What to wear to a rehearsal dinner
For a rehearsal dinner, men should dress one step below the wedding itself. For most weddings, that means a sport coat or suit without a tie, a collared shirt, trousers or chinos, and leather shoes.
The outfit
Example photo: MART PRODUCTION / PexelsBlazer and roll-neck
- JacketOlive or grey unstructured blazer
- TrousersStone wool trousers
- ShirtBlack merino roll-neck
- NeckwearNone
- ShoesDark brown suede chukka boots
- ExtrasBrown belt matched to shoes
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Change the season, venue or budget in the app, and shop each piece at real stores.
Tips
- Dress one level below the wedding: for a black tie wedding, a suit and maybe a tie; for a cocktail wedding, a sport coat or suit with no tie; for a casual wedding, a collared shirt and chinos.
- If the invite gives a dress code, follow it. If not, the venue is your best clue: a steakhouse is dressier than a backyard.
- Avoid all-white or ivory outfits. A white shirt under a jacket is fine.
- If you’re in the wedding party or giving a toast, lean dressier; you’ll be in more photos.
If the invite names a dress code
Semi-formal
Semi-formal for men means a suit, or a sport coat with dress trousers, plus a collared dress shirt and leather shoes. The tie is optional, and a tuxedo is too much.
Smart casual
Smart casual for men means a jacket without a tie: a blazer or sport coat, a collared shirt or fine knit, chinos or wool trousers, and leather shoes or clean minimal sneakers.
Dressy casual
Dressy casual for men means a collared shirt with dress trousers or chinos, usually a sport coat or blazer, and leather shoes. A tie is optional, and jeans are usually too casual.
Casual
For a casual event, men can skip the jacket and tie but should still look put together: a pressed button-up or polo, chinos or dark jeans, and clean shoes.
Common questions
Do I need a tie for a rehearsal dinner?
Usually not. A tie makes sense for a formal dinner or the night before a black tie wedding.
Can I wear jeans to a rehearsal dinner?
Only at a casual rehearsal, like a backyard barbecue, and only dark, clean jeans with a collared shirt.
What should the groom wear to the rehearsal dinner?
Something a step below his wedding outfit, often a suit without a tie or a sport coat. Many grooms pick a lighter or bolder color than the wedding suit.
Have the invite?
Paste it into Dress the Part and get the dress code decoded, an outfit for your season and venue, and where to buy each piece at any budget.