Open a wedding album twenty years on and people rarely remember exactly what the suit cost, but a single glance is enough to tell whether the colour that day suited the man or not. Some grooms glow at the reception, and some look as if they are wearing someone else's clothes. The difference comes down to the familiar question: what colour suit should a groom wear, and the answer is almost never one fixed colour.
Quick answer
What colour suit a groom should wear depends on his skin tone, his build and the time of the reception. Navy is the safest colour and suits most Vietnamese skin tones. Charcoal grey suits an evening reception, cobalt blue suits darker skin, and lighter colours such as silver grey suit a daytime reception. A tall, slim build suits lighter colours; a fuller build suits dark, plain colours.
What colour suit should a groom wear: four questions to answer first
Before you look at a colour chart, answer four questions. They narrow dozens of colours down to two or three options.
- Which skin-tone group do you belong to? Skin colour decides whether the suit colour contrasts or blends.
- What is your build? Tall and slim, short, full or broad-shouldered: each build has its own colour that “cheats” in its favour.
- When and where is the reception? A daytime outdoor lunch is completely different from an evening ballroom reception.
- What is the overall concept of the wedding? The colour of the bride's dress, the colour of the bouquet and the groomsmen's attire are all factors to consider.
A chart matching groom's suit colours to four Vietnamese skin tones
Vietnamese people span a fairly wide range of skin tones, so we divide them into four familiar groups. The chart below comes from experience in many groom consultations; it is not a hard rule, so use it as a starting point.
| Skin tone | Suit colours that usually suit | Colours to think twice about | Pairing suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair, slightly pink | Navy, charcoal, moss green, black (tuxedo) | Beige or cream close to the skin colour tends to wash out the face | White shirt, tie in deep blue or wine red |
| Medium, slightly yellow (the most common) | Navy, royal blue, charcoal, chocolate brown | Mustard yellow and lime green tend to dull the skin | White or light blue shirt, navy or bordeaux tie |
| Tan, light brown | Deep navy, cobalt blue, silver grey; for a daytime reception you can try light beige or cream | Earth brown and mid-grey tend to sink | Bright white shirt, contrasting tie |
| Deep tan | Silver grey, royal blue, ivory white, wine red | All-black or very dark brown tends to lose depth in photos | Bright white shirt, light pocket square |
One thing to keep in mind: the suit colour placed next to the skin affects not only the face but also how the photos come out in print. In wedding photos, navy and charcoal usually “photograph” better than pure black, because black easily loses detail in the folds of the jacket.
Choosing a groom's suit colour by build
- Tall and slim: suits light colours and fine horizontal checks or stripes; a double-breasted jacket makes the torso look fuller. Avoid all-black, which can make the figure look even “longer”.
- Short: choose plain colours, consistent from jacket to trousers; fine vertical stripes help lengthen the figure. Go for a single-breasted jacket that is not too long.
- Full: choose dark, plain colours such as deep navy or charcoal; avoid large checks and overly light colours. Favour a fit that is right at the shoulders instead of choosing a larger size to hide.
- Broad shoulders, slim waist: almost any colour suits. This is the build that suits a double-breasted jacket.
For builds that are hard to fit off the rack, made-to-measure is a much easier choice. Grooms can look at the groom's wedding suit service to see how Mon Amie advises on the concept by wedding and venue.
Suit colour by time and setting of the reception
- Lunch or outdoor reception: silver grey, light grey, light beige or a mid-tone navy. A light fabric in a light colour keeps you from overheating and matches the sunlight.
- Evening reception at a hotel: deep navy, charcoal, black or midnight blue. A tuxedo suits a formal evening reception best.
- Ancestral altar ceremony: usually understated, suiting navy or charcoal; if you wear an áo dài, the colour should harmonise with both sets of parents.
- Outdoor wedding photos: neutral colours such as grey, beige or cobalt blue all photograph well; avoid suits with very small patterns, which can create a blurring effect in photos.
If you are especially interested in navy, the article navy groom's suit: how to style it goes deep into pairing shirts, ties and shoes. And if you want to try white or a light colour, see white groom's suit: choosing the tone and styling.
Three colour mistakes grooms often make
1. Choosing a colour from online photos, without seeing the real fabric
Colours on a screen always differ from real life. Navy on a phone can look almost black under dim light, and light grey can lean blue in sunlight. Take the fabric sample close to a window to see it in daylight, then decide.
2. Choosing a colour that “clashes” with the bride and groomsmen
The groom should be the one who stands out most, but that does not mean being out of tune with the whole wedding. If the bride wears a white gown, a groom in a white or cream suit will easily blend into her in photos. Ask the bride about the colour of the bouquet and of the bridesmaids' dresses, so the tie, bow tie and pocket square share the same palette.
3. Chasing colours that are too fashionable
Blush pink, mustard yellow or bright green can be very eye-catching, but they can usually be worn only once and do not suit every build. If you want a suit you can reuse on many occasions after the wedding, choose navy or charcoal and create accents with the tie, bow tie and pocket square.
Tips from Mon Amie's master tailors
- Choose the fabric first, the style second. Colour and material decide the feeling, while the style is easier to adjust.
- See the fabric in the real fabric library, if you can. The collection in the Mon Amie fabric library shows you how the cloth looks under different lighting.
- Try the pairing before the wedding day. Place the fabric sample next to the bride's dress or the bouquet to see whether the two colours “work” together.
- Count backward from the wedding date. A made-to-measure suit needs several fittings and adjustments, so book early to avoid a rushed choice.
- To get a feel for colour and style yourself, you can try designing a suit online before coming to a showroom.
Frequently asked questions
What colour suit should a groom wear so he never goes wrong?
Navy. This colour suits almost every skin tone, every build and most reception venues. You can add accents with the tie, bow tie and pocket square without fear of clashing.
What colour suit looks good on a groom with dark skin?
Deep navy, cobalt blue, silver grey and ivory white create good contrast against tan skin. A daytime reception can try light beige. Think twice about earth brown or mid-grey, which tend to sink.
Does the groom's suit colour need to match the bride's dress?
It does not need to match, but it should harmonise. The safest way is to choose a navy or grey suit and use a tie, bow tie and pocket square in the same palette as the bouquet and the bridesmaids' dresses.
What colour suit should a groom wear to an outdoor reception?
Light grey, silver grey, light beige or a mid-tone navy, in a light, breathable fabric. Avoid solid black and heavy fabric, which are both hot and prone to overpowering the setting of the reception.
What colour wedding suit for a man who wants to reuse it after the wedding?
Navy or charcoal. Both colours wear well to work, to parties, to other weddings and for photo shoots. A tuxedo suits a formal evening but is hard to wear again outside formal occasions.
Closing thoughts
What colour suit should a groom wear? The one that makes you forget you are wearing a suit and feel only that you are happy. If you would like someone to choose with you, book a fitting so that a Mon Amie stylist can advise on colour by skin tone, build and wedding concept, or call the hotline and Zalo 0888.111.118.