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You’re going to a wedding. Great! The dress code says casual. As you reach for your favorite ironic “I <3 Moms” t-shirt, you pause. You look at your closet and quietly whisper to yourself, “What the heck does casual mean?”
Now, if you’re in the groom’s party (or you happen to be said groom), your outfit requirements are probably quite clear. If, however, you got a general admission ticket to Brad and Jessica’s Super Chill Outdoor Beach Wedding, you might want a few pointers.
The Basics
Before we hand you the keys to the holy grail of casual wedding style, let’s get a few things out of the way first.
Rule 1: Don’t Upstage the Groom
This rule could also just be explained as “don’t stand out.” Here’s the secret: If your clothes fit well and the colors complement you, you’ll probably look better than 75 percent of the dudes there anyway. Go simple and classic and avoid anything that draws attention to yourself.
Rule 2: Ask for Clarification
If Brad and Jessica’s Super Chill Outdoor Beach Wedding has a vague dress code like “comfortable” or “upscale beach” or some other nonsense, it’s okay – nay, good – to clarify.
Rule 3: Make Sure Your Ring Fits
This is really just a rule for the grooms to be reading. If you end up starting your union with an accidental pinky ring, that’s less than ideal. You could try consulting the bones and hope for the best. A ring size chart is likely a simpler option, though.
Level 1: A Half-Step Above a T-Shirt
Let’s tackle these in ascending order of formality. You hit up Brad (of Brad and Jessica, of course) and Brad goes, “Nah bro, like super chill. Just like, come as you are, ya know?” While vapid, Brad’s got that inviting spirit down and we salute him.
No matter what the dress code is, don’t show up collarless. If you want to be as laid back as possible, here’s what you do.
Shirt: Collared, but short or long sleeve. If you’re really feeling it, go for a half-placket shirt (also called a popover) in linen and roll the sleeves. Very casual, beach man. A simple polo works, too.
Pants: This is the only option where you can wear shorts. We don’t love it, but they’ll work here if they’re high-quality chino shorts that hit above the knee (but don’t get too European with it). Linen pants are an excellent option for those averse to public knees.
Shoes: You might be barefoot at the Super Chill Beach Wedding, so keep that in mind. A nice pair of espadrilles would work here. Otherwise, a clean white sneaker is your friend.
Level 2: Yes, You Have to Wear a Belt
Okay, let’s up the casual style a bit. There’s no hope of going barefoot at this wedding, but you can still live out your Miami Vice dreams.
Shirt: Simple, casual, clean. Think classic Oxford shirt or adjacent. A full placket linen shirt could work here, too. Light colors only. If you want a fun pattern, make sure it’s small.
Pants: No shorts here, Tommy Bahama. However, you can still keep it light and breezy. Linen is gone, but you can swap in your favorite chinos instead. Tan or blue will work best here. Rolled or cropped pants will keep it casual. Remember, ankles are always casual – they’re just not a formal body part. You now need a belt to gain entry, but stay casual with a cool fabric belt instead.
Shoes: This is probably the best level for shoes. You can dress up a pair of casual loafers or dress down some patterned wingtips or brogues. Both will look dynamite. Alternatively, some light-colored boat shoes.
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Level 3: Ack, More Buttons?
Brace yourself, casual gents. There’s a vest coming.
Shirt: The shirt from level 3 works just fine. Oxfords are always a good in-between shirt. Add a patterned, casual vest (not from your three-piece suit) in and you’ve upped your casual style game.
Pants: There’s definitely a trend of taking formal suit pants and dressing them down. It’s your time to try that. Go for dress pants in a lighter material.
Shoes: You could bring the shoes from level 3 here. Of the two, you’re better off with some patterned wingtips.
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Level 4: Dressed Down Jacket
We’ve traded jacket for vest here. It’s going to be okay.
Shirt: This is where it’s fun. You can go solid colored t-shirt here if you pair it with a suit jacket. Alternatively, have a casual collared shirt, but make sure your pants and jacket are in differing colors.
Pants: Light-colored, contrasting with the jacket. Think blue jacket and tan or white pants. If you want to match the jacket and pants, get a fun color and go casual t-shirt or even turtleneck.
Shoes: Wingtips or leather tassel loafers. Maybe a single monk strap, but that’s likely too formal. Your call.
Yes, these four options ran the gamut of casual attire. While there is a more or less universal guide for men’s style levels, not everyone appeals to the same standard. If you aren’t sure what casual really means in this context, ask for clarification and know you’ve got more style options than you know what to do with.
