Best Man Outfit Guide

Start with the dress code

Before you buy anything, ask the groom what he’s wearing and check the invitation. Most UK weddings fall into one of three dress codes:

• Lounge suit. A smart two- or three-piece suit with a tie. It’s the most common dress code and the easiest to get right. Our guide to the lounge suit dress code explains what it means and what colours work.
• Morning suit. Tailcoat, waistcoat and striped trousers, usually for a formal daytime wedding. Most people hire rather than buy, and the wedding party normally matches.
• Black tie. Dinner suit and bow tie, mostly for evening weddings. If the groom is in black tie, so are you.

If the invitation doesn’t say, a well-fitting lounge suit is the safe bet.

Should the best man wear the same as the groom?

Usually, no. The best man and the groomsmen tend to match each other, and the groom wears something slightly different so he stands out. That might be a different colour waistcoat, a different tie or a different buttonhole rather than a whole different suit.

Some grooms want the whole wedding party in identical suits, and that’s their call. Either way, ask before you buy, and never turn up looking sharper than the groom. Bright colours and comedy ties are a no.

The suit: buy or hire?

Your best man suit is the biggest decision and the biggest spend.

• Hire if it’s a morning suit or black tie you won’t wear again, or if the whole party needs to match exactly. Book early and get measured properly, ideally a few months out.
• Buy if it’s a lounge suit you’ll wear again for work, interviews and other weddings. Leave time for alterations. Sleeves and trouser length are the usual fixes.

Whichever you choose, try the full outfit on well before the day, with the shoes.

Shirt, tie or cravat

A crisp white or pale blue shirt works with almost everything. If you’re wearing cufflinks you’ll need a double cuff shirt. Our guide to best man shirts covers cuffs, fit and colours.

The tie usually matches the rest of the groomsmen and is chosen by the groom. If it’s a morning suit you may be wearing a cravat instead. Practise with our step-by-step guide to tying a cravat before the morning of the wedding, not on it.

Finishing touches

This is where the best man can show a bit of personality without breaking the dress code.

• Cufflinks. A pair made for the role, or something engraved. See our pick of best man cufflinks and our guide to personalised cufflinks.
• Socks. The one place a joke is allowed, as long as it only shows when you sit down. Browse our best man socks.
• Buttonhole. Normally supplied by the couple and matched to the bouquet. Learn how to pin one properly in our guide to buttonhole flowers, because you’ll probably be pinning the groom’s too.
• Shoes. Polished, comfortable and worn in. You’ll be standing for the photos and dancing later.
• Pocket square and tie clip. Small, cheap, and they make a suit look finished.

Who pays for the best man’s outfit?

Traditionally, the best man pays for his own outfit. If the couple want everyone in a particular hired suit, some will cover or chip in towards the cost, but don’t assume it. Have the conversation early so nobody is surprised.

Groomsmen attire

Everything above goes for the groomsmen too. As best man you’ll often end up being the one who chases them: who’s been measured, who’s collected their hire suit, and who still hasn’t bought a pair of black shoes. Set a deadline a couple of weeks before the wedding and check everyone has the full outfit, not just the jacket.

What should a female best man wear?

The same rules apply: follow the dress code, coordinate with the groomsmen and don’t upstage the couple. That could mean a tailored suit that matches the groomsmen, or a dress or jumpsuit in the wedding party’s colours with a matching buttonhole. Talk it through with the groom and go with what you’ll be comfortable in all day.

The night before and the morning of

Lay the whole outfit out the night before and check it’s all there:

• Suit, shirt and tie or cravat, pressed and on hangers
• Cufflinks, tie clip and pocket square
• Socks, polished shoes and a belt or braces
• Collar stays, if your shirt uses them
• A lint roller and a few safety pins for last-minute emergencies

For the rest of the day’s jobs, from the rings to the speech, use our best man checklist.