Menswear Formalwear Trends for 2023 Weddings

It is estimated that more than 200,000 couples get married each year in the UK. With this in mind, we asked our CEO Mike Dobell and Senior Menswear Designer Grant Durrell for their predictions into the next big formalwear trends for 2023 weddings, focusing on menswear. Read on to find out more… 

Men’s Formalwear Trends for Spring/Summer Nuptials 

Here are our predictions for men’s formalwear trends for spring/summer weddings –  

Groom

It’s hard to look past the classic tuxedo or morning suit. These have been staple outfits for decades. Men wanting to look traditional and their best on the happiest day of their life look no further. For men that have got themselves in tip top shape then look towards the slim fit versions of modern classics. Our slim fit notch lapel tuxedo and slim fit luxury morning suit come with all the elegance of the traditional look but bring the garment into the 21st century. 

Formal double breasted vintage style waistcoats are likely to be on display around many weddings this summer. With inspiration coming from the Crown on Netflix and with the Royal family in the spotlight formal dressing is on the rise and a double-breasted dove grey or gold buff waistcoat is at the top of the list. 

If you’re opting for smart but the morning suit is not your thing then a classic wedding suit is a perfect smart choice. Spring Summer 23 trends will be relaxed tailoring with bold and bright colours coming through. Linen with softer shoulder and buggy lined jackets will be the order of the day for mid-summer weddings. With the hot summer last year and forecasters saying we are in for a repeat this year cotton linen blend breathable suits will be in. Google search volume suggests searches for linen are up 25% year on year. 

Best man

It is important for the best man not to upstage the groom in his outfit (he can do that in his speech). Best man trends vary less year on year… and some match the groom, some don’t. It really is personal preference. However smart is the order of the day for the best man. He needs to look like a responsible (especially to the bride’s family) friend and therefore his dress etiquette is at the forefront and will be noticed. To play it safe a smart plain 3 piece suit will tick every box. Adding a waistcoat provides an air of formality to the outfit. 

Groomsmen

Weddings are back with bang post covid. Many couples are using 2023 as the year they can safely tie the nuptials with all family and friends present. Wedding venue bookings, according to the Guardian newspaper, are up to 55% year on year with May at full capacity and people having to resort to a Monday or Tuesday if they want to marry this year. Grooms and their brides have had time to think about the outfit for the special day. Many are spending more time researching and Google search volume shows in January there is a 24% uplift in search volume year on year for ‘groomsmen outfits’.  

Father of the bride

The Father of the brides plays a prominent role in the wedding. If you’re opting for a traditional wedding he will play a prominent role with aisle walks, speeches, toasts, and dances. If not, he still is the father of the bride and guests will seek him out. Therefore, he needs to look good and be coordinated with the style of your wedding. The father of the bride traditionally subtly distinguishes themselves from the groomsmen with a subtle nod on their outfit towards the bride. As bold and bright colours are trending, a statement boutonniere or tie will be the way to go.  

Male wedding guests

With the demand for weddings coming back strong, people working from home in joggers in the thousands the desire to dress up for an occasion will be strong. One of the key mental health guides is taking care in how you dress. Fashion United believes there is a distinct relationship between mental well-being and the way you dress.  

With that said you need to know what is the style of wedding you are going to? Luxury linen at a summer wedding will always hit the spot. This year pastel pinks, blues and greens will be trending. At Dobell, our new 2023 linen range is launching here in mid-February. Many of the collection is eco-friendly and made from sustainable fabrics. People are now more conscious of what they are wearing and where it’s from. People simply want to know more and are more responsible about their surroundings.  

Men’s Formalwear Trends for Autumn/Winter Nuptials 

Here are our predictions for men’s formalwear trends for autumn/winter weddings –  

Groom

Traditional wedding suits will always be in fashion and increasingly so in Winter. Sales show grooms prefer a more traditional look for winter weddings. A black wedding suit jacket followed by a black top hat and grey striped trousers, paired with a grey waistcoat are the basic items for a traditional morning suit wedding. 

If you want to wear a traditional British wedding suit, stick to the classic black and grey combo in a morning suit (at least up to 7pm!). Waistcoats for weddings are almost compulsory if you wear a morning suit, but you can add an air of modernity and personality beyond the usual silver and cream men’s waistcoats for weddings. Blue, red, green, or patterned are more and more common nowadays. Try to choose a double-breasted waistcoat on top of a crisp white dress shirt – this is the best colour for a dress shirt. Wedding ties and wedding cravats are compulsory if you wear a traditional wedding outfit; however, men’s pocket squares can be avoided. And never ever wear a bow tie with a morning suit, just with tuxedos. 

If the big day is close to Christmas – anytime in December qualifies here – what could be more uplifting and seasonal than adding a dash of crimson red, gold or silver to your groom’s attire? Dark greens – reminiscent of Christmas trees and holly – are also festive and flattering, and will team beautifully with on-trend tweeds. 

The latest trends on colour are navy blue with all its variations and greys… there are also grooms that might chose a classic black suit. However this depends on the overall colour scheme and personal preference. Navy is excellent as a base colour for a late autumn or winter wedding suit, and can be combined with red and deep burgundy for a touch of passion and warmth. We are seeing aubergine used in this way too – a fabulous deep purple that works wonderfully when co-ordinated with elements of the bridal scheme. Remember colour themed accessories – scarves, hats, gloves, braces, and socks – can all add to the cosy, layered look that brings the winter groom’s wardrobe to life. 

Go for the dashing ‘Lord of the Manor’ look with an English heritage brown suit, worn with country-style earth-green tweed waistcoat and matching bow tie. Or, if you see yourself of more of a ‘hipster’, a velvet suit is perfect for winter weddings and mixes vintage and fashionista. 

Best man

Formalwear trends for Autumn Winter are ever changing. The vintage inspired suits with wider lapels are making a comeback along with double breasted suits. On the colour front expect more tonal browns and beiges. Much of modern day tailoring has a modern twist on vintage classics. Social media has driven this trend with Facebook data showing a 35% increase in double breasted/ vintage suits photo shares compared to pre-pandemic volumes. The outfit of the best man will be dictated by the groom. 

Groomsmen

For a luxury and opulent wedding look, why not delve into velvet? Velvet jackets are sure to be a hit from A/W grooms in 2023. Cosy, textured, classy and really on-trend. Or, add a touch of pattern to the groom’s suit with a check suit. From small checks to larger prints there is a check suit to suit every groom. Here at Dobell we have all the check styles a groom will need including the must have winter tweed checks. Now that will be a trend setter this A/ W. 

Tweed suits are a perfect way to stay warm, but also add a luxury vintage country vibe to a wedding outfit. They add a classic texture that isn’t typically seen in a workplace but flows with sophistication at a wedding to make you feel really special on your big day. Adding a pocket watch will top the look off and uses class. 

Mismatch groomsmen style is also predicted to be popular – an ultra-fashionable groomsmen’s suit is a mismatched look. Opt for different fabrics, patterns, colours and footwear to really have fun with this trend setting style. 

Father of the bride

Tweed will come into its own in Autumn. With the changing colours, co-ordinate the father of the bride’s look to the theme of the wedding. Adding a subtle nod to the bride and you will have a very on-trend father of the bride. Remember it’s the small, little pieces that will make all the difference and get guests going I can’t believe how fashionable he is. Here at Dobell we have the UK’s largest range of tweed menswear, as well as exclusive Harris Tweed designs. 

Male wedding guests

A/W 23 trends will definitely be out with the old and in with the new. With the covid and the cost-of-living crisis likely to be behind us, people will want to dress to impress. 

Social media & TV series is influencing our views more. Fashion Network agrees with this view especially on popular Netflix TV series. With Dobell recently featured in The Crown on Netflix there is likely to be a demand for more formal wedding dress too.  

Combine this with people wearing joggers at home and watching formal dressing on TV people will aspire to dress formal especially at weddings. Here at Dobell we provide everything a wedding guest could need from affordable luxury suits and morning suits to traditional black tie attire and if your wedding style is vintage we’ve got you covered. Formal wear really does start at Dobell 

Picking Your Wedding Suit

While wedding experts recommend searching for the wedding dress at least 12 months before the big day, grooms don’t need to buy a suit with such long notice or spend a fortune on it – cheap wedding suits can be as good as bespoke ones. Considering the venue and style will help you understand the formality of the suit and the dress code on your own wedding day. 

These are the main things to consider when deciding the groom’s suits: 

1. Type of wedding

Whether it’s a religious commemoration or an outdoor informal wedding, a morning suit jacket doesn’t depend just on the moment of the day, but the wedding style. Do you imagine wearing a morning suit, waistcoat, and top hat when your partner wears a boho outfit? Unless this is what you’re looking for, remember to decide the style and dress code so you can choose the best  wedding suit option. Some surprises are lovely on your wedding, but you might regret a lack of dress code at the wedding when some attendees dress more formal than the groom. It can happen! 

2. Time of the day and year

When looking for a perfect groom’s suit you have to select the perfect suit depending on the time of the day. Wedding suits for the groom and suitable dress codes are different in the morning than in the evening. Some grooms can wear a morning jacket in the evening and others a tuxedo in the morning. But it’s not what traditionalists would recommend. When deciding on a suit style, think about the season when the occasion is going to be held – three-piece linen suits are great for hot days, and British wool fabrics and men tweed suits are perfect for winter days. 

3. The colour 

There’s no reason to go for one colour suit or another depending on the day, but the most popular colours for men’s wedding suits are blue, grey, and black. Generally, the groom uses the colour of their waistcoat in a three-piece suit or in some men’s accessories, so they can combine beautifully with their other half’s shoes, accessories, or even flower bouquet. 

When it comes to shoes, wedding shoes for men are usually the easiest part of the outfit when dressing in a traditional morning coat and morning dress: all black. If possible, black socks and black Oxford shoes are the best formal shoes selection for a traditional morning suit or even a Peaky Blinders suit inspiration. Glossy shoes are not approved by traditionalists, but they will look better in black-tie dress code. Either brown shoes, grey, or other shoe colours would be fine, and they are more likely to be combined in informal weddings. 

Other Advice for Male Wedding Guests

When it comes to picking an outfit for a wedding, as a guest, consider the dress code – is it traditional, black tie, or more informal? Black tie is considered one of the strictest dress codes, reserved for formal events such as weddings. Black tie refers to the formal dress code that includes either a tuxedo or a dinner jacket. This look usually includes a tuxedo jacket with satin lapels and matching dress trousers with satin side seam, a crisp white pleated or ribbed dress shirt, bow tie, black tie waistcoat, and cummerbund. In terms of formality, black tie is less formal than white tie, and more elegant than business dress. 

For an informal wedding, wearing a suit without a tie is a possible alternative. Or you can pair your trousers and shirt with a bow tie and add a retro touch with a pair of men’s braces.  

What is your wedding suit made of? With people’s minds increasingly conscious of what your outfit is made from we at Dobell are proud to offer recycled and sustainable fabrics within our wedding collection. So you can not only dress smart on the wedding day, but rest assured you’re doing a little bit for our planet we all share.  




*Predicted trends and insight shared in January 2023