# What to wear to a wedding? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 5, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574 "2017-09-05T18:37:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reddy\_Mercury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/1 "2017-09-05T18:37:10Z")
I haven’t been to a wedding since I was 4. My cousin is getting married this month; her wedding website says “attire: formal” I thought a tuxedo would be appropriate, but my mother told me “you’ll look like a fool.” But then again, she was okay with my father wearing a double breasted suit with a blue tie to the wedding we went to when I was 4. The attire specifically says formal. Can some guys give me some advice as to what I should wear? My girlfriend picked this out for herself: [http://www.lulus.com/products/mythical-kind-of-love-green-maxi-dress/239642.html](http://www.lulus.com/products/mythical-kind-of-love-green-maxi-dress/239642.html) I was thinking for myself a classic black tux. But I need to hear some more experienced opinions, if it’s appropriate or not. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/2 "2017-09-05T18:41:37Z")
Double check with the cousin. Her idea of “formal” may be less formal than yours. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/3 "2017-09-05T18:42:21Z")
“Formal” isn’t as, well, “formal” as “White Tie” or “Black Tie.” According to this article in Brides Magazine, for a male guest at a “Formal” wedding, while a tuxedo isn’t required, it would not be out of place. > **[Every Wedding Guest Dress Code, Explained](https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained)** > > What's the difference between black-tie and formal? Semi-formal and casual? We're breaking down every wedding guest dress code to help you decide what to wear to a wedding. But, as **running coach** suggests: if in doubt, check with your cousin. Also: your girlfriend’s dress is lovely. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/4 "2017-09-05T18:45:08Z")
I’ve never been to a wedding where a tux was expected for guests. A normal suit and tie will be just fine, but you _will_ look pretty cool in a tux. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/5 "2017-09-05T18:47:39Z")
Traditionally a tuxedo was only _semi_-formal, while a white tie and tails was formal. But standards seem to have slipped in the past decades, so that I almost never see anyone wearing a white tie and tails. Edited to add, I recommend calling the cousin to ask what the male members of the wedding party will be wearing. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/6 "2017-09-05T18:49:39Z")
What time are the wedding and reception? What kind of venue (how upscale)? Urban or rural area? While “formal” does suggest that a tuxedo would be appropriate, I would think that only the very ritziest settings would make a dark business suit seem inappropriate. Do you own a tux? I can’t imagine that many/most male guests will be dressed in tuxedos, no matter what. Call you cousin or other people you know will attend. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/7 "2017-09-05T18:55:52Z")
Don’t be that guy who comes dressed formally in a kilt. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/8 "2017-09-05T18:59:31Z")
Unless your family is highly fuddy duddy (in which case, wedding attire should already be something you’ve been bred to understand), you can never go wrong in a dark suit. Add a pocket square that matches your tie and you’ll look sharp. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/9 "2017-09-05T19:01:37Z")
Wear a dark suit and tie unless you hear otherwise from the cousin. For many weddings, if you wear a tux, you’ll look like you’re one of the groomsmen but screwed up renting the right thing. ---
**Author:** ![Reddy\_Mercury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/10 "2017-09-05T19:03:39Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > What time are the wedding and reception? What kind of venue (how upscale)? Urban or rural area? > > While “formal” does suggest that a tuxedo would be appropriate, I would think that only the very ritziest settings would make a dark business suit seem inappropriate. > > Do you own a tux? > > I can’t imagine that many/most male guests will be dressed in tuxedos, no matter what. Call you cousin or other people you know will attend. Church service (Catholic), 3pm. Reception at this fancy lounge, 6pm. I can rent if anything. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/11 "2017-09-05T19:03:54Z")
Yeah what Folly said. I’ve been to tons of weddings and never have seen a guest in a tux. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/12 "2017-09-05T19:52:15Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’ve never been to a wedding where a tux was expected for guests. A normal suit and tie will be just fine, but you _will_ look pretty cool in a tux. My MIL went to one. It was a VERY wealthy family and tux’s were required for all the men including children. I guess the meal was like $200 a person or something. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/13 "2017-09-05T19:53:32Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Wear a dark suit and tie unless you hear otherwise from the cousin. For many weddings, if you wear a tux, you’ll look like you’re one of the groomsmen but screwed up renting the right thing. Yes, this is the reason ALL men should own at least one dark suit. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/14 "2017-09-05T20:11:31Z")
Unless your cousin is particularly fancy, I would go with a dark suit and tie. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/15 "2017-09-05T20:39:40Z")
Do a google images search for “september wedding men’s dress”. For some reason, stylish guys these days aren’t wearing socks. I don’t get that, but hey. short form: Dark suit and tie. And wear socks for god’s sake. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/16 "2017-09-05T22:19:44Z")
Yea. Tux for guest not required…just don’t wear sweat pants…and the no socks things weirded me out also…saw it at prom last spring…strange! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/17 "2017-09-05T22:37:37Z")
Wear a dark suit. That’s all that’s needed unless the invitation says otherwise. Definitely do not wear a white dress. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/18 "2017-09-05T22:43:45Z")
Ratty sweats and a ripped, sleeveless AC DC shirt. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/19 "2017-09-05T23:31:33Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Ratty sweats and a ripped, sleeveless AC DC shirt. I don’t think the OP is the groom or best man. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2017, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574/20 "2017-09-06T03:32:10Z")
I go to a lot of weddings and agree that these days, at least around here, a tux for a guest is overkill, and I personally would recommend against it (unless the invitation specifies it. I have been to a black tie wedding or two, but that is made clear in the invitation.) Dark suit is standard. ETA: I just noticed. “Formal” is a tricky word there. That has various meanings, depending on where you are, what the situation is, and who you ask. I think it’s likely to only mean suit and tie, but it couldn’t hurt to ask. When I was in high school and college in the 90s, semi-formal meant suit and tie and formal meant tux. So this will depend on the kind of circles you run in. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-wear-to-a-wedding/795574.md?page=2)