What to wear to a wedding?

[steadyearnest]

I am 23 and need to attend the wedding of a friend from college. She is getting married in sunny Sarasota, FL and is my age. What is appropriate for this? Being that it is spring time do I need a light jacket? Do I need a full on suit or can I get away with a blazer? Thanks.

 

[MrDaniels]

Give us a bit more information...is the wedding on a beach? At a formal, elegant hotel? Is this a couple that is in high society or some crazy kids having a quickie wedding followed by beer and nachos? Also, time of day?

 

[cpac]

most importantly, was there any indication of the expected attire included with the invitation?

 

[steadyearnest]

It is during the late afternoon at a church (family is Catholic, Italian). The reception is at a nice restraunt with a courtyard that will have dancing and the like. There certainly won't be any beer in cans or donuts, but it will also be attended by many young people (we went to a school where people often don't wear shoes; not that either of us fit that profile). Sarasota will be very hot in the end of May. The restraunt is in a downtown area that is surrounded mostly by small shops and expensive condos.

 

[steadyearnest]

No attire suggested.

 

[Millerp]

A safe preppy look at your age would be

Light weight SB (2 or 3 button) navy blazer
khaki colored trousers
White pinpoint cotton button down collar shirt
Striped repp tie
Brown penny loafers

 

[MrDaniels]

Originally Posted by Millerp

A safe preppy look at your age would be

Light weight SB (2 or 3 button) navy blazer
khaki colored trousers
White pinpoint cotton button down collar shirt
Striped repp tie
Brown penny loafers

I agree. If you wear business colors it sounds like you'll have sweated through your suit by the time you get there. Although if you work in an industry that requires you to wear a suit, you might look into getting a light-colored suit in a summer-weight fabric, perhaps a light tan or grey plaid that will give you a bit more flexibility than The Official Preppy Uniform.

 

[cpac]

You definitely need a blazer or jacket of some sort, though I don't think a suit is absolutely required (though it wouldn't be out of place either).

Spring in warm parts of florida invites all kinds of fun linen or poplin options...

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by steadyearnest

There certainly won't be any beer in cans or donuts...

 

[steadyearnest]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Now I just have to get some new trousers (I lost some weight this year).

 

[alflauren]

I was browsing on Sierra yesterday and saw this sport coat:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/1...t-For-Men.html

When I saw the picture, I immediately thought to myself, "summer wedding."

 

[Charley]

If you elect to dress in the blue blazer, consider getting the trousers in some tropical weight wool. The khaki suggestion is OK, I guess, however, I would recommend the light grey with the navy. And wool, not cotton.

 

[j]

Originally Posted by MrDaniels

I agree. If you wear business colors it sounds like you'll have sweated through your suit by the time you get there. Although if you work in an industry that requires you to wear a suit, you might look into getting a light-colored suit in a summer-weight fabric, perhaps a light tan or grey plaid that will give you a bit more flexibility than The Official Preppy Uniform.
This.

Tropical wool glen plaid or light tan suit.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

Lightweight underwear - silk or silk-weight cotton - will help with the suit-in-hot-weather problem.

 

[Cantabrigian]

Originally Posted by mensimageconsultant.com

Lightweight underwear - silk or silk-weight cotton - will help with the suit-in-hot-weather problem.

Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman. Silk, though light is not very breathable. Thus making it a rather poor choice for use under a suit in the summer.