Summer Formal Dress Code

Summer is still one of the most popular seasons to get married (along with fall), but while the time of year is synonymous with sundresses, shorts, and short sleeves, many couples choose to have a formal event for their summer wedding. The dress code isn’t as strict as black tie, but you are expected to show up in attire that befits a special occasion. Think formal summer dress code, where you have more freedom to personalize your look, but you’ve dressed appropriately for a wedding or party.

Not sure where to start? No problem—Generation Tux has everything you need to dress to impress for a summer wedding dress code, whether it’s a wedding or other notable event. From suits and shirts to ties and accessories, we offer plenty of options for the guy who wants to make an impression when he walks through the door.

Here are some tips and inspiration to help you put together the perfect attire for a summer wedding dress code.

Select a suit

While a black tie dress code calls for a tuxedo, either a tuxedo or suit works for semi-formal summer wedding dress code. Since it’s warm weather season, though, a suit will really work best for a summer formal wedding, beach wedding, or a formal attire party.

If the wedding is outside during the day, your best bet is a lighter-colored suit since darker hues absorb the sun’s rays and take in more heat. With that in mind, you’ll want to be comfortable while still looking fashionable—something you can easily accomplish with one of Generation Tux’s suits. In fact, most of our suits are constructed with Super 130’s Merino Wool, which is a breathable fabric that will keep you looking and feeling cool all day long.

Our suits also come with matching vests, so if at any point during the wedding you want to take off your jacket, you’ll still look put together.

Go light in the day

For a daytime beach wedding or casual wedding, we love our Bright Blue Suit and Mystic Blue Suit. Both are sure to turn heads as you walk into the wedding venue. The Indigo Blue Suit is another bold choice, made with wool, silk, and linen blend for a lightweight compromise when it comes to formalwear. And the Postman Blue Suit gives the standard blue suit a modern take that will definitely help you stand out from the crowd.

If you’d rather stick with a neutral, you simply can’t go wrong with gray. Our Gray Sharkskin Suit and Cement Gray Suit are perfect if you want to add some bold-colored accessories to your summer formal ensemble. The Light Gray Plaid Suit shows off a unique gray plaid ombre pattern that gives formal wear a fresh feel.

And don’t forget about our British Tan Suit, which looks amazing with bold or pastel accessories.

Get darker at night

An evening wedding or special occasion might call for something a bit darker when it comes to your summer wedding attire. If you’re going to be in an air-conditioned venue, you can feel free to choose a classic Black Suit, Navy Blue Suit, or Charcoal Gray Suit. While they aren’t as formal as a black tie tuxedo, they still give off a timeless appearance that befits any summer formal event.

Our Slate Blue Suit—a compromise between Generation Tux’s Mystic collection and the classic navy look—is a sophisticated semi-formal option that can be customized in a number of ways. And our Iron Gray Suit is proof that gray is the new neutral.

Pick your shirt

When it comes to staying cool—and still appearing dapper—you can’t miss when you wear a white shirt, which gives any ensemble a crisp, clean look to summer formal attire. Our White Twill Spread Collar Shirt is constructed with 100 percent cotton, giving a soft feel and a surface sheen look. If you want to stand out in a color, go with our Pink Tickweave Shirt, Blue Honeycomb Shirt, or Purple Microcheck Shirt. All are lighter hues that look good under a variety of suit options and will keep you cool throughout the event.

Don’t forget a tie

The “formal” in the summer formal dress code means that—unless instructed otherwise by the hosts—you need to wear a tie. Since it’s summer, you don’t need to choose a bowtie unless you really love the look. Instead, a long necktie will work just fine.

Accessorize with style

The warmer weather doesn’t mean you have to forgo accessorizing your summer beach formal attire. There’s no shortage of options at Generation Tux. We offer pocket squares in practically every shade imaginable. And if boutonnieres aren’t in the wedding budget, or you’d rather go with something more eco-friendly, lapel pins can really bring your look to the next level. We have tons of shades in both rose and carnation styles. Accessories are the easiest way to tweak your summer wedding attire to make sure you nail the dress code!

Be bold with color

The season calls for bold and bright colors or pretty pastels. In fact, this is the perfect time to get playful with your summer formal wedding attire. Luckily, Generation Tux has an array of colors to choose from, as well as patterns including paisley, stripes, zig zags, and more, so you can easily coordinate with your wedding party, date, or simply find the hue that’s right for you. And because we know that choosing the best shade can be a challenge online, we will ship free swatches right to your home. This way, there won’t be any concerns about coordinating with your wedding party.

Add finishing touches

Whether you choose gold or silver, cufflinks can add some shine to your summer formal attire. But you don’t need to run out to get a pair for your wedding or special event—we have both gold and silver options.

Need a belt? Choose between brown and black to complete your summer formal ensemble. If you don’t have something that works with your suit, you can rent one from us.

Shoes can really make or break any ensemble, and guys might make the mistake of thinking that just because it’s a summer event, they can get away with less formal footwear for the wedding or party. But super casual shoes—sandals, flip flops, etc.—are a no-no, especially for a wedding (and even if the event is held outside). Instead, opt for a pair of dress shoes or loafers.

A growing trend for guys is wearing sneakers with a suit. If this is fine with the host then go for it, but they should be clean and stylish. Do not wear your workout shoes or the sneakers you don when running weekend errands.

And while socks are always needed at a black tie event, you might get away with not wearing them for a casual wedding, especially with loafers. If you’d be more comfortable wearing them, Generation Tux has a selection of colors and patterns so you can showcase your personal style without looking overly formal.

Now that you know what is needed to put together a stellar summer formal ensemble, it’s time to pick out your attire for any upcoming summer weddings. Take a look at our suit selection and then pair your pick with a stylish tie or bow tie, some accessories, a pair of shoes and socks. If you have any questions along the way, simply reach out to our award-winning customer service team.