What should a man wear to a fall wedding in 2024? Fall wedding suits that are dress code-appropriate and make him look and feel like a million bucks!
A couple of years ago, I attended a friend’s September wedding in Sun Valley, Idaho. The view? Stunning. The couple? Perfect for each other. The dress code? Western-Tinged Cocktail Attire.
For the most part, this resulted in a few festive bolo ties and 10-gallon hats among the men in tasteful fall wedding suits and jacket-and-trouser combos.
Then there was the guy who stuffed his suit pants into a pair of dusty brown cowboy boots.
Sure, he was on-theme, but it wasn’t a look I’d recommend.
When it comes to dressing for a wedding, your outfit only needs to be a few things:
It needs to fit properly. It needs to adhere to the dress code set forth by the couple. And it needs to move with you as you crouch, bounce and spring into the air repeatedly during “Shout” by The Isley Brothers.
From there, let your personality — and the personality of the happy couple! — be your guide.
Maybe that means a bold shirt sans necktie. An unexpected pocket square. Bright red socks poking out from your tuxedo pants.
The tl;dr? There are so many ways to make a classic foundation feel fresh and not identical to the wedding outfit you wore to all the other weddings this year.
Personally, I love a fall wedding. Warm, sunny afternoon ceremonies are followed by pleasant sunset cocktail hours and crisp, tented receptions. Heaven!
So, make the most of this idyllic time of year, and excuse to get dressed up, by using the wedding style guide below to jazz up your fall wedding looks. And if you’re going to wear cowboy boots, for god’s sake, make sure they fit under your pants, okay?!
Click below to jump to a section:
- A no-dress code fall wedding
- Casual fall wedding
- Semi-formal fall wedding
- Cocktail dress code
- Black-tie optional fall wedding
- Formal fall wedding
Below, what to wear to a FALL wedding, a 2024 style guide for men:
Keep scrolling to discover what to wear to a fall wedding in this dress code-decoding style guide from Team SG. From casual wedding outfits for men to men’s black tie wedding attire, you’ll find fall wedding looks for guys to suit every kind of happy occasion.
A no-dress code fall wedding
Get funky
You get a fall wedding invitation that says “Come as you are!” And you think, But how I am involves basketball shorts from high school and a t-shirt I won at my kid’s spring carnival.
In this case, opt for a suit worn casually, or suiting separates.
A navy blazer with dress pants, for instance, is an ensemble that always works. In the fall, you could go with a white dress shirt to keep things simple, or have some fun with the season and opt for a turtleneck, or shirt in a fun fall color.
You’ll look stylish and appropriate, without looking like you’re trying too hard.
And remember, this is still a special occasion—so tuck your shirt in!
Odds are you’ll be the best-dressed guest no matter what, but why not really drive the point home with your finishing touches.
For accessories, you could loop on a Western-style belt, or slip into suede loafers.
Bottom line:
When you’re deciding what to wear to a no-dress code fall wedding, have fun with your outfit, and remember that a little effort goes a long way.
The goal? Look effortlessly stylish and put-together.
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Casual Fall Wedding
Cool and comfortable
From September through November, a casual wedding might mean a ceremony held outdoors. So you’ll want to check with the happy couple to know how best to layer.
A suit is always a good idea. You just may want to add a sweater vest, or swap the shirt and tie for a cozy turtleneck that’s not too bulky.
From there, take a few liberties with your accessories!
A pocket square with a paisley print. Velvet slippers. Burgundy socks. You do you.
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Semi-formal fall wedding
Turn it up a notch
What should men wear to a wedding where the dress code is (almost boringly) normal?
A suit. A dark, wool suit that honors the event with sophistication and a modicum of effort on your part.
Semi formal dress codes follow a lot of the same guidelines as a formal dress code, but allows for more playful, stylish details.
When it comes to semi formal attire for men for a fall wedding, you want the overall effect of your outfit to be dressy, but not rigid.
Pinstripes, double-breasted jackets, or even a Nehru collar are all ways to set yourself apart from the rest of the guests. As a finishing touch, you could swap in a nice pair of leather tassel loafers instead of standard lace-ups.
The effect is effortless elegance.
Bottom line?
Avoid the urge to dress like you do for the office and kick your favorite suit up a notch with smart and stylish details that feel unique to your personal style.
It’s up to you to judge based on the couple’s vibe, but for semi-formal weddings you can usually opt out of wearing a tie. If you do, leave the top button of your shirt undone and accessorize with just a pocket square.
The Cocktail Dress Code Fall Wedding
Jazz up your look
Your gurl loves a cocktail, and a cocktail party dress code? Even better.
First of all, you’re not alone in feeling perplexed. A “cocktail attire” dress code for men is slightly vague.
And second, I get it. A cocktail dress code can be intimidating to interpret if you’re not a typically adventurous dresser.
For the uninitiated, cocktail—you’ll also see “festive” sometimes on invites, which basically means the same thing—is a small step away from semi-formal.
What sets it apart? The permission and even encouragement to add some stylish flair to your outfit.
Meaning? Shades of fall like burnt orange, olive green, or even chocolate brown. A suit in a beautifully textured fabric like tweed.
A suit in an unexpectedly rich fall color like burgundy or forest green with a dark tie completely fits the bill for this dress code. Obviously you don’t have to buy a new suit for every wedding you attend, but if something like this is hanging in your closet already, why not bust it out for the occasion?
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Black tie optional fall wedding dress code
Go for broke
If you thought I was going to tell you to wear a dark suit to a wedding where a tux is merely optional, think again.
As a society, we so rarely get to truly dress up these days, so why not do it really, really right?!
A well-tailored tuxedo is the pinnacle of masculine elegance! If you have one that fits you well, I say it’s your duty to wear it.
Formal fall wedding
Let’s talk black-tie
To me and most women I know, there are few things more attractive than a man in full black tie regalia.
The formality of a black tie wedding means you have an excuse to show off your perfectly draped shawl collar jacket, with a single-button defining your silhouette. A daring stripe along your pants that draws the eye down to a perfect break above your dressiest shoes.
If I had to guess, I’d say you probably don’t have too many opportunities to wear a tuxedo. So take it when you have it!
A bow tie is required if you’re going with a tuxedo. So pick one that’s formal without being too stuffy—like a nice dot print!
Oh, and do I need to mention that you should learn to tie a bow tie If you haven’t already? Because it’s a fun life skill to have, and a black tie wedding is a great excuse to add it to your style toolbox!
For fall weddings, a velvet slipper makes for a dapper alternative to classic black lace-up dress shoes.
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Want 1-on-1 style support for all your wedding dress codes for men conundrums? Team SG can help!
If you’re ready to tear up the dance floor looking like a star at all your weddings but don’t want to do the hard work of putting all those outfits together, consider teaming up with a stylist from Style Girlfriend to help you plan your perfect looks!
Ready to seriously improve your closet and your confidence? Learn more here.
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