Fall Weddings Are More Popular Than Ever. Here’s How to Dress for One (The Right Way)

WEDDINGS CAN be hard to dress for, and this isn’t limited to those directly involved; being a mere attendant requires some degree of planning. I’ve attended quite a few weddings over the last year, both as a groomsman and as a regular guest, both with their own sartorial challenges. (I actually found it more stressful not being in the wedding party, at least in one aspect: I had to pick out my own outfit. This also allowed for a little creativity.)

I covered some options for summer weddings a few months back, and just like that, we’re on to the next season. The fall has arguably become the season for weddings; in fact, October recently overtook June as the most popular month for weddings in the U.S. I can attest to this; I was in two separate ones last October.

Summer and fall weddings have quite a few differences. You can get away with some more “fun” looks in the summer, and you can get a little more creative with the materials (linen, seersucker, etc.). Fall weddings are typically a little more buttoned-up, but there’s a little wiggle room there, too.

I’ll go through some of the easiest ways for guys to dress for an autumn affair—with different wedding types in mind—to get you off the ground. We also included plenty of price points because, as everyone knows, weddings can get expensive fast.

The Traditional Wedding

We’ll start with what we consider a traditional wedding: a separate ceremony at a church, chapel, or the wedding venue without a black-tie dress code. This is about as classic as it gets, so you don’t have to go overboard—but we do recommend wearing a timeless suit. Our style team has tested plenty of affordable menswear brands offering solid options that approximate the look and fit of made-to-measure tailoring. One of them is the Black Tux, an upstart that offers suits for both rental and purchase, with virtual and in-person fittings to match you with the closest standard size. The prices are great, too: the Essential Suit is just under $300 all in. We also happened to score a 20 percent off code for the Black Tux, made exclusively for Men’s Health readers. Just use code MH20 at checkout (minimum of $295). The code’s good until October 31. Most of its higher-priced suits also include a rental option, but for the extra $100 or so, we’d recommend just buying one. The True Navy is a safe color you can wear year-round. The Grey Suit is a step up and is made from a heavier—but still breathable—merino wool. Perfect for the autumn temperatures.

A classic dress shirt is more than okay, but if you want to stand out in an otherwise pretty basic look, you can go with a classic twill dress shirt like this one from Brooks Brothers. You can get a little bit more creative with the tie, but nothing too crazy; the left-to-right diagonal stripes of a classic rep tie keep it distinguished. A Classic Textured Solid Tie is always a safe bet, too. Baby blue and pink go well with a gray suit, and navy, black, and red look better with gray. The shoes are easy, too: black plain-toe oxfords for grays, and these simple brown Astorflex Loafers with a crisp navy blue.

Use Code MH20 at The Black Tux

For the Black Tie Ceremony

Black-tie affairs probably require even less creativity, but there are definitely ways to push the envelope to stand out. The safe choice, of course, is the classic tux. If you plan to need one on multiple occasions, we also love that the Black Tux once again gets top marks; its Essential option is also under $300. There are some pricier options you can also rent, but the Essential Tux is low-key enough to rock at any formal occasion. SuitShop is another upstart offering ready-to-wear tuxedos at accessible prices, including several options under $300. Accessories-wise, you can opt for a super fancy pair of onyx cufflinks from one of our favorite watch brands, Shinola, but something a little more budget-friendly is more than okay.

Nowadays, you don’t have to go all-black, at least depending on the event. But if you do deviate, you’d better make it count. Like upgrading to a double-breasted suit, for example. The Classic Fit Double-Breasted Wool Pinstripe 1818 Suit elevates your look without making you look like a Prohibition-era mobster (surprisingly, a very fine line).

The other big component of all of this: your shoes. You probably don’t want to go with a loafer; an oxford or derby shoe is the better option. Our favorite: Cole Haan’s Hawthorne Oxfords, a classic dress shoe that’s made with the brand’s famously comfortable insoles so your dogs will stay happy for hours. It’s also versatile enough to wear at dressy events or in a more casual office vibe. In other words, you’ll be getting a lot of use out of it.

Cocktail Wedding Fits

Cocktail weddings give you a little more freedom than a traditional one. Here, you can rock a classic suit or a nice blazer and slacks, and you wouldn’t be wrong either way. The classic Ludlow tux from J.Crew gives off serious old-school cocktail jacket vibes, and it’s reserved for swankier occasions. Todd Snyder’s Italian Lightweight Sutton Jacket is another high-end option that’s both breathable and easy to wear throughout the night. If you wear blazers regularly, you’ll also get plenty of use out of this, even into the hotter months. Todd Snyder also makes our favorite pair of relaxed-fit chinos that check a lot of boxes for us. The Relaxed Fit Japanese Selvedge Chino is a steep departure from the ones we wear to the office, which is why it’s such a legit option for dressier occasions.

If the baggier fit (and higher price tag) is scaring you off a bit, Reigning Champ makes an ultra-breathable cotton-twill chino that wears more like a standard dress pant. They’re comfortable, breathable, and have a little added stretch; you’ll get a lot of use out of them outside the wedding. The other big component of all of this: your shoes. You probably don’t want to go with a loafer; an Oxford or derby shoe is the better option. Our style team loves Allen Edmonds’. It’s made with calfskin leather, with a surprisingly light-yet-cushioned outsole that’s comfortable enough to use all night.

A Barn Wedding

Barns have since had a huge come-up and are now a hugely popular wedding venue. Regardless of your stance on barn weddings, you have to dress a little differently. Vineyard weddings (and really any outdoor event) live in that same category. If you’re looking at a late-fall event, you’ll want something a little warmer. The Grey Plaid Wool Suit is a step up in that department without being too overbearing; the subtle designs also scream fall. You can also go with the blazer-and-dress-pants route. Abercrombie’s A&F Collins Blazer is a fantastic budget option, and the Olive Stripe colorway similarly gives off fall vibes. It’s easy to pair with dressier chinos, like the Straight-Fit Cotton Advantage Chino Pants from Brooks Brothers. They’re essentially dress pants with a certain chinoesque comfort.

If you do go this route, you can have a little fun with the undershirt; Brooks Brothers’ Friday Shirt can add some flair to your getup. Madewell’s Johnny-Collar Sweater Polo is also a nice departure from your traditional button-down (and a lot more comfortable, too). If the wedding isn’t all that fancy, you can get away with rocking some of the most comfortable dress shoes/sneakers out there: Cole Haan’s Zerogrand Remastered Wing Tip Oxfords.

The Destination Wedding

The destination wedding can definitely be a challenge, depending on how close you are to the person (or people) getting married. They’re always a great time, though, and you can get similarly creative. We suggest a travel blazer; you’re already shelling out a lot of money for flights and accommodations, so you can save a few bucks by not checking a full suit. Our style director, Christian Gollayan, recently did a full review of the Bonobos Jetsetter Knit Blazer. He described it as a “lifesaver” when traveling. You can definitely rock it at a fall destination wedding, especially considering the hardworking knit construction. For a lighter, beachy vibe, Buck Mason’s Capitola Linen Carry-On Jacket is my own go-to. It holds its shape well for linen, and some of the darker colors work well for any season.

Pants are easy to pack, so we’d suggest going with something that helps you stand out. The Bonobos Stretch Weekday Warrior Dress Pants are the perfect counterpart to the Jetsetter, and you can wear them around the office when you’re not in wedding mode. The Italian Linen Sutton Trousers are a luxury pick, and the white colorway pairs particularly well with a navy blazer for a classic look. They’re also a lot easier to pack than regular dress pants. If the destination wedding is beach-themed, you can even get away with rocking a tee underneath your blazer. You don’t want to go with something too casual, and the Heavyweight Jersey OG T-Shirt from Reigning Champ is anything but. It’s well-made, fits like a glove, and is a great way to show off some jewelry if you like to wear a chain or two.