How to Dress For A Heatwave Wedding

How to Dress For A Heatwave Wedding

Ok, so the irony of writing about dressing for a 'heatwave' is not lost on us as we look out of our window and witness a dour July sky doing its best November impression, but the summer is still young and blazing hot days must still be out there somewhere! Regardless of whether you're heading to a wedding or a smart summer event, applying a smart or formal dress code to a hot-weather event can be tricky. Balmy days require a certain degree of wardrobe recalculation for both ladies and gents in order to feel comfortable and chic. English we might be, mad dogs we most certainly are not!

For the Gent

When it comes to formal weddings in the heat, then there are only a few elements you can tweak in order to be more comfortable. First and foremost, one needs to ensure that the weight of wool cloth used for the morning coat is as light as possible. Wool is surprisingly effective when it comes to temperature regulation and moisture wicking, especially the finer yarns of merino and cashmere. Cheaper morning coats tend to be made from average fibres which are heavier and often more coarse, whereas at Favourbrook we use a range of superior wool yarns made up of very fine lightweight fibres. All of our coats are thus suitable for hot summer days, but you may prefer to opt for a light grey style since it will reflect more of the sun's rays versus a jet black morning coat.

One's choice of shirt and waistcoat are the other factors to consider. A linen waistcoat with a silk back is an excellent option, being both lightweight and very breathable. One has fewer options when it comes to dress shirts since Marcella cotton is the standard, and opting for a linen shirt would not be formal enough. Cotton poplin is excellent, being lightweight, but you may wish to avoid pleated-front styles to remove any excess fabric and thus weight from the shirt.

 
 
 
main
 
 
 
 
 

For less formal weddings or smart summer events in general, then one's wardrobe should revolve around the linen suit. Linen is the perfect summer fabric, being extremely breathable and with the ability to wick away moisture. On top of that, it is very lightweight, and the inherently bright summer colours do a very good job of reflecting the sunlight. Plus, you are at the liberty of pairing the suit with a linen shirt, too.

Don't forget that the pocket square, often merely thought of as a superficial affectation, does in fact come in handy as a functional brow wipe when you are perspiring under the glow of the sun, so if you intend to use it as such, opt for a linen style rather than a silk one.

For the Lady

Ladies have the advantage of being more versatile when it comes to hot weather dressing but they still need to maintain a level of sophistication and decorum. Fabric choice is everything of course, with both linen and silk being excellent options for both dresses and coats when the mercury is rising. Both have the glorious advantage of being stunning visually, with linen bringing a lovely textural element to the look while silk boasts an inherent glamour thanks to its natural shine which is accentuated in the sun.

Silk georgette is another wonderful high-summer fabric that works wonders in the heat. Its 'barely-there' sheer quality creates a delicate femininity, as well as keeping you effortlessly cool. Silk satin, too, is another excellent iteration of silk that has a dreamy fluid quality and always feels cool on the skin. Linen is a fabric we love working with as it has such a wonderful textural quality, on top of all its innate warm-weather characteristics. It's why we have created a number of summer coats in linen, too add a comfortable and tactile element to elegant summer wedding dressing.

 

Similarly for dresses, silk satin and silk devore chiffon are wonderfully lightweight options and are perfectly suited to breezy silhouettes to give you that element of movement and comfort. One certainly doesn't want to be stuck in a bodycon number when its 28 degrees outside! Floaty shapes such as our Serena Circle dress tick all the boxes. Otherwise opt for an at-the-knee finish with the likes of our Bella, Louisa, and Araminta dresses. 

← Older Post Newer Post →

Blooming Elegance: Dressing for the Chelsea Flower Show

Blooming Elegance: Dressing for the Chelsea Flower Show

The Chelsea Flower Show is the most prestigious horticultural event of the year anywhere in the world. Officially, it's a celebration of flora and fauna...

Read more
The Four Horsemen - George Boughey

The Four Horsemen - George Boughey

Part of our Four Horsemen series in the run-in to Royal Ascot, we spent some time getting to know the brilliant race horse trainer George...

Read more
The Four Horsemen - Billy Jackson-Stops

The Four Horsemen - Billy Jackson-Stops

As part of our Four Horsemen series, we recently chatted with the accomplished bloodstock consultant Billy Jackson-Stops to understand a little more about his part...

Read more
The Four Horsemen - Harry Charlton

The Four Horsemen - Harry Charlton

Part of our Four Horsemen series leading up to Royal Ascot, we caught up with renowned race horse trainer Harry Charlton...

Read more
No Apocalypse, But Here Are Four Horsemen

No Apocalypse, But Here Are Four Horsemen

With Royal Ascot galloping round the bend, we were honoured to welcome into our Pall Mall store four gents at the top of the horse...

Read more
The History, Traditions, and Legacy of Royal Ascot: A Sartorial and Social Spectacle

The History, Traditions, and Legacy of Royal Ascot: A Sartorial and Social Spectacle

Since its founding in 1711 by Queen Anne, Royal Ascot has stood as a pinnacle of British heritage, blending equestrian excellence with unparalleled style and...

Read more
How To Dazzle At Summer Weddings

How To Dazzle At Summer Weddings

Stunning floral dresses and elegant linen coats are on the menu for a busy summer of weddings.

Read more
Fundamentals of Formalwear: The Morning Coat

Fundamentals of Formalwear: The Morning Coat

We examine the heritage and how-tos of the most formal garment of them all - the morning coat.  

Read more
Demystifying Dress Codes

Demystifying Dress Codes

Dress codes can sometimes be confusing. They needn't be. Follow our guide and you'll never fall foul of the rules.

Read more
The Côte d’Azur Cruise Suit

The Côte d’Azur Cruise Suit

Two new silk cruise suits defy definition, offering bold statement looks inspired by the glamour and colours of the Côte d’Azur.

Read more
Dressing For A Royal Garden Party

Dressing For A Royal Garden Party

Over 30,000 people are invited to the Royal Garden parties each year. If you've been lucky enough to get an invitation, we'll show you how...

Read more
The New Waistcoat Slip: Reviving the Regency Style

The New Waistcoat Slip: Reviving the Regency Style

Discover our new waistcoat slip: a Regency gem of understated elegance. Explore its history and charm in this deep dive into a forgotten but now...

Read more