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How To Dress Well

How to dress: Wedding

Going to a wedding and want to look as good as Mick Jagger did in 1971? Read GQ's complete guide to what to wear in any social situation.

Are you the groom? If so, ask your fiancée. As

Hardy Amies says, "It is the bride's day. It is, therefore, for her to decide what sort of wedding she wants." Take your cue from her accordingly: meringue = morning dress, black tie or white tie, short white dress = suit, anything else = go crazy.

Timing is crucial. If the ceremony is before 6pm, don't wear a tux. If it's after 6pm then - guess what? - some kind of eveningwear will be called for, or at the very least a dark suit.

The invitation is a good guide. If it's a full-on "stiffy" on expensive card of a tasteful thickness with exquisite calligraphy and a watermark then err on the side of formal.

Still unclear on the dress code? "Morning dress" means single-breasted morning coat, striped trousers, shirt, tie and waistcoat (no exceptions). "White tie" means they're kind of a big deal. "Black tie" means bow tie, unless the wedding is in LA. "Black tie optional" means opt for it. Cocktail means a dark suit with something of the night about it. "Formal" means suit, probably still dark (unless they really mean black tie - check). "Informal" means lose the tie. As a rule of thumb, overdressed is better than underdressed but don't ever be more formal than the groom.

A wedding suit should leave no one in any doubt as to whether you have come straight from the office. A peak lapel is snazzier than a notch and a one-button or two-button jacket is less corporate than three. Four means you are Paul Weller.

If it's a daytime wedding and morning dress is not on the agenda then navy and grey are, as ever, the safest and most versatile suit colours. In both cases, opt for a shade less dark than you would for work. It's a party, right? Lighten up.

If in doubt, tone down your neckwear. It's a celebration of the ties that bind, not the ties that blind. You can't go wrong with block colours. You can go very, very wrong with patterns.

If the wedding is in summer and especially if it is abroad, consider linen. Carefully. White on the other hand should not be considered unless you are John Travolta, the man from Del Monte or the bride.

In almost all cases your shoes should be black lace-ups or Oxfords, including morning dress, white tie and black tie. (Patent is acceptable and indeed preferable for the latter.)

Not acceptable: trainers, flip flops, mandals.

Avoid jeans. Especially if it's your wedding.

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