If a wedding invitation says "Please come in casual attire," what kind of clothing should a man wear?
The word "plain clothes" generally means "everyday wear," but when it's written on an invitation to a wedding, ceremony, or reunion, it refers to a suit.
However, many people may wonder whether a suit they would wear to work is appropriate, or if they should dress up a bit, or even dress down a bit, and what the acceptable limits are. They may also be curious about what kind of attire is appropriate for funerals or memorial services.

Yuki Kuchimoto, Category Specialist Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building will answer these questions. He will also introduce recommended casual attire for weddings, so if you are wondering what to wear to a wedding, please refer to this article.

What exactly is "casual attire"? An explanation starting with the meaning of the word.

"Heifuku" (平服) is a word that means "everyday clothes; everyday attire." However, in the context of formal occasions such as weddings and funerals, "heifuku" does not refer to everyday clothes, but rather to "slightly simpler semi-formal attire or semi-formal mourning attire."

The phrase "Please come in casual attire" is a thoughtful gesture directed towards attendees. Choose appropriate attire for the ceremony you are attending.

Casual attire for each event you participate in

wedding

For wedding attire, a classic choice is a dark gray suit, a plain white dress shirt, and a white or silver tie. Avoid bright primary colors, eye-catching clothing, or all-white or all-black outfits.
While it has changed slightly over time, "casual wear" in today's era generally refers to a modest suit or a jacket and slacks.

It's important to incorporate a touch of seasonality and contemporary style into the design, while also considering the guests and attendees and adding a touch of elegance somewhere.

Memorial service/farewell gathering

For funerals and memorial services, men should wear a dark suit as semi-formal mourning attire. Suits in subdued colors such as navy or gray are also acceptable. A plain white dress shirt with a regular collar and a plain black tie without a sheen are preferable.

Since anything shiny is considered inauspicious, avoid wearing belts or accessories with reflective buckles. For shoes, plain black leather shoes without metal fittings are best.

Points to consider when choosing casual attire for a wedding.

When deciding what to wear to a wedding in casual attire, consider three points: the guest list, the time of day, and the formality of the venue.

Guest lineup

When attending in casual attire, you should choose clothing that takes into account the age and position of the other guests. If the attendees are superiors such as your boss or senior executives from business partners, it is best to opt for a more formal style, closer to semi-formal attire. Conversely, if the attendees are mainly young people, such as friends of the bride and groom, a slightly more casual outfit would probably be acceptable.

Time slot

Etiquette for casual attire differs between daytime and nighttime events, so you should adjust your clothing depending on the time of the ceremony. For men, if the event is held at night, it is acceptable to wear items made of glossy materials such as silk wool or velvet.

venue formality

Even if you're attending in casual attire, make sure your outfit matches the venue's atmosphere. Check whether it's a formal wedding venue in a hotel or a lively, casual restaurant wedding, and choose clothing that suits the setting.

Four casual outfit styles categorized by level of formality, as suggested by Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building .

1. A standard formal attire style that exudes a sense of formality.

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First, let's look at the most common formal attire style: a navy suit. This is suitable for occasions such as weddings of friends or relatives held at hotels or wedding venues. If there are guests who are older or more senior to the inviter, even if they are friends or family, appropriate formal attire is required to avoid being disrespectful.



For a classic casual look, a suit is the obvious choice. While your existing navy suit is acceptable, it's best to choose one made from high-quality materials and with excellent tailoring, rather than a typical work suit. A darker shade of navy will further enhance the formal feel.

For the shirt, I recommend a plain white regular collar. Semi-wide and wide collars have a stronger business-like feel, so a regular collar is the most appropriate choice for formal occasions.

Always choose black shoes. While brown shoes are often paired with navy suits, formal shoes are traditionally black. For socks, black long socks that reach below the knee are highly recommended.

2. A dignified "casual attire" appropriate for a formal venue and senior attendees.

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Check out these slightly more formal "casual attire" styles. When attending a banquet such as a colleague's wedding, where company superiors or senior executives from business partners will be present, and the venue is a hotel, a prestigious wedding hall, or a temple or shrine where a solemn atmosphere is required, even "casual attire" can be quite formal. Here, we've coordinated styles that incorporate a formal feel that is close to "semi-formal attire."



Many people probably own a party jacket for when they want to dress up a bit. While black or navy are common choices, this time we've prepared a gray suit, which is also common in formal wear overseas. Since it looks great under indoor lighting at night, you might also consider choosing materials like mohair or silk.

I chose a wing-collar shirt and paired it with a bow tie. Wing-collar shirts are typically worn for formal occasions like parties, but it's good to have one on hand for those special occasions. I chose a bow tie in a color that wasn't too bright, keeping in mind the semi-formal black tie style. Avoid bows with overly large wings; choose one that's just the right size.

For shoes, opt for black lace-ups. Slip-ons are considered casual shoes. Straight-tip or plain-toe shoes are preferable. If it's in the evening or later, opera pumps are also appropriate.

3. A refreshing summer party style featuring linen.

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This time, we've opted for a more relaxed, casual party style. This outfit is perfect for a setting that allows you to fully enjoy the season, like a summer garden wedding. The bright blue suit and tie style is refreshing and perfectly suited for the upcoming season.



For casual parties with close friends, such as a friend's wedding held in a garden, this kind of casual attire—not too flashy, not too plain—is ideal. The suit is made of a linen blend, giving it a summery feel. The tie is also made of cotton linen to match the suit's texture. The pocket square is also made of white linen, but the blue trim adds a touch of casualness.

Here too, I deliberately chose black shoes. I paired them with punched cap-toe lace-up shoes. It's a style that you might be tempted to wear with white sneakers, but since you've been invited to a once-in-a-lifetime event like a wedding, I think it's best to dress appropriately and show proper respect.

4. Add a touch of glamour to a casual wedding with accessories.

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Next, we'll introduce "casual attire" styles suitable for casual parties such as restaurant weddings and after-parties.
Even though it's casual attire, since it's for a formal occasion, it's necessary to add a touch of elegance to match the venue's atmosphere. In such cases, the key is not to make the clothes themselves flashy, but to add a touch of sophistication with patterned accessories. You want to aim for a style that is never too flashy or attention-grabbing and doesn't overshadow the main event.



For casual parties, a navy jacket and gray slacks are the typical attire. An unstructured jacket is perfectly acceptable. The gray slacks should also have a tapered silhouette for a clean and stylish look. As for the shade of gray, charcoal to medium gray is more suitable for formal occasions than light gray.

I chose a polo shirt as my inner layer to create a casual and relaxed look. Instead, I added a neckerchief around my neck to give it a touch of elegance, replacing the tie. The neckerchief has a subtle, understated pattern. It's said that even in formal settings, a gentleman who shows respect for others should avoid exposing too much skin, just as a glimpse of his shins can be seen from beneath his trouser hems.


For footwear here, I've chosen loafers. For a casual "everyday wear" style, there's no need to deliberately choose lace-up shoes. However, brown loafers are a bit too casual, so I've opted for black, keeping in mind that this is a party setting.

If you're going to consult at ISETAN MEN'S , please tell them the "venue," "position," and "time."

This article explained the meaning of casual attire, appropriate clothing for different events, and recommended outfits for weddings. If you're unsure what to wear, please feel free to consult with a category specialist at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building .

When contacting us, please be sure to provide the "venue," "position," and "time."
Please tell us not only the type of event—whether it's a party, wedding, or casual gathering—but also the venue, the type of attendees, and whether it's daytime or evening. This will help us make better suggestions. The way we use glossy materials and choose colors also depends on the time of day, so please let us know as much as you can.

First of all, please feel free to consult with us about anything; our stylists' extensive experience will be put to good use. Our category specialists can guide you through shopping throughout the entire Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building to the main building. We can help with anything from total coordination of formal wear to how to combine items you already own, to advice on gifts, and more. We are confident that we can provide reliable advice, so please do not hesitate to speak to us.