How do you keep cool in a suit at a summer wedding?

If you’re concerned about sweating on a hot day (relatable), Katz notes that it could be worth switching up your antiperspirant or deodorant or even seeing a dermatologist to help you avoid sticky situations. Other methods of keeping cool include staying hydrated, skipping the socks, and wearing a lightweight dress shirt under your summer wedding suit.

What fabrics and colors are best for a summer suit?

The first rule of thumb is to choose the right fabric . In summer, opt for lightweight fabrics like linen, cotton, wool, or a blend. Light colors, including shades of cream, light blue, or gray, are cooler than darker colors. Look at the lining of the suit as well. If the wedding is during the heat of the day, you may want to choose a half-lined or an unlined suit, like the Buck Mason Carry-On Jacket and Pant , which will be lighter weight than one that is fully lined.

What dress codes call for a suit?

It’s important to study the dress code for every wedding you attend to avoid any faux pas, but Katz shares the following guidelines: “Anything after the 4:00 hour should have men in suits,” she says. “Semi-formal, cocktail, and of course, black tie.” Afternoon weddings, on the other hand, are the ideal time to wear a lightweight suit in a light color (cream, pastel, gray).

The 22 Best Summer Suits of 2023

Collage of a person wearing the Suit Supply Light Grey Havana Suit on a gray background — Brides / Amelia Manley

In many regions around the U.S. and the world, summer is peak wedding season. There are many reasons for this: The weather is often beautiful (and more predictable), people feel more relaxed, and outdoor celebrations can go on longer into the night without guests getting chilly. Summer weddings are wonderful occasions, but for men looking to dress appropriately for them, they pose one teeny tiny problem: which suit to wear.

Where typical summer dressing might involve shorts and t-shirts, many wedding dress codes call for a suit—even if it’s a more relaxed linen option without a tie. When it’s hot out, it’s important to pick the right lightweight fabric and color combo for your suit which won’t have you overheating throughout the day. Thankfully, there are so many beautiful summer wedding suits out there. With the help of a fashion stylist Holly Katz, we researched the best summer suits that will make you look and feel cool.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Brides

Brunello Cucinelli Double-Breasted Herringbone Linen Suit Jacket

Mr. Porter

View On Mrporter.com $4,195 View On Mrporter.com $1,300

Beloved by the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Justin Timberlake, and Chris Pine, Brunello Cucinelli is one of the best luxury suit designers out there. If you’re looking for an investment piece, this double-breasted jacket and pant combo is the height of elegance for every summer wedding.

The jacket and trousers are made with lightweight linen fabric and tailored with a regular fit. The mid-rise trousers are pleated with a straight leg. Plus, the darker navy color won’t show any wrinkles you might acquire throughout the day as much as a lighter option might.

Jacket Size Range: 46-54 Italian | Pant Size Range: 46-56 Italian | Materials: Linen | Colors: Navy

Suit Supply

View On Suitsupply.com

The light gray shade of this suit makes it feel right at home at a summer wedding. While you may associate wool with winter, the mid-weight material is actually great at wicking away moisture and resisting wrinkles and odors. The slim-fit Havana blazer is narrow through the waist and shoulders with a regular chest. It has a casual look thanks to no shoulder padding. The mid-rise Soho trousers are also tailored slim-fit with a tapered leg and hem. In this lightweight form and color, this wool suit is an excellent choice for a summer suit.

Size Range: 32-50 | Materials: Pure wool | Colors: Light gray

Hawkes & Curtis

View On Hawesandcurtis.com

The herringbone on this 3-piece tailored suit gives it a really nice texture. The linen is extra breathable, and double vents in the lined, single-breasted jacket make for easier movement. The slacks are designed with a tailored fit and are half-lined to the knee. The single-breasted, five-button vest features welt pockets and a waist adjuster. The suit also comes in royal blue and light blue if beige isn't your thing. Do note that the trousers are unfinished and require alterations.

Jacket Size Range: 36-50 | Pant Size Range: 30-44 | Materials: Linen, viscose | Colors: Beige, royal blue, light blue

Ted Baker

View On Tedbaker.com View On Tedbaker.com

We love the idea of wearing a sandy-colored (or in this case, stone-colored) suit to a beach wedding. It’s hard to get more on-theme than that! Also available in navy and light green, this suit comes courtesy of the modern classic brand Ted Baker, which is one of stylist Holly Katz’s go-tos for great suits. Pair the single-breasted blazer with the matching slim-fit trousers. Made from a perfect blend of linen and wool with a viscose lining, this set will look beach-appropriate while feeling breathable as well.

Jacket Size Range: S-3XL | Pant Size Range: 32-38 | Materials: Linen, wool, viscose | Colors: Navy, light green, stone

J.Crew

View On Jcrew.com View On Jcrew.com

Between the unstructured look of the jacket and the material, which is a blend of cotton and linen, this slim-fit suit is made for a more relaxed wedding. The jacket is unpadded with a notch lapel and two-button closure. The partially-lined, slim-fit suit pants also have an unstructured style. It comes in several colors—including cream, light gray, and light brown—that are ideal for a summer wedding. It's casual and versatile, so it's a nice one to add to your closet.

Jacket Size Range: 36-46 | Pant Size Range: 28-38 | Materials: Cotton, linen | Colors: Ink, dark navy, cream, deep water, light brown, light gray glen

Indochino

View On Indochino.com

Made of a really nice lightweight wool linen blend, this suit works well for warmer weather. The deep blue colorhas a bit of a nautical feel to it as well. The suit is custom-made in either a half-canvassed (structured fit) or reduced canvas (relaxed fit). The wool linen blend has a loose weave that produces a more relaxed fit overall.

Size Range: Custom | Materials: Wool, linen | Colors: Blue

Brooks Brothers

View On Brooksbrothers.com View On Brooksbrothers.com

A light-colored checked suit like this classic design from Brooks Brothers can make a lovely choice for a daytime celebration. The standard fit suit jacket features a soft shoulder, and the classic pants are straight-cut with a single pleat front. Both are made from breathable yarn-dyed wool—meaning you can easily wear them in the summer and not feel like you’re suffocating.

Jacket Size Range: 32-50, regular, short, long | Pants Size Range: 36-42 | Materials: Pure wool | Colors: Gray check

Todd Snyder

View On Toddsnyder.com

Another of Katz’s favorite brands for great men’s suits, Todd Snyder has something in store for every occasion. If you’re attending a wedding somewhere where the temps tend to ramp up and stay up, you’ll need a suit that can handle it—and that’s this seersucker number. The jacket is partially lined with a casual but tailored fit and a natural shoulder. The matching slacks have a relaxed pull-on fit with a concealable drawstring and are tapered and cuffed at the ankle. Made from breathable cotton (one of the fabrics Katz recommends for summer suits) and adorned with a seersucker pattern, this suit is perfect for weddings set anywhere from Naples, Italy to Naples, Florida, in the height of summer.

Jacket Size Range: 36-46 | Pant Size Range: XS-XXL | Materials: Cotton, elastane | Colors: Cream

Jack & Jones Premium Slim Fit Suit Jacket and Pants

ASOS

View On Asos $110 View On Asos $28

Available in a range of summery pastels, this suit from Jack & Jones scores extra points thanks to its budget-friendly price tag. This jacket's single-breasted style and slim fit are the perfect blend of stylish and casual and would pair well with a patterned shirt for a daytime event or with a white shirt and simple tie for a more formal affair. The padded shoulders and notch lapels give the suit a traditional style, but the color options steer it in a more casual direction. The matching pants (sold separately) come in a regular rise and are also slim fit.

Jacket Size Range: 46-54 | Pant Size Range: 30-38 | Materials: Polyester, viscose, spandex | Colors: Light blue, lilac, pastel blue

Bonobos

View On Bonobos.com View On Bonobos.com

A blue suit is a total must-have in your wardrobe year-round, but this one makes a particularly great choice for a summer wedding. The jacket is tailored and half lined, with a notch lapel, but includes a bit of stretch for added comfort. The light check gives it a more relaxed vibe, perfect for pairing with boat shoes and a simple white button-up.

We also love that Bonobos offers this jacket in three different fits—slim, athletic, and standard—to complement every body type and preference. Similarly, the matching slacks also come in three fits. The tailored style which is fitted at the waist and hips and tapers down from the mid-thigh to the ankle, slim fit, which is a little less tight in the seat with a more gradual taper to the ankle, and athletic, which is roomy at the seat and thigh with an unmistakable taper from below the knee to the ankle.

Jacket Size Range: 36-48 | Pant Size Range: 28-44 | Materials: Wool, cotton, silk, polyamide, elastane | Colors: Mid navy, brown glen plaid, teal woods glen plaid, blue glen check

Ralph Lauren

View On Ralphlauren.com

For a formal wedding, you need an elegant, timeless suit—but not necessarily a full-blown tuxedo. This tick-weave set from Ralph Lauren strikes the perfect balance, and the dark gray-blue color helps it feel a little more summery than a black suit. On that note, this jacket and pants are made from lightweight wool (which, despite being associated with colder weather, is a breathable fabric) blended with linen and tussah silk, both of which are ideal for keeping cool when it’s hot out.

The tailored jacket and trousers come in short, regular, and long lengths. The jacket is half-canvassed with a soft shoulder for a natural look, and the slacks are lined to the knees and include side adjusters and an extended button closure.

Size Range: 32-54 | Materials: Wool, linen, tussah silk, viscose, cupro | Colors: Supply blue melange

ASOS

View On Asos

When it comes to summer weddings, light-colored suits are always a good idea. We love ASOS for great finds at more approachable prices, and this beige skinny suit is no exception. Made from a linen blend, it will help you keep cool all day long, too, which should be a number one priority when shopping for a summer wedding suit. Each piece is sold separately, in an extended size range, so you can mix and match to suit your style.

Jacket Size Range: 32-52 | Pant Size Range: 26-46 | Materials: Linen mix | Colors: Beige

J.Crew

View On Jcrew.com View On Jcrew.com

This slim-fit, modern suit can easily be dressed down with sneakers and a sweater for a more casual wedding, but it can also be dressed up. It's made of all-season worsted wool, so it's very versatile. The jacket has a notch lapel, pick stitching along the collar, lapel, and pockets, and a bit of stretch for added comfort. The suit pants are slim through the hip and thigh with a tapered leg.

Jacket Size Range: 34-46 | Pant Size Range: 28-38 | Materials: Worsted wool, elastane | Colors: Atlantic blue, charcoal, harbor blue, navy

Indochino

View On Indochino.com

This 100% lightweight wool suit is custom-made to your measurements and specifications. You can choose everything from the color of the jacket lining (purple polka dot, anyone?), the style of the pocket flaps, and the button colors. The suit jacket is half-canvassed with a fully canvassed lapel and lightweight shoulder pads.

The pants can be made with cuffs or a blind hem, pleats or none, and belt loops or suspender buttons, so there are many ways to make these your own. The texture of this classic sharkskin wool suit makes this gray anything but drab. Sleek, sophisticated, and versatile, this one can be worn at any time of the year.

Size Range: Custom | Materials: Wool | Colors: Sharkskin gray

State of Liberty

View On Stateandliberty.com

This suit is made for those with an athletic physique. The blazer has a two-button, single-breasted style with lightly padded shoulders. The pants have a tapered, athletic fit with a four-way stretch for added comfort. The bold sea green color is unique and different, and it feels perfect for a summer event. Made of comfortable stretchy fabric and lined with a breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking dress shirt fabric, this one will stay wrinkle-free and keep you cool, too.

Jacket Size Range: 38-48 | Pant Size Range: 29-40 | Materials: Rayon, nylon, polyester, spandex performance blend | Colors: Heathered sea green

Men's Wearhouse

View On Menswearhouse.com View On Menswearhouse.com

These slim-fit separates from JOE Joseph Abboud are made of a tan linen and cotton blend that looks crisp and is just right for a hot summer day. The jacket, which comes in short, regular, and long lengths, is butterfly lined with a notch lapel and side vents, and the slim-fit pants are pre-hemmed with a flat front. Breathable and comfortable, the jacket and pants can also be worn independently for more casual occasions.

Jacket Size Range: 36-54, short, regular, long | Pant Size Range: 30-60 | Materials: Linen, cotton | Colors: Tan

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom $1,492

You’ll be sure to make a statement in this extra stylish light blue suit, which sits somewhere between a sky blue and a blue-gray tone that’s perfect for the summer months. The suit has a lightly structured style and a classic fit for comfort. Though made from 100 percent wool, this Canali suit’s screen weave style lends it a linen-like appearance but with none of the creasing you might get from a linen suit. Needless to say, we’re huge fans of this one.

Size Range: 38-50, regular, long | Materials: Wool | Colors: Light blue

Oliver Wicks

View On Oliverwicks.com

The most obvious advantage of this Oliver Wicks suit is that it’s fully customizable: whether that’s sizing-wise or when it comes to details such as the pockets or the shoulder padding (we love the unpadded look for a more casual summer wedding, though).

The jacket is made with half-canvas construction, but you can change it to full-canvas if you wish. You can also choose the width of the lapel, type of jacket vents, pockets, buttons, and lining. For the slacks, you can customize the style of the pockets, cuffs, and pleats. Perfect fit aside, this one is made from beautiful textured Italian linen and designed to wear during the warmer months.

Size Range: Custom | Materials: Linen | Colors: beige

Paul Smith Linen Suit Jacket and Trousers

Mr Porter

View On Mrporter.com $955 View On Mrporter.com $500

Paul Smith is a London-based designer, so you can bet they know a thing or two about tailoring a suit. This suit is tailored for a slim fit and comes in tan, green, or light blue—all of which would look fantastic for a summer wedding—and is made from breathable, lightweight, non-stretchy linen. The jacket is fully lined with notch lapels, a welt pocket at the chest, and two front flap pockets.

The slacks are slim-cut with a mid-rise style and come with an unfinished hem so you can choose where the break occurs. Better yet? While linen is typically prone to creasing, this suit is made from crease-resistant fabric that will look just as good when you put it on as when you’re tearing up the dance floor.

Jacket Size Range: 36-46 | Pant Size Range: 30-38 | Materials: Linen | Colors: Tan, green, light blue

Todd Snyder

View On Toddsnyder.com $698

If you prefer to style a suit jacket without matching pants, a sport coat is the way to go. This relaxed jacket with a classic style from Todd Snyder comes in khaki and navy batik, both of which are totally suitable for summer weddings. The jacket is made with loose, open-weave linen and has no shoulder padding or lining, so it’s extra lightweight and breathable. This tailored sport coat will instantly elevate your look to the “best-dressed guest” level.

Size Range: 36-46, short, regular, long | Materials: Linen | Colors: Khaki, navy batik

Mango

View On Mango.com View On Mango.com

This slim-fit suit from Mango is made with a blend of lightweight, breathable lyocell combined with linen and cotton. The jacket and pants are sold separately in a range of colors, including ecru, beige, green, navy, indigo blue, and black. The jacket is lined and has a notched lapel and front button closure and a double back slit. The trousers are slim fit with a straight leg that looks ideal with a pair of loafers or sleek summer shoes.

Jacket Size Range: 36-46 | Pant Size Range: 29-38 | Materials: Lyocell, linen, cotton | Colors: Ecru, beige, green, navy, indigo blue, black

Buck Mason

View On Buckmason.com View On Buckmason.com

This easy-going summer suit from Buck Mason is ideal for casual destination weddings. It’s made of breathable 97% cotton with a touch of spandex to add stretch for comfort. It has a vintage look and the soft feel of a garment you’ve worn for years. The jacket and pants are sold separately in a range of light and dark colors to suit your style. The jacket has three patch pockets on the front and is unlined, so it’s lightweight. The mid-rise pants have a straight fit, slash hip pockets, and two single-welt back pockets.

Jacket Size Range: XS-XXL | Pant Size Range: 28-38 | Materials: Cotton, spandex | Colors: Oyster, canteen, light sage, mariner navy

What to Look for in Summer Wedding Suits

Material

For summer, Katz recommends choosing a wedding suit in lightweight materials, like cotton or linen. Though we love the look of a 100 percent linen suit, just note that these can wrinkle easily, so may not be the best option for a more formal occasion—or if you won’t have access to an iron before the wedding. If this is a concern, Katz says that a linen blend would work, but suggests that “light cotton or wrinkle-resistant is best.” Made from a blend of wool and linen, Indochino Stockport Wool Linen Blue Suit, our pick for Best Blend, will prevent the wrinkles and sweat.

Color

The color of your suit for a summer wedding is definitely down to preference, but you may prefer to opt for a lighter color in order to keep cool if you’re headed to a daytime celebration. “Cobalt blue or sage gray, even khaki or a fun color like a pastel is always great in pictures,” says Katz. “If you choose a solid suit then a fun pattern shirt will give a nice contrast.” We love how Paul Smith Linen Suit Jacket and Trousers comes in three summer ready shades.

Fit

A suit should always fit properly and not appear too baggy or too tight. However, for a summer suit, a suit jacket and trousers with a looser and more relaxed fit will keep you cooler. Our pick for Best Casual, the Ludlow Slim-fit Unstructured suit jacket and pants, offers a loose fit that's ideal for summer weddings.

Return Policy

A good suit should fit you like a glove, so if ordering yours online, “make sure that you try everything on and that you are sure it fits the way it should,” says Katz. “Do this before a return policy sets in.” Look for retailers that offer easy and generous return policies with at least 30 days to decide.

FAQ

How do you keep cool in a suit at a summer wedding?

If you’re concerned about sweating on a hot day (relatable), Katz notes that it could be worth switching up your antiperspirant or deodorant or even seeing a dermatologist to help you avoid sticky situations. Other methods of keeping cool include staying hydrated, skipping the socks, and wearing a lightweight dress shirt under your summer wedding suit.
What fabrics and colors are best for a summer suit?

The first rule of thumb is to choose the right fabric. In summer, opt for lightweight fabrics like linen, cotton, wool, or a blend. Light colors, including shades of cream, light blue, or gray, are cooler than darker colors. Look at the lining of the suit as well. If the wedding is during the heat of the day, you may want to choose a half-lined or an unlined suit, like the Buck Mason Carry-On Jacket and Pant, which will be lighter weight than one that is fully lined.
What dress codes call for a suit?

It’s important to study the dress code for every wedding you attend to avoid any faux pas, but Katz shares the following guidelines: “Anything after the 4:00 hour should have men in suits,” she says. “Semi-formal, cocktail, and of course, black tie.” Afternoon weddings, on the other hand, are the ideal time to wear a lightweight suit in a light color (cream, pastel, gray).

Why Trust Brides

Iris Goldsztajn is a Paris-born, London-based freelance writer with 10 years of experience covering fashion, beauty, wellness and lifestyle for the likes of InStyle, Marie Claire, British Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Bustle, Refinery29 and many more. As the former associate editor for Her Campus, she was responsible for all style and beauty news coverage. In order to write this article, Iris drew on her own knowledge of suits and tailoring, and spoke to styling expert Holly Katz to gain further insights into which suits are best for summer weddings.

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