Navy, charcoal, black, green or beige? How to choose a wedding suit colour for men by season, venue, time of day and skin tone, with tips for groomsmen.
The colour of your wedding suit sets the tone for every photo. The right choice depends on the season, the venue, the time of day and the colours of the wedding. Here is how to choose, colour by colour.
Quick guide: wedding suit colours by season
| Season | Best colours | Fabric weight |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Light grey, mid blue, sage green, beige | Light to medium wool, wool-linen |
| Summer | Beige, tan, light grey, light blue | Light wool, linen blends |
| Fall | Navy, charcoal, forest green, brown | Medium wool, flannel |
| Winter | Charcoal, midnight navy, black, burgundy (tuxedo) | Heavier wool, velvet jackets |
Navy: the safest and most versatile choice
Navy works for almost every season, venue and skin tone. It looks formal without being severe, photographs well in both daylight and evening light, and pairs easily with white, light blue or pink shirts. If you want a suit you will wear again after the wedding, navy is hard to beat.
Charcoal and grey: classic and flexible
Charcoal is slightly more formal than navy and works well for fall and winter weddings. Light and mid greys suit daytime and spring weddings. Grey is also an easy colour for groomsmen, because it goes with almost any bridesmaid colour.
Black: for evening and black-tie weddings
Black is the most formal colour and is best kept for evening weddings, usually as a tuxedo with satin lapels. For a daytime wedding, a black suit can look heavy in photos, so navy or charcoal is often the better choice. See our custom tuxedos in Toronto.
Green: the stand-out colour
Green has become a popular choice for grooms who want something different. Sage and olive work well for spring and outdoor weddings, while deep forest or bottle green suits fall and winter. Green pairs well with white shirts and brown or tan shoes.
Beige and tan: summer and destination weddings
Beige, tan and stone colours are ideal for summer, garden and beach weddings. They keep you looking cool and relaxed, especially in a light wool or linen blend. Pair them with a white or light blue shirt and brown shoes.
Burgundy and velvet: winter evening statements
For a winter evening wedding, a burgundy or deep green velvet dinner jacket with black trousers makes a strong statement for the groom, while groomsmen wear classic black or navy.
How to choose: 4 questions
- What time is the wedding? Daytime suits lighter colours. Evening suits darker colours and black.
- Indoors or outdoors? Outdoor and garden weddings suit lighter, warmer colours. Ballrooms and churches suit navy, charcoal and black.
- What are the wedding colours? Choose a suit colour that works with the bridesmaids' dresses and the flowers, not one that competes with them.
- Will you wear it again? Navy and charcoal are the easiest colours to wear again to work and events.
Should the groom match the groomsmen?
Both work. Many grooms wear the same colour as the groomsmen but stand out with a different lapel, a waistcoat or a lighter shirt. Others choose a different colour altogether, such as a navy groom with grey groomsmen. Whatever you choose, the look comes together when every suit fits properly. See our custom groomsmen suits.
See the colours in person
Colours look different on screen than in real light. Master tailor Roger brings fabric swatches to your home or office anywhere in Toronto and the GTA, so you can see each colour against your skin and in natural light before you decide. See our wedding suits for men in Toronto, or call or WhatsApp 416-888-9236 to book a free consultation.
