Wedding

Pattern and fabric

This is a celebration, so a little texture or a subtle pattern is welcome. Linen and cotton suit summer, wool suits winter, and silk works all year.

Which knot

• 

  Half Windsor

  Neat and a step more formal than the Four‑in‑Hand, without the bulk of a Full Windsor.

• 

  Four‑in‑Hand

  The simple choice, and one of the two knots British etiquette advice suggests with morning dress.

• 

  Full Windsor

  Opinions differ. Some guides suggest it for a wedding, while British etiquette guides find it bulky.

• 

  Bow tie

  Only when the invitation says black tie. Then it's a black bow tie with a dinner jacket.

• 

  Eldredge

  A braided knot tied with the narrow end. Some guides suggest it for a less formal wedding, others find it too showy.

• 

  Trinity

  A rounded knot of three folded parts. Some guides suggest it for weddings, others find it too showy.

• Ascot or cravat Guide coming

  Some wear a formal ascot with morning dress, but British etiquette guides prefer a long tie.

Tie the Half Windsor

It depends

Black tie

A dinner jacket and a black bow tie you tie yourself.

Black tie optional

A dinner jacket, or a dark suit with a dark, plain tie. A black bow tie with an ordinary suit looks like a mix-up.

Cocktail or semi-formal

A dark suit and tie, with a little more colour or texture than you would wear to work.

Morning dress

At a formal day wedding: a silk tie in silver or grey, with a grey or buff waistcoat.

Summer or on the beach

The tie may be optional. A knit or cotton tie feels lighter, and you can always take it off later.

Better left at home

• All black. A black suit, shirt and tie looks too sombre for a celebration.
• A tie loud enough to pull attention away from the couple.