The 3 most common sartorial mistakes at weddings are an ignored dress code, needless upstaging of the bride and groom, and an uncomfortable suit for a long evening. A few simple rules of etiquette are enough to avoid them. At ZAVATE, we cut occasion suits that solve all three at once: a made-to-measure cut, the right level of formality and natural fabrics that keep the wearer comfortable for hours on end.
1. Mistake 1: why can the dress code not be ignored?
Unless the wedding takes place on a beach or in a forest, or calls for national costume, a suit is a certainty. Although many invitations specify the dress code the couple want, many men treat as optional what is in fact obligatory. One sure way to disappoint the hosts is to dress below the required level of formality. It creates an unflattering contrast with the other guests and leaves the wearer feeling like a gatecrasher. For a man with nothing suitable to wear, the conclusion is simple: a polite refusal (on reasonable terms) is preferable to attendance (on unreasonable ones).
2. Mistake 2: why is sartorial one-upmanship tactless?
Some see a wedding as a fine opportunity to show off. In practice, that means clothes more elegant than those of the bride and groom. Like it or not, the centre of attention at a wedding belongs to the couple, not the guests. Confusion arises above all when the invitation states no dress code. Even guests following the same dress code can differ. The most common code at weddings is black tie. Today, however, it can also be interpreted in iridescent midnight blue. A guest in black standing next to a groom in midnight blue is therefore an example of upstaging. Here, a simple question to the couple about what they plan to wear can be a lifesaver.
3. Mistake 3: how can an outfit avoid spoiling the evening?
A wedding means many hours in the same clothes: music, dancing and a lavish meal. The clothes must accommodate all of it. A comfortable fit, achieved with clothes made to measure, is essential. Shoes in stiff leathers (alligator, ostrich, cordovan) are a sure road to disaster. Box calf shoes, worn in a little before the wedding, are the answer. A crupon leather sole with a thin layer of grippy rubber is even better. Then the dance floor is ready for a tour de force.
In sum, an ignored dress code, (un)intentional upstaging and an uncomfortable suit are the pitfalls every wedding guest should heed. Avoided, these mistakes spare the guest a sense of not belonging and can make the wedding unforgettable. For those aware of these mistakes but unsure of the ABC of men’s formal style, we have covered that subject on the blog too.
