The Ultimate Guide For Buying A Suit For A Summer Wedding: Keep Cool and Look Your Best
Summer weddings are a joyous occasion - but they can also be a little daunting, especially if you're not sure what to wear. That's why we've put together this guide, to help you choose the perfect suit for your summer wedding. In this post, we'll discuss the different colors and fabrics which work well for weddings in the summertime, as well as some of our favorite Italian brands and styles. So whether you're looking for something classic or something more contemporary, we have you covered!
In this guide we will summarize the best suit solutions which will stop you from sweating non-stop at your next wedding.
Let's summarize this article before we get into it:
- First choose a fabric, Cotton, Linen, or Fine Wool are the best options.
- Secondly, choose a color, we recommend navy, tan, charcoal, or something with a summery pattern.
- Choose a deconstructed suit - this is the best way to stay cool during a summer wedding
- Accessorize - make sure you're wearing some beautiful Italian accessories to allow you to bring out the full color of your outfit
- Feel free to wear a patterned suit - just make sure you pull it off properly.
If you have a beach wedding coming up, then check out our guide to Beach Wedding Attire for men
What are the best suit fabrics for a summer wedding?
If you're wondering what the coolest fabric is - then we'd definitely recommend linen or cotton. Another great option would be a superfine wool, such as Wool 13.5 Micron, which is actually thinner than most other fabrics. All of these materials are perfect for a summer wedding suit.
You can also look at some kind of a dual or triple composition. For example, we have a great range of Sartorio Napoli Italian suits which have three different fabrics inside, including Mohair.
Sartoria Napoli Navy Mohair & Virgin Wool Suit
This is a really breathable fabric, so it's perfect for summer.
Here is another example, from Cesare Attolini this time - this suit is a mix between Wool 120's and Cotton. A perfect example of a wedding suit that will allow you to enjoy the wedding ceremony without worrying about being too hot.
Cesare Attolini is one of the most renowned suitmakers in the world - and Vincenzo Attolini is considered by many to be the inventor of the modern Sartorial Neapolitan Style.
The lapel of this particular suit is a bit wider, making it a perfect suit for a summer wedding.
The style and breathability of this suit makes it a great option.
Charcoal Gray Wool 120's and Cotton Summer Suit
The final material we're going to talk about is Wool 14 Micron - which is one of the finest wools in the world. This particular suit is a fantastic example from Kiton - Kiton is one of the best Italian Suit Makers
This suit has a plaids & checks pattern - which would simply look exceptional in the hot summer sun. Your biggest worry with such a wonderful suit is that you look better than the groom himself!
Navy Summer Suit Wool 14 Micron From Kiton
Let's summarize this section, what are the best suit fabrics for a summer wedding:
- Cotton - Breathable and light
- Linen - Thin and exceptional for summer
- Composition - Look for thin fabrics together
- Fine Wool such as 14 Micron - Exceptionally thin
- Mohair is another great fabric, albeit a bit more expensive - and best as part of a composition.
If you're not sure how to wear a suit, then check out our golden rules to wearing a suit.
What are the best suit colors for a summer wedding?
There are many different acceptable colors and patterns to wear to a summer wedding, but if you want to be absolutely sure, then definitely wear one of the following summer colors:
- White or Cream
- Navy Blue
- Tan or Light Brown
- Charcoal or Gray
- Burgundy or Maroon
- Black in some countries
There aren't many rules to what you can and can't wear to a summer wedding in terms of colors, but definitely do not wear black. Although in some countries wearing black at a wedding is perfectly acceptable, in others it's not. We therefore recommend that you stick to one of the colors that we mentioned above. You absolutely cannot go wrong if you stick to one of them.
White or Cream summer wedding suit Pinstripe suit
This particular suit from Kiton is a fantastic example of a summer wedding suit. This combination of a creamy white with blue stripes - doubled with the suit fabric composition of 50% linen and 50% cotton - we would argue this is the absolutely ideal summer suit.
It's a completely deconstructed blazer also, as it has no lining, and has a double venting to allow even more air to get through. Wear this with some colorful accessories such as a fantasy colorful pocket square with a matching shade tie, a white dress shirt will work here - and finally a pair of Italian-made dress shoes - and you'll be watching a wedding in style.
Navy Blue Summer Wedding Suit
Navy Blue is one of the most popular colors for a summer wedding. It's professional, it looks great in the summer sun - and it goes with almost everything. This particular suit is from Zilli and as you can see it's a really beautiful shade of navy blue. The fabric composition is 100% wool - meaning it's not the best in terms of fabric, but in terms of color and pattern, this navy blue pinstripe suit would be amazing for a summer wedding.
Zilli is a French brand - but they have fully embraced the sartorial traditions laid down by their Italian brothers. In fact, Zili is half French and half Italian and they make fantastic suits that can be worn all year round.
The color of a suit can play a big role in how well it compliments your complexion and overall look for a summer wedding. While black is not always recommended for these occasions, navy blue is a versatile color that can be dressed up or down depending on the event. The fact that it goes with many other colors means you can more easily build and accessorize around it.
Gray or Charcoal Summer Wedding Suit
It's important to not get a suit which is too bright - and also that it is matte so that it absorbs the light. This allows you to look your best in the wedding photos, a great example of this would be this wonderful charcoal gray summer wedding suit from Tom Ford.
Tom Ford is known across the world for their high-class classic menswear collections. Their suits are an absolute classic - with slightly wider lapels which make them perfect wedding outfits.
This suit is also made with a very high wool content - giving it a really luxurious feel. The pants have a flat front and are double pleated to give them extra room in the thigh area.
Gray and Charcoal are one of the most versatile colors, meaning you can wear them with many other different colors. Gray is also the most traditional color for a wedding, especially in Britain.
Burgundy or Maroon Wedding Suit - Kiton Double Breasted Vicuna Masterpiece
A personal favorite of our stylists - this absolute masterpiece may be a little warm during the summer. However, we simply couldn't make this list of wedding suits without including it.
Burgundy or Maroon are both exceptional colors for formal events. In fact, it's a great replacement for black.
Burgundy is a great way to embrace a refined, cool look. It opens up an entire world of different styles and looks - and this particular double-breasted suit is truly a work of art. We personally think it's one of the coolest suits for a wedding that you will ever find.
Here is another example of a burgundy suit from Cesare Attolini - which is much better for a summer wedding. That's because the composition fabric is much better for hot weather than the previous example:
Both of these pieces would make exceptional wedding wear for men - whether buying a suit for a wedding or you're buying a suit as a groom, burgundy is a great choice.
Brown, Beige, Khaki, Or Tan Wedding Suit For Summer - Kiton Cotton Beige Suit
For a summer wedding, you really can't go wrong with a beige suit. It's light, airy and perfect for hot weather conditions.
This particular beige suit from Kiton is made with 100% cotton - making it an excellent choice for a summer wedding. The pants are flat fronted and have a slight taper to them. The jacket is a two-button, single-breasted style with notch lapels. It's the perfect choice for a summer wedding - and it's sure to keep you cool and comfortable all day long. It's a classic-style suit and will work absolutely perfectly for a summer wedding.
As you can see, there are many great choices when it comes to choosing a suit for a summer wedding. Navy blue, gray, and burgundy are all great choices. And if you're looking for something a little lighter, beige is an excellent choice.
No matter what you choose, just make sure it's comfortable and that you feel great in it. That's the most important thing. Good luck!
By following these simple tips, you'll be sure to find the perfect suit for a summer wedding - and you'll look your best too. So don't sweat it, just follow our guide and you'll be good to go.
Can you wear a black suit to a wedding?
You can definitely wear black to most weddings, however if the wedding is after 5pm, you can wear black, navy, dark gray etc.
If the wedding is a daytime wedding, then definitely wear a lighter color such as the ones suggested above.
If you do decide to wear black to a wedding, we would suggest not wearing a tie. This is the Tieless look and gives your look a much more refined feel to it.
Here is a great example from Kired, who recently teamed up with IsuiT - Italian Luxury - to bring our customers a range of modern suits.
They come in all the major suit colors, including:
- Gray/Charcoal
- Tan
- Light Blue
- Black
- Beige
- Navy
A lot of men believe that they can't pull this look off, but any man can as long as the fit is right. The key to nailing the tieless look is in the details.
Make sure you also accessorize in the correct way, for example matching belt and shoes is a great way to show off some Sartorial Knowledge.
How to choose a suit for a summer wedding - What to wear as a guest/groom
Whether you’re a wedding guest or the groom, we’ve created this article to help you make a decision on the best suit for a man for a summer wedding.
A unique choice offered by IsuiT
Kired is a great brand, and thanks to a collab with IsuiT - we are able to offer top quality suits at a fantastic price!
But Kired does not only make suits - they also have a fantastic range of t-shirts, coats, and polos.
Kired is mainly known for their suits (and blazers), but their other collections are perfect for professional men who like to look their bost both in formal and informal situations.
As a sister company of Kiton - you know that the quality here is going to be excellent. Made with the same love and care as Kiton - but at a more affordable price.
Check out our full article on this modern suit here
We’ve summarised the tips for picking a suit wedding here:
- The fabric you choose is vital. We recommend certain types of thin woolen suits, linen or cotton.
- The colors you choose are also important. Cream, tan, or beige work very well. Light blues and grays can also suit a summer wedding. Navy is also a great choice for a summer wedding suit.
- The lining of the suit can also be important. This is because half-lining suits allow more airflow to the back, and can keep you much cooler than a full-lining suit.
- You also want to choose a suit that won’t wrinkle, and is high quality, and will last a long time. Buy a good suit once, and you can wear it to every wedding you go to!
Based on this, our lead stylist (Claudia Merenda from IsuiT - Italian Luxury) has chosen the KITON SUIT EVO Virgin Wool Blue suit as the best suit for spring summer weddings in 2021:
Kiton suits are a great choice for any wedding goer.
Which fabric is best for a spring or a summer wedding?
They are made for the summer. Italians know what it’s like to be under the sweltering sun, and therefore they ensure the best possible cooling of the body during a hot wedding.
Imagine spending all of the day in a Harris Tweed suit, even in England where the weather is a bit cooler, this will still be way too hot.
Here's a great example of a Barba Napoli 100% Virgin Wool suit. It's a double-breasted piece, which will leave everyone else at the wedding wondering who that stylish person over there is. Luigi Borrelli also has some great items.
These are the fabrics our stylists have chosen for the best suit material to buy for a spring or summer wedding in 2021:
- Virgin wool
- 110-160's Wool
- Cotton
- Linen
What type of wool is good for a spring or summer wedding - Is Virgin Wool good for a summer wedding?
Virgin wool is better because it’s much lighter and thinner. The end product is also very high quality. These types of wool have a similar airflow to them as linen and cotton, but they’re also considered to be much better quality by Italian tailors.
We’re not going to question the best Italian tailors, are you?
Which colors are best for a spring-summer wedding suit?
These Light Blue items together make a perfect example of a wedding outfit that has class, and will not jar unnecessarily. Make at least the shades match is a great way to combine outfits. For example matching your belt and dress shoes is a great way to show your class.
Another example of an amazing color choice is burgundy. Check out this example of a burgundy wedding suit that is both tasteful and also not too hot:
Here's a perfect example of some colors you could think about wearing for a summer wedding. Here we've selected some yellow pieces from Kiton, for those wanting to make a cultured statement:
For this section, we’ve rounded up a group of experts on the subject. This list should help you choose the best suit for the wedding season in spring-summer 2021.
We asked them 5 questions:
- What color is the best to wear to a wedding as a man?
- What are the absolute no-goers, the ones to avoid at all costs (if there are any)
- Is any suit color acceptable?
- Should you match your SO (significant other), and if so with which parts of your suit?
- Any pitfalls/traps you'd like to mention?
First up is Reg Ferguson - Best summer suit for Groom (AKA New York Fashion Geek)
#1: I wouldn’t say there is a “Best” color but the safest color is black. Black goes with everything.
#2: There aren’t any absolute no gos per se but the key is to choose a color that complements your facial complexion. That is extremely important.
#3: Any suit color is acceptable but there certainly is a difference between being bold and garish. You want to be memorable in a good way and not a bad one.
#4: Your overall suit should complement your significant other but it certainly should not be the same color or pattern. Both partners should stand out yet be harmonious like the union they are entering.
#5: Make sure the color of the frames match and complement your skin color and don’t fade away. Don’t wear a color that absolutely clashes with the color of your outfit. Contrast is one thing, clashing is another.
Next up we have Patrick Kenger (from Pivot Image)
#1: I wouldn't say there is a "best" color. Things come in and out of season/style so it's good to pay attention. For summer weddings, cream/tan colors work well. If you have no clue, or want a suit you can get a lot of wear out of, stick with a navy suit. Try not to go too dark unless the wedding calls for it. Black can look a bit heavy and dark for a happy summer wedding occasion.
#2: Anything overly loud - you want to avoid upstaging the couple getting married. This isn't your day, so try to stick to mainly neutral tones and simple patterns, if any.
#3: See above.
#4: It's a bit tacky to do so. You should both dress the way you want to while not upstaging the couple. At most, match with a pocket square but try to avoid matching with a tie, or your full suit.
#5: Heavier fabrics. Summer weddings are a great time to wear linen and linen blends. Look for a suit that has minimal padding and is half-lined or unlined.
Now let's here from Robert Van Tongeren (from Restart Your Style)
"If you're attending the wedding as a guest, your options depend on the occasion and the dress code that the bride and groom have set. Dress codes even in summer can range from black tie to casual. A city wedding will usually require a different outfit than a beach wedding. However, even beach wedding may require formal clothing. Don't make assumptions. If the invite doesn't give directions, call the couple and check with them before selecting your wedding attire.
Even if the dress code is casual, try to dress up a bit. Leave the T-shirt and shorts in the closet, and go for a linen shirt with dress pants. If you want to play it safe, bring a separate jacket that you can throw on if you arrive and feel under-dressed.If you don't need it, you can leave it in the trunk of your car, or hang it at the reception desk.
For materials, your best options are breathable fabrics, such as linen, seersucker, and chambray. Just don't use the same materials for your entire outfit. For example, if you wear a seersucker suit, pair it with a linen or chambray shirt. This will create an appealing contrast.
For black tie and black tie optional weddings, you won't have much choice. You will have to don a black tuxedo or suit respectively. For semi-formal or smart-casual weddings, you have more choice when it comes to colors. I recommend a lighter hue, such as tan, khaki, light-blue or grey.
If you're the groom at a beach wedding, avoid the tan suit. Chances are, many of your guests will arrive in the same outfit. Plus, you'll blend in too much in the surrounding. A light blue suit instead will create a nice contrast against the sandy beach"
Finally, we have May Flanagan with her absolute favorite color of a summer wedding (from 80's Fashion World)
“As for summer wedding shades/colors for men, one of my picks is the color 'Illuminating'. This is one of Pantone's colors of the year (alongside Ultimate Gray). Yes, gray is good - and it's a timeless classic, but yellow is a true summer staple!
While it'll be dashing to see a guy wear an all-yellow (my bad, 'Illuminating') shade - some might find it shocking so I suggest starting with one item first. It may be a blazer or a pair of pants - even a bow or tie if the color proves too much for the wearer.
And in true Pantone fashion, I think an 'Illuminating' blazer will go well with an 'Ultimate Gray' trouser (or vice-versa).
With this sunny color, any yacht/beach wedding is sure to stand out.”
Want even more information? Check out our guide to being more stylish as a man.
Want some general advice about how to dress like an Italian man? Check it out here.
