The Groom’s Guide To Understanding Dress Codes

The groom’s attire sets the dress code

Remember, we are always at your service if you need assistance with dress codes. Contact us through the site’s chat function or visit us in-store.

White Tie

Morning Coat / Morning Suit

This is the most formal of dress codes and is rarely used outside of royal weddings and events such as the Royal Ascot horse race in England. However, the very traditional style has grown popular for grooms if the wedding takes place in a castle-like venue.

Apart from the top hat, we can tailor a full morning dress ensemble to you. Here is what you need to wear:

• Morning coat in dark hues (black, midnight blue or charcoal)
• Dark grey striped trousers or alternatively a black-white puppytooth pattern
• Double- or single breasted waistcoat in third color (pastels are great)
• White or light blue shirt with regular collar
• Bow ties are allowed
• Black leather shoes (e.g. Oxfords)
• Black or charcoal top hat

A morning suit features the same components, but here the coat, trousers and waistcoat are all cut from the exact same fabric.

Equally as formal as the morning coat, this attire is meant for the same level of events, but taking place during the evening. Most people are more familiar with this outfit, the main characteristic being the tail coat. Sometimes the dress code would state “tails” or “full evening dress”, which are all the exact same outfit.

• Black tail coat (also referred to as “dress coat”)
• Black trousers with satin galon
• White piqué waistcoat
• White shirt with wing collar
• White bow tie (opt for self-tie)
• Highly polished or patent black leather oxfords. Court shoes/opera pumps are acceptable too
• Black top hat, white gloves, pocket watch, white pocket square and a boutonniere are all acceptable accessories

Keep in mind, although the dress codes states white “tie”, the only appropriate neckwear is a bow tie!

Black Tie / Stroller

Suit / Dress Clothes

If the dress code states “dress clothes” or simply “dark suit”, the appropriate attire would traditionally be a dark-hued 3-piece suit with tie.

Moving into slightly less restricted dress code territory also means room for more interpretation – which only adds to the confusion, we know! The traditional suit and an optional waistcoat are the main components here. The dark-colored, 3-piece suit is the more formal option in this category (and also called the lounge suit, which is acceptable as the daytime option of the “semi-formal” dress code). The least formal version is a light colored suit.

If you are in doubt which is more appropriate, the venue should give an indication; castle-like wedding venue = dark 3-piece suit, elegant garden wedding = light-colored regular suit.

• Dark navy suit
• Light brown chequered waistcoat (double- or single breasted)
• White shirt with regular collar
• Plain or conservative-patterned tie
• Black or brown leather oxfords. Suede oxfords can be an option

You might be able to opt for a less traditional tuxedo (e.g. burgundy dinner jacket + black trousers), if the groom/host is wearing a dark 3-piece suit.