Five things to not wear to a wedding this summer.

Wedding season is around the corner, and many of my clients, friends and colleagues have been starting to plan their ensembles. I get asked the question 'what should I wear to so-and-so's wedding' on a pretty regular basis, so I thought I would write a blog about it, but rather than telling you exactly what to wear... I'm going to give you creative freedom to explore anything outside of these 5 things you definitely should not wear to a wedding this summer!

SNEAKERS

This one probably goes without saying, but that doesn't mean it doesn't get done. Guys, if you're going to wear your sneakers to a wedding this summer, please think twice. Instead, go out a grab a pair of dress shoes if you don't have a pair already {if you don't wear them on a regular basis and don't really want to spend a lot of $$$, go to Aldo and pick up a pair for $100}. Black or brown, depending on your outfit, are a safe bet. If a dress shoe isn't really your style, go for a loafer, a boat shoe, a casual lace up... anything but a sneaker.

JEANS

Wearing jeans to a wedding is like saying to your friend 'dude, I don't really care about your wedding at all, I'm just here for the free food and booze'. Just don't do it. If it isn't a formal wedding... say backyard or something casual, go for a nice pair of chinos instead.

TEE-SHIRTS

Wearing a tee shirt is the same as wearing jeans. If I were the bride, I'd be having the photographer avoid getting you in photos all night... {#truthbomb}, so don't be that guy. If it is hot out, go for a short sleeve button up or a nice polo {NOT a golf shirt}.

GOLF SHIRTS (see recent blog post)

A golf shirt is not a polo, period. If you'd like to know how I feel about wearing golf shirts while not golfing, see my last blog post. Anything suggested in that blog, or the shirts above are great alternatives to a golf shirt for your friend's wedding. 

ATHLETIC OR COMPANY BRANDED JACKETS

In a lot of cities, especially Calgary, there are A LOT of guys who get given jackets either at work or at golf tournaments that have company names on them, and then proceed to wear them all the time. To events, on dates, to the bar... everywhere. I don't think there is anything wrong with some good old fashioned marketing... and/or supporting your company... but these jackets do not belong at a wedding. If it is made of technical fabric even if it doesn't have a company name on it, it still doesn't belong at a wedding. A few brands that you should avoid wearing to weddings are... North Face, Arcteryx, Adidas, Nike, New Balance, MEC... you get my point. I love the brands, I just don't love them at weddings.

INSTEAD, go for a nice sport jacket or sweater if it is cold and you didn't wear a full suit. I've designed and made quite a few nice sport jackets for guys specifically for this purpose, that are dressy enough to be worn to a wedding, but casual enough to be dressed down and worn with jeans on a casual Friday at work! If you invest in a jacket like this, you'll get a lot of wear out of it, and if it is custom made for you (by moi of course) you'll look so damn good, your whole floor will be envious & the photographer will be seeking you out for those photo ops at the wedding! 

Here is a dapper look you can easily put together with a nice sport jacket, a simple pair of chinos and a short sleeve button-up or a polo.

If you have any questions, or any other ideas that you think shouldn't be worn to weddings, leave a comment, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Stay dapper, 

Ensemble Style