So much attention is paid to what the bride and other women in a wedding wear that sometimes it seems like no men are in the wedding at all! Just because the bridal gown, bridesmaid dresses, and mother of the bride dress are often treated with more concern and attention, that does not mean that no one cares what the father of the bride and groomsen wear. These are some tips on dressing the father of the bride for any style of wedding.
Usually, the rule is that the father of the bride dresses in a manner similar to the groom. However, this does not mean that he must match the groomsmen; he only needs to be consistent. For a formal wedding, the men will usually wear a tuxedo, so that is what the father of the bride should wear.
Rather than renting a tuxedo, the father of the bride will often prefer to wear his own. If he already has a tuxedo hanging in the back of his closet, it should be carefully assessed well before the wedding day to see if it still fits, if it is still in style, and if it is in tip-top condition. If the tuxedo passes inspection, it may well be that all Dad needs is handsome new pair of cufflinks, which the bride can select from her favorite Raleigh jewelry store. But if the tuxedo has an outdated lapel or fits incorrectly, it is time to get a replacement.
A suit is the correct attire for semi-formal weddings. It’s not necessary for him to match his suit to what the other men are wearing. For example, the father fo the bride can wear that dashing navy blue suit he already owns, even if the groom and groomsmen are wearing charcoal gray. It is a good idea to keep a general tone in mind, however, so if the groom and groomsmen are all wearing light tan suits with silver cufflinks from a Raleigh jewelry store for a spring afternoon wedding, the bride’s father might wish to choose a suit in a light gray rather than black or navy. Be wary of pinstripe suits that resemble business attire and double-breasted suits that look bad when worn with the jacket open.
When the groom is wearing a jacket and trousers rather than a full suit, the father of the bride has the option of doing the same. While the groom wears a blazer, it’s no problem for the father of the bride to wear a suit if he feels too casual in a blazer. There are a few things to keep in mind when teh father of the bride opts to wear a blazer and trousers. Whether a light weight wool for summer or flannel for winter, the blazer’s fabric should suit the season. In general, avoid anything “loud” — that madras patch blazer belongs on the golf course, not in a wedding; stick to solid colors. Instead of cotton khakis, try wool gabardine trousers, as they avoid wrinkling and will always look crisp.
Finally, the father of the bride should fit in with the general style of the wedding while not avoiding his own personal flair. This could mean a tuxedo for an evening wedding (even if he doesn’t like to dress up) or a light color suit to coordinate with the groom’s seersucker. He must always wear a tie! The bride can help her dad by shopping with him and by getting him a gift to complete his outfit like a new tie or a pair of monogrammed cufflinks (perhaps found at the same Raleigh jewelry store where she picked up her bridesmaid gifts). The father of the bride should look handsome enough to escort his daughter down the aisle, and unobtrusive enough as to not draw attention away from the gorgeous bride!
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