Chinos have long been revered as a smart-but-comfortable, classy-but-casual choice of trousers, so they’re an excellent choice for your wedding day if you’re aiming for a smart casual dress code.
Originating in the 1800s, there are a number of theories as to where these trousers ‘came from’, but history shows they were potentially first worn by British soldiers who were based in India. The hot weather meant they required a cooler, lightweight material and so the chinos were born.
This makes chinos an excellent choice for a spring or summer wedding, when the warmer weather begins to make an appearance. So if you want to showcase a smart casual style on your wedding day, read on to discover how best to style them, including what you can wear with them.
Can you wear chinos to a wedding?
Yes, you most definitely can wear chinos to a wedding, whether you’re attending as a guest or as the groom, however we’d only recommend donning these trousers for a smart casual or informal dress code.
The dress code for a wedding is either dictated by the bride and groom or by the type of wedding venue. If the invitation doesn’t provide a dress code, look at the venue next to figure out what you should wear.
For weddings that will be hosted in an outdoor venue like a beach or a garden, chinos can be an excellent choice and offer a relaxed yet refined look. For weddings that are to be hosted in more formal settings, like a church or manor house, chinos are still acceptable but you may need to dress them up with a blazer and leather shoes to create a more sophisticated ensemble.
Chinos are available in a number of materials, and the fabric you choose may differ depending on whether the wedding is in summer or winter. For a summer wedding, wear lightweight cotton chinos to stay cool in the warm weather. For winter weddings, we recommend choosing either twill or corduroy chinos to keep you warm, both of which are slightly heavier fabrics. Whatever fabric you go for, ensure your jacket is made of the same to complete the look.
What to wear with chinos
For a formal wedding, we’d recommend that you stick to a two or three-piece suit, however you might get away with chinos in a dark colour, such as navy blue. Pair them with a blazer or jacket to smarten them up even further.
If you want to add some contrast and a dash of colour, then we recommend pairing a different colour blazer with your chinos. For example, wear a navy blazer with beige chinos, a charcoal blazer with light grey chinos or a green blazer with brown chinos.
Your choice of shirt can make all the difference to an outfit too, taking it from casual to formal or vice versa. A smart white dress shirt is a classic choice that pairs well with almost any colour of chinos. Light blue or pastel shirts can also work well for a softer look.
What accessories to wear with chinos
Whether the chinos are separate to the rest of your suit or you decide to go for one of our two-piece suits, accessories are important to help complete and refine your wedding suit.
Make sure to pair your chinos with traditional wedding shoes, such as leather loafers or brogues. Add a tie or bow tie to your attire too, choosing a flattering colour that matches the rest of the ensemble. For an elegant look, you can add a pocket square that contrasts with your blazer, or a hankie that is the same colour or matches well with the colour of the chinos.
Wearing chinos on your wedding day can be a stylish and comfortable choice that reflects your personal taste. By focusing on the fit, colour, and the right accessories, you can create a look that’s both sophisticated while reflecting your personal style.
All of our suits can be sold separately. This gives people the opportunity to then mix and match their suits and create a contrasting attire. We also offer a service where we can create made- to-order suits, allowing you to choose every detail from the lining to the style of buttons. We’ll help you to feel confident and look elegant on your special day.
