Originally posted on Polka Dot Bride September 8th 2008
It’s NYC fashion week and we thought we’d join in the fun by hosting fashion week here on Polka Dot Groom! Earlier today East Side Bride dropped by and now we’re giving a basic rundown of dress codes!
Photo by Mary Jane Photography
Let’s kick off groom’s fashion week with a basic rundown of dress codes.
Casual
Marrying at the beach? Consider untucked white linen shirts and cotton or linen pants- khaki is a good colour option. Go barefoot or wear leather thongs (flip flops), or if the theme is really casual an open collared patterned shirt and light coloured pants. No denim or shorts unless stated on the invitation.
Informal/Smart Casual
With the emphasis on the ‘smart’ part. Long pants and buttoned shirts, polished closed shoes. Can also mean a lounge suit – which could be lighter in colour, and tie. The jacket and tie can be removed at the reception if you feel too formal.
Cocktail
For a cocktail wedding, think lounge suit (below). A dark suit with a tie and dark shoes is the most appropriate. Match your sock colour to your shoes.
Lounge Suit
A simple suit with a tie. Avoid garish ‘character’ ties – even if you think they will add humour to the occasion. Your tie and/or shirt colour may match the outfit your partner is wearing.
Morning Suit
Only worn for a morning wedding, a morning suit will be black or grey and the jacket is long, cut away on the diagonal from a button at the waist. An ascot may be worn instead of a tie and a top hat added for extra pizzazz.
Black Tie
A formal black suit usually only worn after 6.p.m. – often a tuxedo, tuxedo shirt, cufflinks with bow tie. The shirt front is often held together with studs. A variation on this is a ‘creative black tie’ where guests may mix it up more – a tuxedo with a dark shirt for example or coloured bow tie. A cummerbund with pleats facing upwards may also be worn.
White Tie
The most formal of weddings will require a black tuxedo complete with tails and satin stripe on the pant. The jacket will be cut horizontally at the waist or with slight point echoing the line of the waistcoat. A white bow tie and white waistcoat are essential, as are a shirt with French cuffs and winged collar, and cufflinks and studs.
Tips
– Always wear the same coloured socks as the shoes.
– Make sure your shoes are shiny and clean
– If going barefoot – have clean, well cared for feet and nails
– Make sure the socks are long enough and no leg shows when you sit down.
– Chose your accessories wisely
Some corrections / additions to this summary for your readers:
Far more common than a Morning Suit (matching material Morning Coat and trousers), is Morning Dress, which includes a black Morning Coat with striped grey trousers. (see http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzo4ogyJOBM/Uj_Jha7sMNI/AAAAAAAAYcw/8bYRIIvImXk/s1600/__fam2.jpg)
Morning Dress is NOT only valid for morning weddings, but in fact any daytime wedding. In fact nearly every event where Morning Dress is worn (weddings, horse races other formal daytime events) is actually in the afternoon. 6pm is the generally accepted cutoff for Morning Dress. Formal events beginning after 6pm should be White Tie.
One exception to these guidelines is Scandinavia, with its sometimes 24 hour daylight hours, where formal daytime weddings are White Tie (see recent weddings of [Swedish] Princesses Madeleine and Victoria http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzo4ogyJOBM/Uj_Jha7sMNI/AAAAAAAAYcw/8bYRIIvImXk/s1600/__fam2.jpg)
Black Tie can be worn any time of the day, but in hot or very sunny situations, consider less formal variations such as a shawl collar instead of a peak lapel, and a ivory or cream tuxedo jacket.
Apologies, I posted the same picture link twice. The second link, referring to Swedish weddings and White Tie, should be the following:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jZF5Sag8D4/UbPcaNxfnTI/AAAAAAAAXRY/WUv2BqlftXI/s1600/_men.jpg
Great photos