the attendees, but in most cases a dark suit is acceptable. Even with a black suit, it's better to dress it up with a bow tie and a wing-collar shirt or pocket square.

Q: Should I have it dry-cleaned after wearing it once?

A: In the case of black suits, the color may fade depending on the cleaning method, so please consult with your dry cleaner. If you have only worn it once, after taking it off, brush it, steam it to remove wrinkles, air dry it in the shade, and store it in a well-ventilated place.

Here is a list of recommended formal wear items for men attending weddings, as introduced in this article.