Dressing a wedding party is mostly logistics: five or eight men of different heights and builds, often living in different places, who all need to look like they belong together on one morning. The suit colour comes from the venue, the season, the palette and the formality, and the rest comes from discipline about fabric and accessories. Below are twenty groomsman looks, from dependable neutrals and earthy colours to black tie and relaxed outdoor options, each with the shirt, tie, shoes, belt and pocket square I’d put with it. Keep every suit in the same cloth and colour, then tailor each man individually. The groom can stand apart with a contrasting vest, a patterned tie, a different boutonniere or an upgraded jacket. And start fittings earlier than feels necessary.
Should the Groomsmen Rent or Buy?
This decision shapes everything else, so I settle it before anyone picks a colour. Renting keeps the cost down and guarantees identical cloth, because every suit comes from the same stock. The trade-off is fit: rentals are cut to standard sizes and only lightly adjusted, so a slim or very tall groomsman may never look quite right. Buying lets each man have his suit properly tailored, and he keeps something he can wear again, but it costs more and you lose some control over shade if people buy separately.
Measurements I ask every groomsman for
- Chest, waist and seat, measured over a thin shirt by someone else, not by himself.
- Sleeve and inseam lengths, plus height and weight, which rental companies use to cross-check.
- Neck size for the shirt, with one finger of room so the collar can button all day.
- Shoe size in the specific brand if shoes are rented, since sizing varies between makers.
Out-of-town groomsmen can be measured at any local tailor and send the numbers in. Ask them for a full-length photo in a suit they already own, too. It shows posture and build in a way numbers can’t.
1. Navy Groomsman Suit
Navy is the colour I default to when a couple can’t decide, because it flatters almost every skin tone and works from noon to midnight. A navy groomsman suit in matte wool or a wool blend, two-button jacket and flat-front trousers, looks polished without feeling stiff. A white shirt keeps the contrast clean, and the tie carries the palette: sage, burgundy, dusty rose or silver. Dark brown oxfords, a matching belt and a folded white square finish it. The catch is shade: navy varies more between mills than people think, and a row of slightly different navies shows up immediately in a group photo. Order every suit from the same source. Put the groom in a navy three-piece or a patterned tie.
2. Black Tuxedo Groomsman Suit
Tuxedos are unforgiving about consistency, so the rules need to be written down. For a black-tie evening, a classic black tuxedo with peak or shawl satin lapels, flat-front trousers and a properly fitted white formal shirt is the standard. Everyone wears black bow ties, black patent shoes or very highly polished oxfords, plain white pocket squares and quiet cufflinks. Decide in advance whether the group wears studs, a cummerbund or a waistcoat, and what socks, because one man in a vest and another in a cummerbund is what the photos remember. An ivory dinner jacket or a different boutonniere marks the groom. Ballrooms and historic hotels with a formal dress code suit it best.
3. Charcoal Gray Groomsman Suit
Charcoal gives you the weight of a dark suit with less severity than black, and it hides creases from a long day better than lighter greys. A well-tailored charcoal jacket and trousers over a bright white shirt work with black oxfords for evening or dark brown shoes for something more relaxed. Pick the tie from the wedding colours: black, silver, forest green, burgundy or muted blue. A white square stops the dark palette looking heavy. I like charcoal for autumn, winter, industrial and city venues. The groom can take a charcoal vest, a textured tie or a double-breasted jacket.
4. Light Gray Groomsman Suit
Light grey shows every flaw in the cloth, so I’d choose a fabric with some body to it. Thin, shiny light grey wrinkles at the elbows and the back of the knee by mid-afternoon. With a structured wool, matching suits and white shirts look fresh at a daytime wedding, and ties in dusty blue, lavender, sage, navy or blush bring colour. Medium-brown derbies and matching belts warm it up. For a minimal palette, pale grey ties and white squares let the flowers do the talking. Hem each man’s trousers and sleeves individually, since light suits show a bad break more than dark ones. A groom in mid grey or navy stands out naturally.
5. Tan Groomsman Suit
Tan is warm and photographs well in sunlight, but the exact shade matters a great deal. A tan groomsman suit should be balanced, not leaning yellow or orange, which turns sallow in afternoon light. Pair it with a white or ivory shirt and a terracotta, olive, chocolate or muted floral tie. Brown loafers or lace-ups and a matching belt keep it coordinated, and squares can be white, cream or softly patterned. Tan fits rustic, desert, barn and late-summer weddings. Never let attendants find their own tan; buy every suit from the same collection. A deeper brown suit or a tan three-piece with a contrasting vest suits the groom.
6. Beige Linen Groomsman Suit
Pure linen will crease the moment the groomsmen sit down for the ceremony, and some couples love that rumpled look while others hate it in the photos. That’s why I usually suggest a linen blend: it breathes nearly as well in heat and humidity but holds its press for longer. Pair a single-breasted beige jacket and trousers with an open-collar white shirt for a relaxed code, or a light blue knit tie for something smarter. Brown suede loafers, woven belts and cream squares suit the texture. This is a beach, coast or destination outfit. The groom can add a vest, a tie or a slightly darker jacket.
7. Sage Green Groomsman Suit
Sage changes more than most colours from one supplier to the next; one brand’s sage is another’s mint. Settle on a single muted, dusty shade and buy all the suits together. With a white or soft ivory shirt, a taupe, cream, floral or dark green tie and medium-brown loafers, it looks grounded at gardens, vineyards and spring outdoor venues. Keep squares neutral and let small boutonnieres add colour. Put the groom in forest green, cream or a sage three-piece so he stays connected but clearly first.
8. Forest Green Groomsman Suit
Forest green is the colour I offer couples who’ve had enough of navy, and it works best in matte cloth. Shiny green fabric looks costume-like under flash. With a white shirt, black or deep brown shoes and a matching belt, black ties give a formal finish, while champagne, rust or botanical ties soften it outdoors. White squares lift the dark colour. Woodland venues, historic estates, lofts and winter ballrooms all suit it. The groom can wear the same green with a vest and special tie, or switch to black, charcoal or cream for clearer separation.
9. Olive Green Groomsman Suit
Olive sits between green and brown, and the undertone decides how it behaves. Olive with a grey cast looks smart; one leaning yellow can look military. Choose a streamlined cut so the unusual colour still reads tailored, then add a white, cream or pale blue shirt and a rust, tan, chocolate or dark green tie. Brown derbies or suede loafers, a matching belt and a cream square suit outdoor autumn ceremonies, mountain venues and rustic settings. The groom looks right in chocolate brown, deep green or a darker olive three-piece, and matching boutonnieres link both outfits.
10. Chocolate Brown Groomsman Suit
Chocolate brown is having a real revival in men’s tailoring, and it’s warmer on camera than black or charcoal. Choose a deep, even brown and give it contrast with an ivory or white shirt. Cream, rust, sage, dusty blue or tonal brown ties sit easily with autumn flowers. Dark brown oxfords, a polished belt and a white square finish it. Different browns side by side look like a mistake, so don’t mix suits with different undertones across the group. It suits wood-panelled rooms, estates and earth-toned weddings. A lighter camel suit, a brown three-piece or a textured jacket marks the groom.
11. Burgundy Groomsman Suit
Burgundy is bold, and it shifts under different light. Under warm tungsten bulbs it can look almost brown, and under daylight it reads closer to red, so I always line the suits up together in the venue’s kind of light before choosing ties. White shirts stop the outfit looking too dark. Black ties and black oxfords make an evening combination; blush, champagne, navy or a subtle floral with dark brown shoes softens it. Keep squares white or cream rather than adding another strong colour. It fits autumn celebrations, theatres and historic venues. The groom can wear black, charcoal or a burgundy three-piece with a contrasting vest.
12. Dusty Blue Groomsman Suit
Dusty blue is the gentle middle between pale blue and navy, and its muted tone is what keeps it from looking like prom wear. It needs a matte, structured fabric to hold a tailored shape. Pair it with a crisp white shirt and a navy, silver, sage, mauve or restrained floral tie, plus medium-brown shoes and a matching belt. Since the suit colour already provides interest, keep shirts and accessories identical across the group. It suits waterfront ceremonies, spring gardens and country clubs. The groom can wear navy, mid blue or a dusty blue three-piece.
13. Royal Blue Groomsman Suit
Royal blue is loud, so everything around it should be quiet. Choose a refined medium-bright shade and avoid electric blue with a sheen, which glows oddly in flash photos. A plain white shirt and a navy, black, silver or burgundy tie keep it controlled. Dark brown or black shoes both work, but every groomsman wears the same colour. A matching belt and simple white square finish it. It suits modern hotels and big, bright venues where a strong colour won’t overwhelm the room. A dark navy three-piece on the groom gives clear contrast, with matching ties or flowers tying the party together.
14. Classic Black Groomsman Suit
A plain black suit is a sensible answer when the invitation is formal but not black tie, and most men already own one. The risk is that it looks like office wear, and consistency is what prevents that. Matte black two-button jackets and trousers, sharp white shirts, black oxfords, black belts, dark socks and white squares should match across the group. Ties can stay black for a sleek effect or bring in burgundy, emerald, champagne or dusty blue. Watch for the man who turns up in brown casual shoes. It suits evening ceremonies, galleries and lofts. The groom can wear a black three-piece, a velvet jacket or a patterned tie.
15. Double-Breasted Navy Groomsman Suit
Double-breasted jackets must be worn buttoned, which means the fit across the stomach has to be right for every man, or the front pulls into an X. Budget for proper alterations. A double-breasted navy suit with balanced lapels and gently tapered trousers brings real presence to a formal party. White shirts give the sharpest base, and silver, burgundy, dark green or navy ties keep it refined. Dark brown or black oxfords, matching belts and white squares finish it. The jacket already makes a statement, so skip busy ties and oversized boutonnieres. The groom can take a navy three-piece, a dinner jacket or a different lapel.
16. Gray Three-Piece Groomsman Suit
Three-piece suits are a smart choice for long receptions, because when the jackets come off after dinner the waistcoat keeps everyone looking dressed. A gray three-piece suit in medium grey works all year. Add a white shirt, a navy or burgundy tie, a white square and polished brown oxfords. The waistcoat should sit flat against the torso, cover the trouser waistband and show a little tie at the top without peeking below the jacket hem. I check every man standing and seated, since a waistcoat that’s too short leaves a gap of shirt when he sits. Mark the groom with a darker suit, patterned waistcoat or special tie.
17. Brown Tweed Groomsman Suit
Tweed is the most forgiving cloth for a cold or rustic wedding, because the texture hides creases and absorbs light rather than reflecting it. Pair a brown tweed jacket and coordinated trousers with a white or pale blue shirt, then add a knitted tie in forest green, rust, navy or burgundy. Dark brown brogues, a matching belt and a cream square keep it from looking heavy. Mixing different tweeds across the group looks unplanned, so use the same cloth for every jacket. It suits lodges, country estates and barns in autumn or winter. Tweed is warm, though; for an indoor reception, make sure the venue isn’t overheated.
18. Blue Seersucker Groomsman Suit
Seersucker’s puckered stripe holds air away from the skin, which is why it’s comfortable in heat, and it’s designed to look slightly crinkled, so it doesn’t need pressing on the day. Choose a subtle blue-and-white stripe with a crisp white shirt and a solid navy, pale blue or soft pink tie. Brown loafers, a medium-brown belt and a white square suit the relaxed fabric. Skip ties for a casual ceremony, but make sure everyone skips them. Avoid patterned shirts beside the stripe. Coastal, garden and summer outdoor settings suit it. The groom can wear solid navy or a seersucker three-piece.
19. Navy Pinstripe Groomsman Suit
Pinstripes expose fit problems: a stripe that bows at the back or doesn’t run straight down the trouser leg tells everyone the suit needs altering. That’s why I insist on proper tailoring for this one. Choose a fine, low-contrast stripe so the group looks polished rather than theatrical, with a solid white shirt, a plain navy or burgundy tie and dark brown oxfords. A matching belt and white square finish it. No striped shirts, no patterned ties, no novelty socks. It suits urban weddings, historic hotels and evening receptions. The groom can wear solid navy, charcoal or a three-piece pinstripe.
20. Mixed Neutral Groomsman Suits
Mixed neutrals let each groomsman wear a shade that suits him, and they only work when the repeated pieces do the uniting. Assign the shades yourself, taupe, tan, beige, light brown and soft grey, and keep fabric weight and formality the same. Then repeat everything else: white shirts, chocolate ties, brown shoes, matching belts, cream squares. I send each man a fabric swatch or a photo guide before he shops, because left alone someone will turn up in a linen blazer and someone else in wool. It suits relaxed outdoor and destination weddings. The groom wears the darkest neutral, a three-piece or a contrasting jacket so he’s easy to find in every photo.
A Fitting Schedule That Leaves Room for Mistakes
Most problems with groomsman suits come from running out of time, not from bad choices. I work backwards from the wedding date like this, and I’d add a few weeks if anyone is travelling in from far away.
- Four to six months out: pick the suit, colour and supplier, and share the full outfit list.
- Three months out: collect every measurement and place the orders together.
- Six to eight weeks out: purchased suits arrive; each man books his own alterations.
- Two to three weeks out: final fittings, with the exact shirt and shoes worn to them.
- The week of the wedding: rentals are usually collected or delivered now. Try them on the same day so any wrong size can still be swapped.
The Wedding-Morning Kit the Best Man Should Carry
Small things go wrong on the morning itself, and most of them are fixed in a minute with the right kit. The usual culprits are a French-cuff shirt with no cufflinks, a missing collar stay, a scuffed shoe or brand-new leather soles that slide on a polished floor.
- Spare cufflinks, collar stays, a pair of dark socks and a plain black and a plain brown belt.
- A lint roller, a travel steamer and a small sewing kit with a few spare buttons.
- Shoe polish wipes, plus a strip of sandpaper to rough up slippery new soles.
- Safety pins for boutonnieres and a printed note of how the pocket squares should be folded.
Same Fabric, Same Shoes, One Groom Who Stands Out
A good wedding party look balances how it photographs with how it feels by the last dance, and it has to fit the venue, the weather and the budget. Navy, charcoal, grey and black are dependable foundations; sage, forest green, burgundy, brown and dusty blue bring more personality. Whatever the colour, the same cloth, matching accessories and individual tailoring make the biggest difference. Send the groomsmen written instructions covering shirts, shoes, belts, ties and squares, and book fittings early enough to handle exchanges. Give the groom one or two distinctive details, and the group will look like a team from the ceremony through the reception.
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