6 ways to add personality to a formal wedding suit.
Formal doesn’t have to mean boring. In fact, some of the best-dressed grooms are the ones who opt for a pretty formal wedding suit, but with enough personality to make the whole look undeniably them.
Because that’s where the magic happens. Adding personality to a wedding suit doesn’t have to mean a bright orange dinner jacket with leopard-print lining and a top hat (although, if that’s your vibe, kudos to you!). Often, it’s the little touches that make the biggest impact.
So, how do you add personality to a formal wedding suit while still keeping within the energy, style and season of your wedding?
PIN FOR LATER: THE ULTIMATE WEDDING SUIT CHECKLIST
Why personality matters when choosing a formal wedding suit.
Like it or not, your wedding day is one of those rare occasions where you’re probably going to be caught on camera from every conceivable angle. It stands to reason that you’re going to want to look good in those photos.
But, not just good for now. Good in 10, 20 and 40 years. You want to look back at those photos and think:
“Yep. That was absolutely me.”
And not:
“Why the hell did I let Pinterest dress me?!”
The good news is that formal wedding suits don’t mean you have to follow a set of rigid rules. The best styling tends to come from taking something classic and adding a few carefully considered details that make it personal.
Essentially, you don’t need every element of your outfit to shout for attention. Pick a few areas where you can inject some personality and let your suit do its thing.
1. Start with the suit itself.
Before you even think about accessories, start with the suit.
If you’re going formal, remember that it doesn’t automatically mean black, navy or charcoal. Yes, those colours are classic (and great choices), but you can also explore other colours if they’re more your cup of tea.
Think:
- Deep forest green
- Rich burgundy
- Chocolate brown
- Slate blue
- Soft stone
- Warm beige
- Textured grey
- Midnight blue
And it isn’t just about the colour. Fabric can totally change the feel of your formal wedding suit. A beautifully textured flannel will look very different from a sleek wool. Velvet adds a touch of drama. Tweed brings in some heritage character. A subtle check or herringbone introduces interest without screaming LOOK AT MY SUIT.
Try some on, see what feels good and trust in the expert’s advice (hellllllo!).
H&G top tip: Don’t automatically choose the safest colour because it’s a wedding. Think about what you actually enjoy wearing. If you’d never voluntarily wear a grey suit in real life, why would you suddenly want to spend your wedding day in one?
2. Play with texture.
Texture is one of the easiest ways to make a formal wedding suit feel more interesting. It’s also subtle enough to keep the overall look sophisticated.
Think brushed wool, flannel, tweed, velvet, textured silk or even a beautifully woven tie. Small details that level things up.
This approach works particularly well if you’re committed to a classic colour palette. A navy suit with a textured tie and pocket square can have far more personality than a plain navy suit with standard accessories. Likewise, a grey three-piece in a beautiful wool can feel incredibly distinctive without straying too far from traditional tailoring.
3. Make your accessories mean something.
This is the really fun part.
Your wedding suit accessories don’t just have to be there because someone told you every groom needs a pocket square: use them to tell a story.
Perhaps your grandfather’s cufflinks are making an appearance. Maybe you’ve chosen a pocket square in the colour of your partner’s bouquet. Or you’ve got a tie made from a fabric that reminds you of somewhere special.
Maybe you simply really, really like an excellent bowtie.
Some of our favourite ways to add personality include:
- A patterned or textured tie
- A pocket square with a pop of colour
- Vintage or heirloom cufflinks
- A statement watch
- A distinctive tie bar
- A bold buttonhole
- Personalised embroidery
- A lapel pin
- Braces in an unexpected colour
The important thing is not to throw everything at the wall at once. Remember: one statement accessory can often have far more impact than six competing ones.
SAVE FOR LATER: THE ART OF SUIT ACCESSORIES
4. Don’t underestimate the waistcoat.
A waistcoat is one of our favourite ways to add personality to a formal wedding suit because it gives you another layer to play with.
With a waistcoat, you can keep your jacket and trousers traditional while introducing a completely different colour or texture underneath.
And there are so many ways to do it. A contrasting waistcoat can bring warmth to a classic navy suit. A patterned one can add character to a formal look.
However, one of the biggest benefits of adding a waistcoat to your formal wedding suit? You can take your jacket off later without looking like you’ve simply given up halfway through the reception.
You can thank us later for that one.
A waistcoat is one of our favourite ways to add personality to a formal wedding suit because it gives you another layer to play with.
With a waistcoat, you can keep your jacket and trousers traditional while introducing a completely different colour or texture underneath.
And there are so many ways to do it. A contrasting waistcoat can bring warmth to a classic navy suit. A patterned one can add character to a formal look.
However, one of the biggest benefits of adding a waistcoat to your formal wedding suit? You can take your jacket off later without looking like you’ve simply given up halfway through the reception.
You can thank us later for that one.
5. Let your shoes do some of the talking.
Shoes are an easy one to overlook – particularly when you’re concentrating on the suit itself. But trust us when we say they’re an excellent way to portray more of yourself on your big day.
Of course, traditional black leather shoes will always have their place, particularly with very formal weddingwear. But depending on the dress code and overall look, you could consider:
- Brown brogues
- Burgundy leather
- Suede
- Chelsea boots
- Loafers
- A statement pair of dress shoes
We recommend pairing your shoes with the venue. A classic leather brogue works beautifully for a countryside or barn wedding, while a sleek loafer can feel right at home in a city venue or something a little more contemporary. Getting married somewhere grand? You can keep things polished with a classic Oxford.
H&G top tip: Make sure your shoes are up to the job. Your wedding day is probably not the time to discover that your favourite shoes pinch after 20 minutes. Give them a proper test run beforehand – ideally with the socks you’ll be wearing on the day – and get them looking their best before they make their wedding debut.
6. Don’t forget the shirt.
The shirt might sit underneath everything else, but that doesn’t mean it has to be an afterthought.
A classic crisp white shirt is always going to work with a formal wedding suit. But depending on your suit and dress code, you can play around with collars, cuffs, subtle textures and even colour.
A pale blue shirt with navy tailoring? Classic. A textured ivory shirt with a brown suit? Gold star. A wing collar with a morning suit? Traditional for a reason.
And if you’re wearing a waistcoat, remember that the shirt will still be visible around the collar and cuffs – so those details matter.
Ready to put your personality into your wedding suit?
At Hunter & Grey’s, we’re big believers that your wedding suit should feel like you: whether that’s classic, colourful, vintage, modern, traditional or something completely different.
From fabrics and colours to waistcoats, shirts, accessories and those all-important finishing touches, we’ll help you build a look that works for your wedding day and, most importantly, works for you.
Ready to find your look? Book an appointment at our Shedfield showroom and let’s get you suited.
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