7 suits perfect for a summer of weddings
Whether you're looking for lightweight pastel linen or a subtly striped seersucker, these trimly-tailored suits are ideal for summer...
Words: Jonathan Wells
Here they come; summer weddings. And, as the sun starts to shine on this season of vows, open bars and awkward speeches, we’re flinging open our wardrobes and having a clear out. Because, while the various dress codes may bamboozle you into buying outfit after outfit for these life-affirming affairs, dressing for a summer wedding is actually surprisingly simple.
Unless it’s black tie or morning dress — in which case any style decisions are made for you — you only really need one suit for the entire wedding season. But, with the heat beating down and the weather warming up, you want to make sure it’s the most lightweight and brightly-coloured suit possible. We’ve RSVP-ed, rifled through racks of options and found the best options below…
Paul Smith Light Green Linen Suit
Let’s start with a statement; a green suit. From British menswear maverick Paul Smith, this Italian-made, patch-pocketed option will add a pop of verdant colour — but keeps things casual with notch lapels and a relaxed-but-tailored fit. Wear it to any European weddings you may be jetting off to this summer.
Ralph Lauren Plaid Stretch Seersucker Suit
Next up; seersucker. This crinkled creation was built for summer — its lightweight construction, versatile style and breezy breathability making it the ideal blend of fashion and function. From Ralph Lauren, this blue-ish suit makes full use of the fabric, and features a classic plaid pattern. Wear this one if the dress code is ‘cocktail’.
New & Lingwood Double Breasted Linen Jacket
A classic look; the light, linen, double-breasted suit. From New & Lingwood, this is as traditionally-tailored and classically-cut as the iconic style gets. Softly structured, it’s finished with peak lapels, flap pockets and is the perfect option if you’re heading to a high society wedding this summer.
Richard James Hyde Suit in Needlecord
Back to blue — and onto Savile Row — for our next suiting suggestion. Richard James is known for its bold colours and modern tailoring, and this sky blue suit makes use of an underused material; needlecord. A type of tighter, subtler corduroy, it’s a great option for summer weddings — adding texture to your get-up without the unwelcome weight.
Boglioli K-Jacket Unstructured Linen Suit
If you’re thinking pink, go for a dusty shade of the colour. It’s a strong statement, and a little showier than the blues and greens above, but Boglioli’s ‘K-Jacket’ design takes the hard-hitting hue and softens it; rendering it in crisp summerweight linen. Throw this one on for any English country weddings.
Drake’s Stone Cotton Drill Tailored Suit
Probably the most classic of the summer suits on our list, this Drake’s number is cut from cotton drill — a fabric constructed with a twill in the weave that gives it a slightly heavier weight. With wide lapels, patch pockets and pick stitching, this one’ll work as your go-to all summer long — and then on into autumn.
SIRPLUS Linen Nehru Suit
For something a little different, why not cut off your collar, do away with lapels and button up a Nehru jacket? Crafted from a sand-coloured linen with a smooth texture, this English-made option from SIRPLUS is effortlessly elegant and fastens with natural mother of pearl buttons for an elegant finish.
Hoping to stay a little more casual? These are the best polo shirts for summer…
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