With the summer wedding season upon us, you might be dreading having to suit up in the hotter temps for special occasions. Artful Tailoring has put together a guide of outfit ideas that will hopefully ease your prep, and get you excited about donning some new duds.

Colors:

Medium and light blue, and light grey suit colors are still formal appropriate with the right accessories but won’t trap in heat like darker colors would. A tan suit works for more casual dress codes, and is a nice addition to your wardrobe if you already have the basics covered.

Another fresh option would be the powder blue suit (or jacket). This color is actually very versatile. To dress it up, pair it with a nice white button up, a cream or off-white bowtie, and add an extra pinch of class with some cufflinks.

Fabrics:

Seersucker, Cotton, or Linen suit options are alternatives to the traditional wool route. They are all made of natural fibers, so you can ensure that they will be breathable during outdoor activities. However, make sure you know the interior construction of these garments. Look for those that have a half or full canvas interior rather than a fused. You’ll defeat the purpose of buying a natural fabric jacket just to have it be made with synthetic interfacing. Side note: Cotton and Linen naturally tend to wrinkle pretty fast, and the last thing you want is taking a great picture only to be distracted by a wrinkled suit or jacket! If you know you’ll be photographed a lot, we suggest sticking with a lightweight wool.

How to Wear It:

You don’t need to throw on a 3-piece suit in order to look put together. Break up your garment and wear it as separates. This gives you more freedom to mix and match it with heat-friendly pieces, and to try on a new outfit you maybe hadn’t thought to wear before. If the event is more towards the formal side, you can always wear the jacket for the ceremony. After thats over and pictures galore have been snapped, ditch the jacket and throw on a vest for the reception. It’s a lot easier to dance in! Focus on dressing up your look with clean accessories like a nice watch, pocket square, or fun tie. Don’t forget to play with color if the dress code allows!

If you’re looking to purchase a new jacket, try finding half-lined or unlined pieces that will be even more forgiving in the intense heat.

Regardless of which option you go with, make sure to get everything tailored and you’ll look great no matter what!