Someone in your life has decided to tie the knot this fall. The season where millions of leaves plummet to their deaths. Pretty romantic, huh?
In fairness, those withering leaves make a lovely natural backdrop. And unlike a summer wedding, this ceremony won’t have you drenched in sweat.
But there’s a catch: Fall weddings come right after the summer. That means you’ve been thinking about hosting backyard BBQs and lowering your handicap — not about what you’re going to wear on someone’s big day.
Luckily, we saw this issue coming a long way off.
To help you figure out your ideal fall wedding attire, we created this quick-start style guide.
Stay with us for the next five minutes, and you’re guaranteed to find a guest outfit that fits the bill.
First, decipher the wedding dress code
In an ideal world, your invite would detail exactly what the nearly-weds expect you to wear.
But as we all know, the ideal world only exists in The Truman Show.
That means you’re going to have to decipher the vague instructions yourself. Here’s your cryptographic key:
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Formal / Black tie: "We expect you to wear your tuxedo."
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Black-tie optional: "You can drop the bow tie if you like."
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Semi-formal: "Suits in other colors are now permitted."
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Cocktail: "Bold colors are now encouraged."
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Casual: "Honestly, just look like you made some effort."
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No dress code: "Somewhere between your tux and your Jordan jersey."
That's the one-sentence summary. But you probably came here for something more concrete.
5 wardrobe staples to cover any fall wedding
Constructing your wedding look is a bit like putting together something from IKEA. You need to check you have all the parts before assembly.
Obviously, the exact roster will vary depending on the dress code. But owning these five staples is a strong starting point.
1. A crisp white shirt
The non-negotiable anchor of your formalwear.
A high-quality white dress shirt is the ultimate blank canvas. It works with a tux, with most suits, or with just a blazer and trousers.
2. Performance pants that actually perform
Traditional dress pants aren't really cut out for weddings.
You need a pair of pants that can handle the dance floor, a few spilled drinks, and a cross-country flight — all without a single wrinkle or complaint.
Our Jetsetter Tech Pants are engineered for exactly this. They have the tailored look, but with the stretch and comfort of your favorite athletic gear.
3. A versatile wool blazer
A nicely fitted wool blazer in charcoal, navy, or brown tweed can help you hit the mark on smart casual and semi-formal dress codes.
It adds a layer of warmth and sophistication, and you can pair your blazer with pretty much any pants in your closet (maybe not those baggy jeans).
4. Polished leather dress shoes
For fall weddings, you need a pair of shoes that can survive the wet grass outside the church, and hours of dancing after the ceremony. But they still need to be smart.
Brown leather Oxfords are perfect for autumn — they’ll complement the season's rich color palette, and work with both navy and gray suits.
5. A textured tie
We hate to disappoint, but your shiny, corporate-looking silk tie isn't going to work.
You need something with more seasonal character… a wool or flannel tie in an earthy tone like burgundy, olive green, or navy should do the trick.
Stylish starter kits: Men’s wedding attire ideas
Let's return to the flat-pack furniture analogy for a moment.
Every product comes with an instruction sheet that explains how the parts go together. That precious page is the difference between a nice addition to your home and an embarrassing waste of pine.
This section of our guide is your instruction sheet.
We've put together five complete outfits that'll help you stand out (for the right reasons) this fall.
The "autumnal tux" look
This isn’t the rental you remember your dad wearing. This is the modern tuxedo, perfect for a formal or black-tie optional event.
Get the fit and suit color right, and you'll be the guy who gets a "wow" when you walk into the room.
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Top: A shawl collar tuxedo jacket in deep burgundy or midnight blue velvet. Pair it with a white dress shirt and a real bow tie.
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Bottom: Classic black tuxedo trousers with a satin stripe. Suits you, sir.
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Shoes: Polished black patent leather shoes. If you're feeling a bit Clark Gable, switch to velvet slippers.
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Accessories: A simple white pocket square and a self-tied black bow tie (seriously, just watch a YouTube video).
Pro tip: When the invitation says “black tie optional,” take the option. When else do you get to dress like an A-lister?
The "classic, not basic" suit
Perfect for a semi-formal wedding, where you want to look sophisticated without blending into the background.
This look is all about elevating a classic suit with smart, personal details. It’s polished, confident, and anything but boring.
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Top: A well-tailored, dark wool suit. Think charcoal, navy, or even a subtle pinstripe. Go with a crisp white or light blue shirt, leaving the top button undone (very racy).
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Bottom: Matching dark wool trousers.
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Shoes: Brown leather loafers. Choose tassels for extra zest.
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Accessories: A pocket square with a pop of fall color. No tie needed.
Pro tip: Put some thought into the details. The unexpected choice of a tassel loafer or a double-breasted jacket is what separates you from the guys who just put on their work suit.
The “mountain lodge chic” style
Heading to a rustic barn or hillside lodge for the ceremony? This is your play.
It’s a rugged yet refined look that balances style with the practical need for warmth and comfort. You’ll look right at home next to a roaring fire, a glass of bourbon in hand.
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Top: A tweed or wool blazer in a rich earth tone. Underneath, a textured flannel or micro-corduroy shirt in forest green or navy.
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Bottom: A pair of dark Jack Archer Jetsetter Tech Pants. Obviously.
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Shoes: Suede loafers or sturdy leather boots.
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Accessories: A chunky knitted tie, and a wool overcoat if it’s extra chilly.
Pro tip: Layering is important. A vest or cardigan can be added for warmth and easily removed if you hit the dance floor. This look is all about functional, effortless style.
The “Great Gatsby on vacation” ensemble
The cocktail dress code essentially begs you to bring some personality. And this outfit delivers by the boatload.
It’s festive, sharp, with a touch of old-school cool.
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Top: Slip on a suit in an adventurous fall fabric like corduroy, or select a bold color like burnt orange or olive green.
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Bottom: The matching suit trousers.
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Shoes: Brown leather Derby shoes for some old-school class.
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Accessories: A pocket square with a paisley print, and the funnest socks you own.
Pro tip: The key to pulling this off is by avoiding going full costume. Choose one vintage element (maybe the pocket square, maybe the hat) and keep everything else contemporary.
The "rustic gentleman" vibe
For the casual or semi-formal outdoor wedding, this outfit is how you do rustic with refinement.
It’s built around the timeless appeal of tweed, with a few key additions to avoid hillbilly Peaky Blinders territory.
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Top: A brown or gray tweed vest and blazer. Pair it with a comfortable flannel or Oxford shirt.
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Bottom: The matching tweed trousers.
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Shoes: Brown leather brogue boots.
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Accessories: A simple wool scarf in a complementary color like navy or burgundy.
Pro tip: Want to be really prepared for the evening chill? A camel trench coat will keep you warm and stylish.
Need an outfit for the warmer months? Head over to our summer wedding guide for men. It's just like this one, but sunnier.
How to style your wedding guest outfit
In reality, you're probably not going to wear the exact outfits above. And that's totally fine. You should wear something that matches your individual style.
But as you venture off piste, be sure to follow these key styling principles:
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Layer like your life depends on it: One minute it's sweater weather, the next, you're questioning why you wore wool. The solution to unpredictable fall weather? Layer strategically. A lightweight sweater under a blazer gives you options.
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Accessorize, but never attempt full peacock: A pocket square? Classy. A boutonniere? Thoughtful. A full three-piece suit with suspenders, bow tie, AND a pocket watch? Congratulations, you're now the most interesting man at a Renaissance fair.
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Shoe game strong, ankle game stronger: Invest in comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear that can handle every surface. That way, you won’t end up with feet like a trench soldier. And please, we beg, make sure your socks match.
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Aim for tasteful color coordination: Yes, it's fall. No, you don't need to dress like a human pumpkin spice latte. Embrace rich, seasonal colors — deep blues, forest greens, warm grays — just don't overdo it.
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NEVER upstage the bride and groom: Your job is to look good enough to impress, but not so good that the next table starts a betting pool on whether you're single. Think "handsomely appropriate," not "Hollywood red carpet ready."
Be the best-dressed male guest this fall
Dressing for a fall wedding isn't rocket science. It's barely a K-12 class, actually.
If you keep it classy, hold on to your dry cleaning receipt, and dodge the bouquet, you're pretty much set for a great day.
Remember, if you want to stay relaxed through the journey there, the ceremony, the meal, the dance, and whatever comes later… grab a pair of Jetsetter Tech Pants. You’ll be the most stylish and comfortable guest there!
