The wedding invitation from a colleague has just arrived, short and to the point: “Smart attire.” Your wardrobe holds three T-shirts, two pairs of jeans and one shirt that once went to a job interview. The gap between “smart” and your own image is what gives young men aged 18–28 the biggest headache. So what should a young man wear to a wedding to look young without being told he looks sloppy? Below are six outfits, from easy to slightly more elaborate, plus the piece worth investing in first.
Quick answer
The safest choice for a young man at a wedding is a white or light blue shirt, dark trousers and leather shoes. For a younger look, add a blazer that fits at the shoulder or choose a light-coloured suit. Avoid white, ivory and cream, T-shirts with large prints, ripped jeans and sandals. Invest first in a well-fitting navy blazer or suit.
Read the mood of the reception before choosing
A family wedding and a wedding of friends your own age can be a whole dress code apart. Before opening your wardrobe, know three things: whether the reception is at a restaurant, a hotel or outdoors; whether it is at lunchtime or in the evening; and whether the invitation says “smart”, “smart casual” or “formal”. If you are not sure, go one notch smarter: being a little too formal is still more comfortable than being underdressed.
For formulas for men of every age, what men should wear to a wedding has a table of formulas for each type of reception.
6 outfits for a young man at a wedding
1. White shirt, navy trousers, leather shoes: the foundation for any reception
This is the outfit you should own first. A white shirt with a clean, standing collar, navy trousers that fit well at the waist, and a belt and leather shoes in the same tone. No tie is needed, but add a plain tie and you immediately move from “attending” to “attending, and prepared”.
2. Light blue shirt, grey trousers, thin blazer
Light blue looks fresh in photos and flatters Vietnamese skin tones. A thin blazer over the top gives the outfit a “frame”, enough to look serious yet comfortable when you take it off at the table.
3. Blazer with a plain T-shirt or polo
Only when the invitation says relaxed, or for a casual outdoor wedding. The T-shirt must be plain with a neat crew neck and no large logo; the blazer must fit at the shoulder. Wear chinos or dress trousers, and soft leather shoes or clean white leather sneakers. Miss any one of these conditions and the outfit tips toward “going out”.
4. Light-coloured suit: pale grey, beige or light blue
For daytime receptions, outdoor events, or when you want to stand out gently. Choose thin wool or linen to stay cool. Avoid white, ivory and cream, since those are the colours of the bride and groom.
5. Navy suit, white shirt, with or without a tie
An upgraded version of the first outfit. Skip the tie and undo the top button if the reception is relaxed; add a deep blue or wine-red tie if it is formal. This is the suit you will still be wearing to later weddings, as well as job interviews and company events.
6. Waistcoat, shirt and trousers when you don’t want to wear a jacket
An outdoor reception in the heat, and you don’t want to wear a blazer all evening. A waistcoat in the same tone as the trousers, a light-coloured shirt, and a tie or small bow tie look neat and slightly classic, and photograph beautifully. You can hang the blazer on the chair and put it on for the family photos.
Shoes, belt and the final details
The six outfits above only hold up when what is below and the small details are right too. For a young man at a wedding, these four things make the biggest difference:
- Polished leather shoes. Derbies or loafers in black or dark brown. If you don’t have leather shoes yet, invest in a pair before buying more clothes, because dull shoes drag the whole outfit down.
- A belt in the same tone as the shoes. Black shoes with a black belt, brown shoes with a brown belt; it is the simplest rule, and everyone notices it.
- Socks the same colour as the trousers. When you sit, the trouser legs ride up, and white socks or socks with unusual patterns show immediately.
- Tidy hair and nails. People look at a young man from head to toe, not only at the clothes.
One more practical piece of advice: try on the whole outfit at least three days before the wedding, walk around, sit down, raise your arms. If anything is uncomfortable, there is still time to change.
The first piece to invest in: a well-fitting navy blazer or suit
If you can only buy one piece, choose a navy blazer or suit. Navy suits every build and every skin tone, and goes with white and light blue shirts and with grey and beige trousers. More important is the fit at the shoulder: a jacket that is too wide in the shoulders makes you look as if you borrowed it from an adult.
On budget, Mon Amie’s Essential line starts from VND 4.8 million for a full set of jacket and trousers, measured individually for your build. You can see the price of each line in the made-to-measure price list and try out colours and styles yourself with the online suit design tool before visiting a showroom.
Mistakes young men often make at weddings
- Ripped jeans and T-shirts with large prints. They are easily read as disrespect to the hosts, especially at the wedding of an older person.
- Multicoloured sneakers. If you don’t have leather shoes, use clean white leather sneakers without prominent logos.
- Trousers too short, socks too bright. When you sit, the trouser legs ride up and expose your socks; choose socks the same colour as the trousers.
- A creased shirt and a limp collar. Iron it the evening before; the collar is the first detail people see.
- Dressing in the same tone as the groomsmen. Ask the groom before choosing a colour; what to wear to a close friend’s wedding will help you stand out just enough.
Tips from Mon Amie’s master tailors
Young people often choose loose jackets to be “comfortable”, but a loose jacket makes the shoulders droop, and the shoulder is the part that cannot be altered. Choose the jacket by the shoulder first, then have the tailor adjust the waist and sleeves. For slim builds, a slightly closer-fitting suit with natural shoulders looks stronger than a loose one; for fuller builds, dark colours and plain cloth make the body look neater.
Frequently asked questions
What should a young man wear to a wedding if he doesn’t have a suit?
A long-sleeved white or light blue shirt, dark trousers, and a belt and leather shoes in the same tone. Add a tie or a thin blazer and it is smart enough for most restaurant receptions.
What should a man wear to a wedding so as not to look old?
Choose well-fitting clothes in navy, grey or light blue instead of all black; a small-patterned tie or a pocket square in a soft colour adds a youthful look. Avoid loose jackets, wide-leg trousers and colours that are too dark.
What should I wear to a wedding to look elegant without spending much?
Invest in fit rather than brand: a navy suit or blazer made to fit at the shoulder, a crisp white shirt and polished leather shoes are elegant enough. Accessories need only be a pocket square or a neat watch.
Should a young man wear a suit to a friend’s wedding?
He can, if the reception is at a restaurant or hotel. If your friends are dressing more casually, choose a blazer and skip the tie so that you don’t stand too far out from the group.
Final word
What should a young man wear to a wedding? The shortest answer is: well fitted at the shoulder, clean, and right for the mood of the reception; one jacket that fits at the shoulder matters more than buying many pieces. When you are ready for a first suit, book a fitting at a Mon Amie showroom for advice on colour, cloth and cut to suit your build.