Always the usher and never the groom? You’re going to need at least one top-tier wedding guest suit Finding wedding guest suits is a lot like finding a spouse. Some people are lucky enough to come across one that they’ll keep forever from their very first rodeo. Others have more trouble with the process, trying on a bunch of options winter after winter without ever finding one they like all that much. But even if you’re always the usher and never the groom, we have faith that you’ll find a suit you’ll fall in love with this time. You don’t even have to go on a single date.
Got your ‘save the date’? Submitted your dietary requirements? Time to face the music and choose something to wear before you’ve left it so late you’re looking at where offers next day delivery. Off-the-rack suits are better than they’ve ever been this year, and with an abundance of choice from the best navy suits to the best linen suits, you’ll be blissfully suited up for the next spate of invites. Below, you’ll find all of our favourites for Christmas and midwinter nuptials this year and next.
Fabrication: Virgin wool
Sizes: Jacket IT46-56, Trousers IT46-54
Colours: Green
One of GQ’s favourite new off-the-rack suit mongers, J. Mueser has turned 18 years of bespoke tailoring into some of the cleanest suits you can buy online. The Waverly has a premium full canvas and soft, shirt-like shoulders for a comfortable, sinuous look when you’re sliding down the pew and dancing to “Rock The Boat” with the bride’s auntie. Jessie Atkinson
Wax London
Fabrication: Linen
Sizes: Jacket 36-46, Trousers 28R-38L
Colours: Ecru, navy, khaki (+5 more)
The Wax London linen suit is our latest preoccupation: a proposition that will inevitably show up in warm-weather weddings both home and away. Luckily, the Fintry jacket and corresponding Alp trousers come in eight different shades, including punchy rust and surplus khaki, so you’re unlikely to show up twinning with some bloke you’ve never met. For versatility and longevity, we still like this raw ecru version the best because it works just as well with a black tee as it does a white shirt. Marcus Mitropoulos
Suitsupply
Fabrication: Wool
Sizes: 32-50L
Colours: Yellow
Butter yellow that’s so pale it could almost
Butter yellow that’s so pale it could almost be cream has been the shade on female wedding guest vision boards for the last year. Now, the flattering hue has made the jump to masculine ‘fits, showing up on this resplendent, subtle tailored-fit set by Suitsupply in summer- and winter-friendly pure wool. It’s ideal if you want to match with a bridesmaid partner who’s also wearing the colour, but looks absolutely gorgeous against most other shades, meaning you could choose a lilac or pale blue shirt instead of a white one if it takes your fancy. JA
Fabrication: Wool-blend
Sizes: Jacket 36-46, Trousers 28R-38L
Colours: Navy, black
The Reiss Promise set is a pick ‘n’ mix of high street tailoring. Choose between tailored or classic fits, buttoned or buckled side adjusters, and waistcoat or no waistcoat. You can opt for black or navy too, but for a wedding, the latter feels much less harsh. JA
Fabrication: Virgin wool
Sizes: Jacket XS-XXL, Trousers XS-XXL
Colours: Brown, dark green
You can do a relaxed fit suit for a wedding if you get the details right: a pressed, crisp shirt and chunky derbies or brogues balance proportions out well. The suit itself should be sharp in the shoulder and creased through the leg: Studio Nicholson has that part on lock. Be forensic about choosing the right size for you (or even better, size up and have it tailored locally) to avoid looking like you’re doing a David Byrne. JA
Fabrication: Linen
Sizes: Jacket 36-46, Trousers 28R-38L
Colours:
Cheap but more than cheerful enough to wear
Cheap but more than cheerful enough to wear with a crisply ironed dress shirt and your best, freshly cleaned shoes when you’re in a pinch – or when you suspect the groom’s family might be the food-fight types. JA
Fabrication: Organic cotton
Sizes: Jacket S-XXL, Trousers 28-40
Colours: Green, brown, black (+3 more)
If the dress code is “wear whatever” or the wedding is in a barn: that’s not an excuse to wear some slacks and an Oxford and be done with it. Go more casual without looking like you couldn’t be arsed by wearing a workwear-inspired suit. This one from Uskees is great value for money, especially in tough organic cotton. JA
Fabrication: Wool-blend
Sizes: 34-54
Colours: Plum
Tired of wearing black and navy suits to your wedding event? Take our advice and try a more romantic-hued set, much like this one from Moss. Coming in a dark plum shade and made from the brand’s signature performance wool-blend, its sharp frame excels in practicality thanks to the water repellent coating, crease recovery construction, and stain resistant finish. That’s no excuse to go around spilling more than one drink, mind you. Faye Fearon
Fabrication: Wool blend
Sizes: Jacket 36-46, Trousers 28-38
Colours: Purple, blue, brown
A truly excellent wedding suit should be beautifully
A truly excellent wedding suit should be beautifully cut and made from premium fabrics. This lilac Mr P. set is both. Silk, wool and linen, all its structure while also feeling lightweight and airy. We love the pale lilac shade, too, for something a little different. FF
Fabrication: Wool
Sizes: Jacket 36-48, Trousers 30-42
Colours: Greige
The type of man whose drink order is a negroni will wear this Hawes & Curtis suit very well. It comes from the brand’s premium 1913 collection and is made from a Super 120s Italian wool which exemplifies two things the Italian’s favour in their tailoring: comfort and breathability. Accessorise it with a knitted tie, base it with some suede brown loafers and have a toast to love and la dolce vita. FF
Fabrication: Linen
Sizes: Jacket 34-44, Trousers 28-38
Colours: Green, navy, ecru (+2 more)
Before we recommend this ubiquitous set to you, you should be aware that you might not be the only guy at the function wearing it in green. If you’re willing to take the risk, know that the famous Percival linen suit really is as good as they say: for an off-the-rack pick, it’s sturdy in hand, breathable when on, and as well-fitting as a regular set that comes sans bespoke tailoring could reasonably be expected to be. JA
Fabrication: Viscose-blend
Sizes: Jacket 36-48, Trousers 28-40
Colours: Grey, navy, burgundy (+4 more)
The best wedding guest suits are often the ones that you’ll actually wear again in non-nuptial contexts. The Abercrombie signature Collins is that suit. Coming in a timeless silhouette, it features back vents for added mobility and an interior pocket for added convenience (or the invitation to your event, in this case). Plus, it comes in six other staple shades, all of which will work just as well in the office after your social engagement. The cost-per-wear alone makes it one of GQ’s favourite ever affordable suits. MM
