Had your head turned by a stylish brown suit, but not sure if it’s appropriate for a wedding? Brown isn’t your typical suit colour, with many of us sticking to safer options such as black, grey and blue.
Brown suits are often associated with fashion trends of the 1970s, but they’re making a serious comeback. Today’s styles are structured into modern shapes, and embrace a range of attractive shades from espressos and dark chocolates to rich caramel and suave tans.
The good news is that you can absolutely wear a brown suit to a wedding, but it’s crucial to choose the right shade and fabric – and get your styling spot-on.
When To Wear a Brown Suit to a Wedding
Brown suits tend to be seen as a touch less formal than black or grey, so they’re ideal for weddings that are a little more laid-back in terms of the dress code. However, you can elevate your look for a formal occasion by choosing a double-breasted suit, or going for a three-piece option like our Carnaby Brown.
Another thing to note about brown suits is that they’re a pretty classic look. With roots dating back to the 1930s, this is a timeless style – so it’s ideal for traditional, period or retro themed weddings.
You’ll also want to think about the season. With their warm, rich and earthy tones, brown suits are tailor-made for autumn weddings. They can work well in other seasons, but you’ll need to get the colour right. For example, choosing paler shades for spring or summer weddings, or a very deep chocolate colour for a winter celebration.
Best Brown Suit Shades For Weddings
Need colour inspiration? Here are some of the best brown suit shades for weddings:
- Mid-browns, such as coffee or copper – these shades are a sophisticated choice for weddings in most seasons, and they’re also a good neutral base to build the rest of your look around.
- Rich dark shades, such as chocolate or espresso – for formal events, go for deep, bold colours and wear with confidence
- Taupes and tans – if you’re looking for a lighter brown option, taupes and tans look soft, relaxed and effortlessly stylish. Suits like our Naples Tan are ideal for daytime celebrations.
- Beiges and stone shades – these shades walk the line between browns and greys, offering a modern, sleek look. They’re best for daytime, spring or summer weddings, or if you’re not quite ready for a full-on brown suit.
When To Avoid Wearing a Brown Suit
There are a few obvious situations in which brown suits simply aren’t appropriate. The main ones are black tie weddings and very formal evening events, where black and dark navy are the expected options.
You’ll want to avoid brown for funerals, and for certain business contexts such as executive meetings or in legal or finance environments. They may also be inappropriate for court appearances.
Hiring vs. Buying a Brown Suit For a Wedding
If you’re after a look for a specific occasion – such as an autumn wedding with a warm, earthy colour theme and a laid-back dress code – it absolutely makes sense to hire your suit rather than buy it.
Similarly, if it’s a dressy or formal look that you’re not likely to wear that often, hiring is perhaps the most cost-effective option.
If you’re really taken with brown suits though and you find a look that’s timeless, easy to wear and laid-back in style, you may want to consider buying it. Just make sure you have enough occasion to wear it, or your gorgeous brown suit could end up languishing in the wardrobe.
Can The Groom Wear a Brown Suit?
Yes, absolutely. The first rule of wedding fashion is that if you’re the bride or groom, you can wear what you want.
But brown suits are also an increasingly fashionable choice for modern grooms, especially those who feel that traditional menswear options are too limiting. They want more than just black or grey, and want ways to express their own personal style.
This is where a brown suit could fit the bill perfectly. Picture a three-piece suit in a rich chocolate brown, with a subtle check pattern set off with crisp white shirt, and a cream tie and pocket square.
For a more traditional look, you can try something like our Argyle Brown, a classic tweed suit with matching waistcoat – one of our most popular choices for grooms.
Accessories To Pair With a Brown Suit
The ideal companion to a brown suit is a crisp white or ivory shirt, but you can also consider light blue or a light pink. The key is to create a clean contrast, but without competing or clashing.
Other key accessories include:
- A tie in a deep, rich colour such as navy, burgundy or forest green, or a pale option to create contrast
- Brown leather shoes, in a few shades darker for contrast. Black can be tricky to pair with a brown suit, so is perhaps best avoided.
- A belt matched to the shoes
- A leather watch strap in a coordinating but not necessarily matching tone.
When choosing your accessories, just be careful not to overdo it when layering the brown tones – it can sometimes feel like a touch too much.
Key Takeaways
- Brown suits offer a timeless alternative to traditional wedding suit colours
- Darker shades are best for formal occasions, while lighter browns work best for spring and summer weddings
- Pair with a white shirt, rich-coloured tie and brown leather shoes for a polished look
- Skip brown suits for black tie weddings or highly formal evening events.
- Hiring is ideal for one-off occasions, but consider buying if you’ll wear a brown suit regularly.
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