Groom Wedding Attire Ideas for Every Style

Groom wedding attire has moved on from the rather boring standard black rented suit. We now have wide-leg tuxedos, ivory tailoring, dramatic capes, and soft neutral suits, which are all about the groom as much as the venue. Fashion has given men's formalwear a whole lot more freedom these days: relaxed silhouettes, unorthodox fabrics, sculptural jackets, and color are now as acceptable at the altar as a classic bow tie.

That freedom is thrilling, really, but it does make the decision incredibly difficult. The right outfit will be dictated by the venue, the season, the time of day, and how comfortable you want to be for hours of photos, toasts, and dancing. It has to work with your partner's look, whether that's a bridal gown, a pantsuit, or a second groom's suit. Below are the biggest shifts in groom style right now, from capes and trains to relaxed proportions, designer pieces, flared trousers, and pastels, plus outfit options for bride-and-groom couples and for two grooms.

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Trains and Capes Become Part of the Groom’s Wedding Attire

The boldest groom outfits at the moment are stealing the drama from the bridal look. Capes, trains, and even veils (yes, veils), once the bride's domain, are now being incorporated into men's tailoring in a way that is very much in keeping with the modern look. These are looks for the grand staircase, the historic castle, and the editorial shoot, where the fabric has room to move. Here's how the grooms are doing it.

Veils Over Tailoring

A long lace or tulle veil worn over a sharp suit is one of the boldest things a groom can do. A lace-edged veil over a white pinstripe suit is very romantic, very couture. A long cloud of tulle over a black suit is a very dramatic statement. Keep the suit very clean and very tailored so that the veil is the focus. The veil length is also important. A long cathedral veil is absolutely stunning on a staircase or a bare studio floor, but it can be quite impractical outdoors in the wind.

Shoulder Capes and Draped Trains

A white suit with a long cape flowing from the shoulders gives the groom a real sense of presence as he walks down the aisle. It works perfectly for two grooms as well. Picture both men in ivory, one with a cape flowing over the burgundy satin steps or across the floor of a very old interior. You'll need to plan the logistics in advance. A detachable cape or train can be removed after the ceremony, and a helper can be arranged to handle the fabric before each photograph. Keep the rest of the outfit simple, with a white shirt or bare neck, to keep the silhouette clean and elegant rather than costume-like.

Long Coats with Sweeping Trains

For a more subtle take on the trend, choose a long, tailored coat with a train rather than a separate cape. Over a white suit, it's one continuous line from shoulder to floor and looks absolutely stunning on a staircase. Worn with black trousers against a wild backdrop, it's very cinematic and very editorial. A fairly substantial fabric is required (heavy crepe or duchess satin would be ideal) so that the train falls properly and doesn't twist as you walk.

Wide Trousers and Easy Shoulders: The Groom's Suit Loosens Up

The skinny suit is being replaced by more relaxed silhouettes: high-waisted wide trousers, softer shoulders, and jackets that actually move with the body. This makes wedding attire for grooms far more comfortable for a long day and much better-looking in photographs, particularly during the first dance. It works at all levels of formality, from a very casual outdoor wedding to black-tie. These are the main ways to wear it.

Relaxed Cream Suits

A cream suit with wide trousers and an open collar is absolutely the ticket for a villa, a vineyard, or a warm destination wedding. Sunglasses are a must for portraits, and the shirt can be kept very simple. It works perfectly with a bride in a short white dress or a second groom in a darker suit to create a nice contrast. That's also the easiest way to approach casual wedding attire for a groom: light tailoring, no tie, and loafers rather than formal shoes on the terrace and lawn.

Soft Double-Breasted Suits

A double-breasted jacket with soft shoulders and full trousers is very elegant, without being stiff at all. In beige with a dark tie, it's absolutely right in a green English garden setting, while the ivory version is a lot lighter and more romantic. It suits a groom who wants a classic cut with a bit of modernity. It's vital that the jacket is tailored to close neatly without pulling, as a double-breasted cut will show any fit issues.

Collarless and Tie-Front Jackets

For something quietly different, try a collarless jacket fastened with fabric ties rather than buttons, worn with wide pleated trousers in the same soft beige. It's a very relaxed, very artisanal piece of clothing, a modern take on traditional menswear, really. Pair it with just a white shirt and leather shoes, so the fastenings are the only detail.

Neutral Suits with Natural Details

Cream, sand, and light gray suits give a warm, relaxed feel and are ideal for a garden wedding, a rustic estate, or a backyard celebration. Rather than a traditional boutonniere, you could go for a branch of cotton flowers or a pressed botanical pin. Brown leather shoes and burgundy or chocolate accessories complete the look. Linen blends are very comfortable in the summer but tend to crease, so a wool or cotton blend is better at holding its shape over a long day.

Wide-Leg Tuxedos and Dark Suits

Black is still the most reliable choice for an evening or formal wedding, and the wide-leg tuxedo is the most current take on it. A proper black-tie look is achieved with high-waisted trousers, a crisp white shirt, a black bow tie, and a satin cummerbund. Add a gold brooch to the lapel for a touch of old-world glamour. A deep teal or dark green suit in a fluid fabric is a very confident alternative to black. Tailoring is absolutely essential here, with the trousers breaking cleanly over the shoe and the jacket fitting closely at the shoulder, so the wide leg looks deliberate rather than oversized.

Designer Tailoring for Grooms Who Want Something Nobody Else Has

For a groom who is a bit more fashion-conscious, the wedding suit can be a work of art. Designer and independent ateliers produce pieces with sculptural forms, hand-finished details, and all sorts of interesting textures that can make a groom's look truly unique. That's the direction you want to go if you're after something that no one else is going to have.

Sculptural and Draped Jackets

Think sculpted shoulders, layered panels, a draped sash across the chest, or a soft fabric wrap in lieu of a lapel. A pearl necklace or a single brooch is a very contemporary touch. Hand-painted or ink-splashed fabric makes a real statement. In white or ivory, these jackets are absolutely stunning without competing with a bride's dress. Wear them with simple trousers and little else, so the jacket stays the star.

Embroidery and Three-Dimensional Appliqué

Texture turns a classic suit into a collector's item. A brown pinstripe suit with embroidered appliqué, a taupe jacket with a three-dimensional leaf effect, or a black double-breasted jacket with all manner of embellished buttons are all very tactile. Earthy chocolate, espresso, and taupe are striking choices for a fall wedding, especially a moody, candlelit one. Oversized shirt cuffs, or a striped shirt peeking out from the sleeves, will add a touch of playfulness. The details are what really matter, so keep accessories to a minimum and choose shoes in the same tone.

Fluid and Unexpected Pieces

Some of the most memorable groom outfits completely break the suit formula. A draped sleeveless top with wide white trousers is very much the look of the day at a Mediterranean or island wedding. A long silk scarf instead of a tie on a beige suit is a very effective way of softening it. Two grooms in white (one with an open collar, one with a brooch) create a relaxed yet still put-together look. These are looks for couples who want their wedding to be a personal style statement as well as a celebration.

Flared Trousers Are Back in Formal Tailoring

Flared trousers are making a return to formalwear, bringing a very subtle 1970s glamour to the tuxedo and evening suit. A gentle flare from the knee is a great way to lengthen the leg, balance a very structured jacket, and look absolutely elegant in motion. The trick is restraint: a slight flare is perfectly sophisticated, while a big bell-bottom can easily tip into costume. Here are two ways to wear it.

The White Dinner Jacket with Flares

A white or ivory dinner jacket with black flared trousers is a very classic formal look, with a slightly lighter, more retro feel. Add a black bow tie and patent shoes, and you've got yourself a perfect evening reception look. Ivory and off-white are generally more flattering than optic white as they're not quite so stark on the skin and will work very well with a bride's dress. Always check the fabric in daylight, as some whites take on a blue cast in photographs.

Mandarin Collar Jackets

A mandarin collar jacket with a double row of buttons is a very elegant alternative to the standard lapel. It needs no tie and has a very clean, almost architectural line, particularly with slim flared trousers and simple leather shoes. A fabric with a soft sheen (wool with a satin finish, for instance) will keep it very much in the formal rather than the military camp. It's also a perfectly sensible choice of civil wedding attire for a groom, looking polished at a city hall without the full formality of a tuxedo.

Soft Pastels Replace Black and Navy for the Groom

A colored suit is one of the best ways for a groom to show his personality, and pastels are starting to replace black and navy at spring and summer weddings. Powder blue is a fresh color and works beautifully with a bride in the same shade, creating a soft, editorial look that looks fantastic in photos. Mauve, dusty pink, and sage are all lovely for a romantic or garden theme and are among the most flattering colors for a summer wedding. If you're after something a bit bolder, a pink suit with a western hat and some contrasting embroidery is a characterful option and a great way to make cowboy wedding attire for a groom feel fashionable. If you're not quite sure about a fully colored suit, a colored jacket over neutral trousers is a great way to start. Always check the shade in natural light and against your wedding palette, as pastels can look completely different indoors. For more shades to consider, see our guide to groom attire colors.

Wedding Attire for Bride and Groom

Planning wedding attire for the bride and groom together gives the whole look a real sense of intention in every picture. You don't necessarily have to match, but the two outfits should be in the same ballpark in terms of mood, level of formality, and color story. A very structured gown will generally call for a very sharp suit, whereas a more flowing or minimalist dress will work with a more relaxed suit and lighter fabrics. These three approaches work very well.

Matching Tones

The most romantic option is to stick with the same color family. A groom in a powder blue suit and a bride in a light blue gown creates a very soft, editorial look that really stands out. The same applies to ivory, champagne, and blush. You can choose slightly different shades or fabrics (such as matte tailoring against a glossy satin gown) so they complement rather than copy each other.

Classic Contrast

Contrast is, of course, timeless, and the photos are absolutely gorgeous. A navy double-breasted suit with a white bow tie alongside a lace gown, or a beige suit with a burgundy tie against a bride in a very sharp strapless dress, really gives each person their own identity. You can link the two looks with a common element, such as the bouquet color repeated in the groom's tie, pocket square, or boutonniere.

Playful Proportions

Some couples go for a more fashion-forward approach by mixing it up. You could have a bride in a short white dress and a groom in a wide-leg cream suit with sunglasses. That would be quite the look at a villa or garden party. It works best if the two outfits are in the same color scheme, so the difference in cut feels intentional.

Groom and Groom Outfit Ideas

For two grooms, the suits can be the same or very different. The same suit creates a strong, unified look, whereas different suits allow each groom to maintain his own individuality. You also have to consider height and build, as the same suit will look very different on two people, and you may need to tweak the lapel width, trouser shape, or jacket length to suit each groom.

Coordinated Whites

Two grooms in white or ivory are very much the image to go for, particularly against burgundy satin or a period setting. To make it more personal, you could have one groom in a long cape or train and the other in a classic white suit, or one in wide-leg trousers and the other in a more tailored cut. Matching shoes or the same shirt is a good way to tie the pair together.

Tonal Pairs

Pairing complementary tones is a subtle way to look put together without actually matching. A beige double-breasted suit with an ivory one, or a black suit with a cream one, is absolutely perfect for balance in a photo. You can then add a common accent to the two looks, whether that's the same boutonniere, the same tie color, or the same fabric texture, so the two outfits form one narrative.

How to Choose Groom Attire for Your Wedding

When choosing groom attire for your wedding, start with the setting and time of day. A dark tuxedo is the obvious choice for an evening wedding, while light neutrals and linen would be appropriate for an outdoor wedding. Always check the dress code on your invitations, as guests will follow it, and you should be at the most formal end of the scale. Here's a quick guide:

A few practical tips apply to every style:

• Book fittings early, since custom and made-to-measure pieces can take several months
• Plan at least two fittings, with the last one shortly before the wedding
• Wear your wedding shoes to the final fitting to check trouser length
• Consider a second, lighter look for the reception if you're wearing a cape, heavy fabric, or a formal tuxedo
• Take a photo of your partner's outfit to the fittings, so the tailor can match the level of formality and the color tone
• Choose the fabric according to the climate: linen and cotton for hot weather, wool for cooler days and evenings, velvet only in winter
• Break in your shoes at home for a few days, since you'll be standing and dancing for hours
• Keep accessories to one or two statement pieces, such as a brooch, a boutonniere, or a pocket square
• Ask the tailor to leave enough ease in the jacket to raise your arms for the first dance and the hugs
• Prepare a small kit with a lint roller, stain remover pen, spare buttons, and safety pins for the day

Looking for more groom outfits, real weddings, and styling inspiration? Have a look at Wezoree for some absolutely brilliant looks to save for your own day.

FAQ

What should a groom wear to a wedding?

Groom wedding attire will depend on the time of day, the setting, and the level of formality. A black tuxedo is the way to go for an evening and black-tie wedding. White, cream, or beige suits are appropriate for a daytime, garden, or destination wedding.

What is casual wedding attire for the groom?

Casual groom attire is normally light tailoring without a tie: linen or cotton suits, an open-neck shirt, loafers, and light fabrics. It's ideal for a summer, garden, or destination wedding.

Can a groom wear a cape or a train?

Yes. Capes, trains, and even veils are increasingly part of groom fashion, particularly for grand venues and editorial-style weddings. A detachable design is the way to go if you plan to dance at the reception.

What's the best civil wedding attire for a groom?

A well-fitting dark or neutral suit is the most versatile civil wedding attire for a groom. A tie is optional, and a boutonniere or pocket square will complete the look.

How far in advance should a groom buy his wedding suit?

Start shopping four to six months in advance, particularly if you're buying anything custom or made-to-measure. Allow time for at least two fittings and final alterations.