The Destination Wedding Suit That Goes Everywhere
There's a lot of ground to cover for a celebratory weekend of destination nuptials, wining and dining, socializing, and vigorous dancing.
You need a killer look that strike the perfect balance between being on a European vacation and being in someone's wedding photos. My suggestion? One suit that is versatile enough to adapt to almost any wedding, anywhere.
Words by Reinaldo Irizarry
Photos taken in London, U.K.
So you're en route to your buddy's destination wedding. Awesome. All you have to do is show up and look presentable. That is precisely where your biggest challenge comes in: packing.
Wedding season causes enough migraines as it is—the bachelor party, booking flights and hotels, and finding the right gift—before you even start to consider what you’re going to wear. So how about I go ahead and help you strike that from your to-do list altogether?
Below, I’ve built a case for the superior, leveled-up, lightweight suit that will help you look your best in the face of destination nuptials practically anywhere. Oh, yeah, and did I mention they all clock in well under $1,000? Save your coins for the post-reception bar and read on to learn more about ‘the one’.
It’s not white, it’s not cream, it’s not gray. For years, if a magazine like GQ was writing about versatile suits, that meant one thing and one thing only: a cotton two-piece khaki suit.
Don’t get me wrong, khaki suits are still as essential as ever, but if you've been on the khaki-suit-train from the jump, you must be getting kind of bored of them. And I don't blame you. That's where this handsome color comes in.
A touch creamier than white, a tad warmer than gray, but not as yellow as the average tan. It's just enough of a change to feel fresh without losing any of its versatility. Oh yes, this is indeed a versatile suit. There's no reason you can't wear a black suit in the summertime, and therefore, there’s no reason you can’t wear a light one in the winter.
What you’re looking for is a suit tailored from breathable fabrics with minimal lining, no padding and normal to slightly wider-than-normal lapels.
Slim lapels are one of those things in menswear that never stick around long enough to be considered classic, so in this case stray away from slim lapels altogether.
These qualities will make your suit neutral enough to handle a year’s worth of outfit combinations. It can handle anything from aloha shirts to vintage polos to good old fashion button-down and ties; so your friends will never see you in the same outfit twice.
SHOP SUITS
Now that you are well-versed in the only two requirements there are to nailing the most versatile destination wedding suit, let me show you the infinite ways you can style it.
DESERT WEDDING
To transform your new “it suit” to be suitable for a desert wedding simply draw inspiration from your surroundings. Dark brown is a good contrast against your cream suit and it brings in the colors of the sand and the rocks, while different shades of green pull in colors from cactuses and other desert plants. To style this look simply tuck-in your polo and wear invisible socks with your shoes. Finally inject some of your personality (and more of those green hues) with a printed pocket square and a timepiece with rich brown leather straps.
– wear it with –
HAWAIIAN WEDDING
Wearing this suit to a Hawaiian wedding is extremely easy – throw on a floral shirt and you’re 90% done. Complete the look with light brown loafers (worn with invisible socks), leather accessories and a straw fedora if you’re feeling confident enough. If the fedora feels like too much, set it aside and wear it to the reception following the ceremony.
– wear it with –
WINTER WEDDING
The trick in making this suit work for a winter wedding is letting the suit be the lightest part of your outfit and opting for all-black everything else. This will ensure you look classic and sophisticated. Now a winter wedding will most likely call for an extra layer of warmth, that’s where a topcoat becomes part of your outfit. Getting the outer shell right is just as important as the clothes you wear under it, especially because it’s the most visible. Treat your coat like an extension of your outfit and make sure it’s as fitted as your suit.
– wear it with –
You Might Also Like – Topcoats: The Clothes For Your Clothes
TROPICAL WEDDING
Don’t compromise on your look because of high temperatures. To make your tropical wedding outfit equally stylish and comfortable, opt for a tucked-in short-sleeved dress shirt. If the dress-code allows, wear it without a tie and with a few undone buttons at the top. Add extra ventilation with a pair of smart shoes like the wingtip Oxfords I’ve selected here. They have the look of a dressy wingtip shoe but are designed with a perforated fabric top to add extra ventilation where you need it most. Finally, complete the look with a fun pocket square and block the sun in metal-framed sunglasses.
– wear it with –
SUPER CASUAL WEDDING
If you’re attending a super casual wedding or perhaps you’re skipping the ceremony and going straight to the reception, this suit is still the way to go. Simply pair it with a high-quality t-shirt (no pockets), all white low-top sneakers, a classic timepiece and finish it off with a snazzy silky pocket square. The pocket square gives your outfit that extra umph to make it handsome enough to be worn at a wedding.
– wear it with –
