Planning an oceanside or tropical wedding and unsure what suit is appropriate? With beach dresses flowing in the breeze, grooms also need the right attire that’s lightweight yet stylish. We cover the best suits and materials that look great and handle sand, sun, and surfside nuptials.
The best suits for beach weddings and destination events are made of lightweight materials like linen, silk, or wrinkle-resistant tonal seersucker, and paired with breathable shirts and leather shoes to match the casual beach setting.
Table of Contents
Factors to Consider for a Beach Suit
When choosing a suit for a beach event, there are some practical considerations that differ from a traditional suit. The key is finding one where you’ll feel comfortable in the heat and that goes with the relaxed, summery wedding theme.
Climate Control
Temperatures at coastal weddings can climb, so lightweight breathable options from tropical wool, linen, or silk are most suitable. In particular, linen and linen blends are common choices for beach suits, as the fabric keeps grooms cool. However, opt for lined trousers for more modesty walking on windy shores. If wedding temperatures drop, a coordinating jacket over a dress shirt can trim the chill.
Color Palette
Lighter shades work best for beach weddings, rather than dark business-style suits. Common color choices include soft blue, sand beige, light gray and ivory suits with a mottled or textured pattern to match easygoing vibes. White or cream linen also looks crisp by the sea. Avoid harsh black suits and ties, as the color absorbs heat and looks too formal. Instead, match fabric patterns and tie colors to coordinate with the bridal party.
Material Durability
Seaside air carries moisture and sand that can damage fine wools or silks. Linen is more durable for beach conditions, resists wrinkles and stains, and appears less rumpled. Some seersucker suits are also treated for moisture resistance. When seated at oceanfront ceremonies and receptions, have a cloth underneath to prevent stains from damp chairs. Avoid velvets or textured fabrics that show imprints.
Shoes That Go The Distance
Leave the oxfords or dress shoes at home, as leather absorbs water and sinks into sand. Opt instead for breathable casual loafers made of leather or woven fabrics. Espadrilles go well with the beach location, have rubber soles for traction on slick surfaces, and shed excess sand easily. Just avoid wearing flip flops, as they lack the polish suited for beach formalwear.
Best Fabrics For Beach Wedding Suits
Finding the most breathable, durable fabrics is key for destination suits you’ll wear oceanside or in tropical locales. From versatile linens to light seersuckers, here are top options for beachfront celebrations.
Airy Linen
Of all suiting fabrics, linen excels in warm climates and makes a fine choice for seaside celebrations. The textile comes from the flax plant and has an open weave for airflow. That helps reflect heat and makes linen ideal for keeping grooms cool even in sweltering temperatures. It also resists sand, sheds wrinkles well, and drapes nicely for a relaxed profile. White or ivory linen looks quite smart by the sea. For more comfort, linen blends add softness and durability.
Lightweight Seersucker
A favorite for balmy southern climes and known for its puckered stripes, lightweight seersucker also suits beach weddings well. The fabric is woven so parts billow out for better venting, especially in high humidity. Refined seersucker blends are also treated with moisture-wicking properties essential for waterfront events, given ocean spray and damp breezes. Blue striped seersucker paired with a sand-hued shirt evokes sunshine and surf.
Tropical Wool Blends
While wool may seem too insulating for beach climates, newer technical wool blends create fine substitutes for seaside wear. Chief among these is tropical wool, which combines wool’s natural softness with enhanced breathability and moisture control. Light shades in tropical wool look crisp without sacrificing comfort, even when temperatures or emotions run high. Just avoid heavier constructions or dark colors, which absorb rather than deflect warmth in tropical locales.
Lightweight Silk/Linen Blends
For a dressier take on beach wedding style, lightweight silk and linen textile blends offer a refined polish. The inclusion of silk adds a lustrous sheen befitting formal weddings. Yet when blended with linen that promotes airflow and makes the weave less shiny, the result is a suit perfect for both beach and ballroom. An alternative for warmer areas is silk blended with breathable tropical wool for suits grooms can wear year-round.
Best Suit Styles and Colors
With the right luxury fabrics selected to beat seaside heat, the next choice is which suit silhouette and tones to select. Here are fine options for complementing wedding themes from oceanside casual to island elegance.
Soft Blue Chambray or Linen
Bringing the color of sea and sky, a light powder blue linen or chambray suit lets grooms shine even under high noon skies in the tropics. The lighter blue shade flatters most complexions and coordinates well with lighter blue dress shirts or even white for summer. An open notch lapel keeps the look laid-back luxury. For groomsmen’s style uniformity, select different light blue hues offset by alternate shirt colors like ivory. Complete the coastal cool palette with leather loafers or espadrilles.
Sand Beige or Khaki Suiting
For unity with sandy shores, stone hues like beige, tan and khaki make dashing options that pop against the neutral backdrop. Suits in these lighter earthen tones pair well with pale blue shirts for contrast. A textured linen-cotton khaki suit with notch lapel makes a fine choice, lending dimension and tailored polish to the relaxed-fit style. Contrast a sand suit with darker brown leather loafers or suede bucks to anchor the easygoing outfit.
Light Gray Sharkskin or Herringbone
While darker grays read too urban for seaside, a light gray sharkskin or herringbone weave suit nicely bridges the formality divide. Paired with a faintly buff shirt, the pale salt-and-pepper patterns resemble waves crashing along the shore. Opt for a two-button closure in a slimmer contemporary cut, with side vents to allow ocean breezes to flow through. Off-white leather loafers continue the modern styling. Add a coordinating patterned necktie to complement a colorful wedding theme.
Lightweight Windowpane Plaid
Introduce dimension to solid suit colors with a muted plaid, glen plaid or windowpane pattern, like a lighter navy suit offset by beige gridlines. Wool-silk-linen blends create pliable suits with enough texture to convey depth, but not overwhelming visual weight. Keep the rest of the outfit simple — a solid off-white shirt and leather tassel loafers, skipping the tie. The lightweight suit supplies all the smart statement needed for groomsmen’s relaxed refinement.
Best Shirts, Shoes and Accessories
Finishing beach wedding outfits with the right shirts, shoes and extras pulls vacation-worthy suiting together. These winning options complete stylish groom’s attire for balmy “I Do’s”.
Breathable Dress Shirts
Crisp linen, lightweight cotton voile, even breezy blends like silk-cotton make prime pairings with tropical suit fabrics. Solid muted blue, stone and ivory shirts complement without overpowering, allowing patterned suit fabrics to stand out. Combining different pastel hues allows uniformity while distinguishing groomsmen. For comfort, leave necklines open and sleeves rolled, choosing breathable textiles with venting and moisture control.
Casual Leather Loafers or Espadrilles
Footwear finishes beach wedding style with polish. Leather options like loafers, boat shoes or lace-ups work well, preferably in brown hues echoing sandy shores. Opt for unlined varieties with ventilation and non-slip soles to handle damp surfaces. Woven fabrics like espadrilles also suit the relaxed motif with no socks for breathability. Just avoid black leathers and dress oxfords not made for coastline wear.
Sea-Inspired Accessories
Don’t overlook the chance to incorporate charming accents inspired by sailing and sunny surfside themes. Nautical patterned ties, coral or sand-colored cufflinks, even shell or starfish lapel pins make charming touches. Other options include straw fedoras, woven leather belts or hemp sand-hued neckwear to pick up on the location’s easygoing ambiance. Just don’t overdo embellishments that detract from the refined mood.
Mixing and Matching Separates
While most grooms opt for a coordinated suit for beach weddings, another option is mixing separates by pairing an odd vest, jacket or trousers. Such mismatched pieces allow more customization options to handle challenging seaside environments.
A navy blazer combined with medium blue trousers makes for easy mixing and matching. Swapping patterned linen or seersucker vests underneath the navy coat dresses the look up or down. Trade the vest for a cummerbund in a third coordinating color for a extra dash of flair.
Creative pairings like a tan cotton jacket over sky blue trousers and shirt also work nicely. Contrast the textures by wearing an off-white linen shirt under the cotton jacket, and complete the unconventional look by substituting leather lace-up shoes for loafers and skipping the tie.
When wearing separates, take some inspiration from runway looks by designers that specialize in light fabrics suited for tropical climes. For example, a Cuban guayabera shirt made of soft lightweight linen paired with slim white pants evokes South Beach Vice sophistication.
The key to creative success when mixing separate jacket, shirts, trousers and accessories is picking complementary colors and fabrics while varying silhouettes and sheens. That allows for multifunctional use of pieces across events, while maintaining cohesive style.
Wearing Lighter Business Suits Creatively
Many grooms preferring to wear suits have existing business varieties designed more for the boardroom than the beach. But with a few creative adjustments, many elegant wool, cotton and microfiber suits can get beach wedding ready.
Start by selecting lighter gray, tan or navy tones that translate well oceanside, avoiding black or dark pinstriped suits unsuited for tropical environs and dressing down with linen shirts with button-down collars.
Next, lose the ties and opt for open necks to encourage flow and ventilation. Swapping dress shoes for leather loafers or woven sandals sheds formality in favor of function.
For more versatility, keep suit coats separate and pair print shirts with odd trousers for rehearsal dinners or pre-wedding activities. Then don the full suit with crisp shirts for ceremonies maintaining enough polish.
Using suits already in your closet cuts costs while creative styling tweaks like folding jacket cuffs, sporting pocket squares matching the wedding palette or unbuttoning shirts further than usual, embrace the beach vibe.
Smart mixing and matching suits you have with new lightweight complementary separates and accessories does double duty stretching function and your fashion dollar.
Maintaining Suits and Preventing Damage
Investing in a quality lightweight suit tailored specifically for seaside affairs deserves care to protect the investment. Fortunately, some advance preparation helps head off repairs.
Transporting suits can inflict wrinkles or distortions, so use a garment bag when packing for destination travel. Upon arrival, allow time to steam the suit rather hang it where moisture and temperature differentials can degrade fabrics and seams.
Protecting the suit from sand exposure preserves the fabric’s integrity and appearance. Having a folding cloth or towel to sit on helps guard pants from collecting sand that can abrade fabric. Shake out shoes and pants cuffs before entering rooms or vehicles to avoid sand damage.
Spills are predictable among the food and fun at receptions, so have a Tide-to-go pen handy for prompt attention to stains. Avoid fabrics like silk that readily show water spots and stains. For post-wedding cleaning, specify “dry clean only” for delicate fabrics needing special handling to prevent shrinkage or damage during washing and drying.
Though designed for wear in demanding environments, tropical wool and linen suits have limits. Rotating suits rather than wearing the same one multiple times allows proper cleaning while stretching value across several weddings and special events.
Keeping Cool In Hot Climates
Above all else, avoiding sweating through suits ensures grooms feel comfortable exchanging vows and celebrating under tropical skies or sweltering in the sun. Beyond wearing moisture wicking light fabrics, additional wardrobe choices encourage airflow and ventilation.
Open weave shirts promote more cooling, so skip double layers with undershirts. Breathable socks in natural fibers like cotton also enhance ventilation within shoes. Skip hat accessories that hold in heat around the head, keeping cool blood flowing to the brain.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of cool liquids, while avoiding excess alcohol that dehydrates. Seek shaded respites between wedding activities to allow natural cooling rather than sit directly in the sun. Consult weather forecasts to aid planning what layers to wear or remove according to anticipated temperatures.
Making wise choices balancing style and comfort means grooms can confidently get through wedding day events without melting down. Listen to your body’s signals and adapt accessories and layers accordingly to maintain equilibrium. Keep celebrations flowing smoothly by dressing cool for beachfront nuptials.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect suit to say “I do” seaside or in tropical venues means paying heed to practicalities like heat, humidity and sand along with style. The best choices come by balancing breathable fabrics that also resist wrinkles with easy-wearing relaxed silhouettes cut for comfort yet retain polish.
Details like rolled sleeves, open shirt necks and casual loafers or espadrilles complete outfits mixing crisp tailoring with vacation laid-back refinement. Subtle accessories nodding to sailing motifs and sand-kissed hues reflect the sensibilities of island atmospheres. Most importantly, beach wedding suits let grooms feel as cool and carefree as ocean waves and balmy trade winds — even as matrimonial commitments beckon enticingly on the horizon.
When planning “at sea” or oceanside nuptials, suits with lightweight durable fabrics help beat the heat while resisting spills and stains inevitable amid food, drink and surf. Breathable complementary shirts and leather-soled loafers or vented dress sandals ground outfits in comfort without sacrificing celebratory style. Keep silhouettes contemporary and colors light to complement shoreline scenes. The result makes grooms and parties feel their breezy, adventurous best at relaxed weddings where vows give way to splashy festivities and stirring sunsets. With all the effort brides make to dazzle seaside, be sure grooms’ suiting shines bright to make lifelong memories.
FAQ
What fabrics work best for beach suits?
Lightweight linen, seersucker, tropical wools and silk/linen blends balance breathability, moisture wicking properties and crisp finishes needed for the heat and unpredictable seaside conditions.
What colors suit beach weddings?
Light blue, sand, stone, ivory and gray in lighter shades complement shoreline settings rather than overwhelm. Bolder blues and whites evoke the water and clouds. Avoid black, which absorbs too much sunlight and heat.
What style of suit is best?
A tailored yet relaxed contemporary suit in a slimmer cut allows movement and ventilation for active beachfront weddings. Features like unlined jackets, notch lapels and side vents keep air flowing while rolled sleeve shirts reject excess heat.
What shoes work for sand and surf?
Leather boat shoes, loafers and lace-ups shed water well, have non-slip soles for slick surfaces and avoid getting filled with sand like dress oxfords would. Woven espadrilles are another comfy option suited for kicking back at reception after-parties.
What other accessories polish the look?
Moderate nautical-themed accessories like striped ties, woven belts and sea creature pins add spirit without going overboard. Also consider straw fedoras, linen pocket squares and sunglass chains to complete the shoreline panache.
A tailored slim-cut contemporary linen, seersucker or lightweight wool suit in soft blue, sand, light gray, or subtle pattern pairs comfort with style for destination beach weddings, bridging relaxed and refined vibes. Breathable shirt and shoe choices beat the heat and handle surfside conditions.
