# I'm a dude--What do I wear to a wedding? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 15, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573 "2010-05-15T20:14:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Joanie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@Joanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joanie)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/21 "2010-05-16T00:51:57Z")
Well, you say are a dude and so, I’m not exactly sure. But if you don’t mind a little humor (even if it’s very, very little), one thing you might want to be sure to wear are … pants. ---
**Author:** ![Joanie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@Joanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joanie)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/22 "2010-05-16T00:53:53Z")
You know, this is real good advice. No matter how badly things may turn out, if she’s the one who chose the clothes (I’m not trying to be funny anymore. I swear I’m not), she can never give you any grief about it. > [@missred](#): > > Let your GF choose. > > (she’ll know and you’ll get some brownie points 🙂 ) > missred (dudette) ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/23 "2010-05-16T01:48:23Z")
Yeah it’s her event so ask her how formally you should be dressed. If she says she doesn’t care, but you actually do care, then find out where the reception is and report back. But it’s unlikely that will be the case. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/24 "2010-05-16T02:32:55Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > You don’t _have_ to wear a dark suit, but most men look incredibly dashing in a well-fitting dark suit, and weddings make women think of relationships and sex and stuff. Just sayin’ - you don’t want to miss an opportunity for wedding sex. 🙂 DANG, Cat - I had no idea you were so devious. Come to think of it, I had no idea that anybody was so devious. Gee, I wonder if I ever got any wedding sex. Inadvertently, I mean. Red, the more I think about it, the smarter it sounds to wear whatever Cat Whisperer likes. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/25 "2010-05-16T02:33:58Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Powder blue velour tux with ruffled shirt and bright white Chuck Taylor high tops is VERY nice to be seen in. My fiancée won’t let me wear that for our wedding. I asked. Numerous time. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/26 "2010-05-16T02:34:00Z")
You know, all I ever wore was whatever came up in the rotation. I don’t think I got anything inadvertent. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/27 "2010-05-16T04:30:30Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > \ > > I’ve often wondered how much actual “wedding sex” ever takes place outside of the movie Wedding Crashers. I don’t know about the wedding sex, but I do know that going to a wedding with a boyfriend who wasn’t willing to commit to me was extremely depressing and no doubt contributed to me deciding to cut my losses with him. > [@Napier](#): > > DANG, Cat - I had no idea you were so devious. Come to think of it, I had no idea that anybody was so devious. > > Gee, I wonder if I ever got any wedding sex. Inadvertently, I mean. > > Red, the more I think about it, the smarter it sounds to wear whatever Cat Whisperer likes. That would probably be best. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/28 "2010-05-16T05:20:06Z")
Don’t wear white. Be prepared for your GF to start sighing wistfully, “Isn’t this a beautiful wedding?” ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/29 "2010-05-16T12:52:09Z")
> [@74westy](#): > > Whatever you do. Don’t show up looking better than the bride. Or wearing the same dress… ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/30 "2010-05-16T12:57:40Z")
Don’t worry about it. In the overall scheme of things a guy who is a last minute invite is noticed or cared about slightly less than the color of the mailbox outside. Be comfortable and stand as far out of the way as possible. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2010, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/31 "2010-05-16T13:00:28Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > You wear a suit. > > Every grown-ass man should have at least one suit and these are the occassions you wear it. I have my birthday suit if that’s any help? ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/32 "2010-05-17T13:21:45Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > You wear a suit. > > Every grown-ass man should have at least one suit and these are the occassions you wear it. Exactly. Unless the invitation instructs differently, wear a suit. Button-down shirt, tie, shoes. And if you’re motivated enough to go out and buy a suit, please please please remove the label from the sleeve. It’s not supposed to remain there so everyone can see the brand you bought. It is to be removed upon purchase. And if you’re not the type to normally wear a suit, wear one anyway. No, the tie won’t choke you. No, you really won’t be that uncomfortable. Yes, your GF will appreciate it. Enjoy the wedding. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/33 "2010-05-17T14:26:57Z")
I love suits on men but you certainly don’t have to wear a suit if it is not that kind of wedding. But please, a dress shirt and a tie and slacks. Not jeans and a sloppy t-shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/34 "2010-05-17T19:37:05Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Don’t wear white. It’s ok for men to wear white shirts to weddings. If you have to ask for advice on an Internet message board you probably shouldn`t wear any other white clothes to anything, let alone a wedding. ---
**Author:** ![Baby\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@Baby\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baby_Driver)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/35 "2010-05-18T15:29:10Z")
Just popping in to say, this thread gave me a Doper crush on **Fuzzy Dunlop** for being a dude who knows how to dress. Also props to **Cat Whisperer** - I like how you think :). ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/36 "2010-05-18T18:46:05Z")
This is why every man needs a black suit. It can be worn to pretty much anything ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/37 "2010-05-18T18:53:35Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Wedding? The default for a guy would be a dark suit, or at least a sportcoat/tie/slacks. The invitation may mention expected dress. Failing that, whatever the girlfriend wants you to wear will likely work. Ditto on asking the GF, unless she’s a bit clueless on that sort of thing. The versatile thing to do would be to wear a nice suit and tie, but be prepared to leave the jacket (and possibly the tie) in your car if you get there and notice everyone else has dressed more casually. ---
**Author:** ![jlasserton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c5a1d2/32.png) [@jlasserton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jlasserton)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/38 "2010-05-18T19:05:21Z")
I love weddings! Men look great in dress pants, a button down, possibly a tie depending on the time of the wedding and a blazer. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/39 "2010-05-18T19:18:26Z")
nth recommendation of a suit. Or that failing, white shirt, dress pants, tie. Unless you know for sure the wedding is deep in the Hippy Zone. ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573/40 "2010-05-18T19:57:19Z")
> [@StusBlues](#): > > The versatile thing to do would be to wear a nice suit and tie, but be prepared to leave the jacket (and possibly the tie) in your car if you get there and notice everyone else has dressed more casually. This. If it’s smart, you’ll be appropriately dressed, and if it’s casual, you can take off your jacket and tie, roll up your sleeves and fit right in. As a Brit, though, the idea of taking off your jacket before your tie makes me cringe slightly. Take off the tie first, otherwise you’ll look like you came to fix the photocopier. Especially if you’re wearing a short sleeved shirt (represses another shudder). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-a-dude-what-do-i-wear-to-a-wedding/539573.md?page=3)