The Getup: What to Wear to a Winter Wedding

Utilize patterns and textures to build a sophisticated and comfortable look.
11 November,2014By
Cladwell This post is made possible by Indochino. Your next suit should be crafted to your exact measurements. Design yours at indochino.com.

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Andrew is the founder and editor of Primer. He's a graduate of American University and currently lives in Los Angeles. Read more about Primer on our About page. On Instagram: @andrewsnavely and @primermagazine.

  • Christian Naylor

    Very nice, Andrew. Wish I had a winter wedding to go to.

    Question: Any information on the quality of those boots? We just got our first snow here in Colorado and I’m without a nice pair of boots. Without breaking the bank, would those be able to get me through a winter? Or should I go with a thicker sole?

  • joe

    I guess I’m confused, where is the article on what to wear to a winter wedding?

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

      Is the image not loading?

      • joe

        I see images, but it’s a picture of a suit and a long list of random items including a pea coat and snow flake socks which I’m assuming is not wedding appropriate. The only writing is a single sentence at the top that says utilize patterns to build a sophisticated look. I’m used to reading an article from your site discussing the decisions in greater detail. Like I said I’m confused.

        • Andy G

          Joe:

          You must be new to Primer. The “Getup” section of this website provides a number of excellent clothing options to help 20-something men build a fashionable wardrobe without breaking the bank. Andrew puts a lot of time and effort into finding the right outfits at the right price. If you’re looking for an op-ed piece on fashion, feel free to browse the Arts section of the New York Times and submit snide comments there. However, if you’re looking for great style ideas at an affordable price, you’re in the right spot.

          • joe

            Andy G – I’m not new to Primer as I stated I’m used to reading a bit more from Andrew’s site. I don’t know why you are taking my genuine question so personally. I stand by it. The selection of items listed could have any subject line, such as “Here are some great winter weekend out on the town / office place ideas. There is nothing specific to a winter wedding here. The subject of what to wear to a winter wedding is a good one, but like I said to Andrew, what does a pea coat have to do with that?

          • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

            Joe, I appreciate the question, though like Andy I’m a little confused. I publish Getup’s at least once per week, in this very format. A pea coat and fair isle socks are appropriate for most normal American weddings. The pea coat is to keep you warm on the way to, and while potentially waiting outside, for things like the rice toss, etc. As are the overshoes, to protect your dress shoes from snow, slush, and rain. Regarding there not being anything specific to a winter wedding, I’d say that’s probably true of any Getup. There’s nothing specific to a job interview Getup or casual fall date Getup that makes it inherently appropriate for those situations, just a collection of items I think would look sharp. I’m not sure there is anything specific to a winter wedding Getup outside of a suit, shirt, tie, and dress shoes, which are included here as a foundation, with additions like the sweater, pocket square, etc. to add character.

            I’m sorry you didn’t get quite what you’re looking for, but stay tuned there’s always great stuff in the works!

          • joe

            I hope that you took no offense to my question as I would expect by running an internet blog you’ve developed fairly thick skin by now. No offense was intended. I enjoy your articles even if I am on the upper end of your target audience. I’ll chalk it up to simply not seeing eye to eye on this one.

          • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

            No offense taken! I appreciate you taking the time to check things out and comment. Were there certain things you were expecting to see from a winter wedding Getup?

          • joe

            I took some time this morning to look back your previous entries and here was the cause of my confusion. I was mixing up your Getup page with your Learn articles. Couple that with the title for this post and my different view on what is wedding appropriate and I found the source of my confusion.
            I saw the MTM grey suit and though hmm I like where he is going with this in discussing the value in a properly fitting suit. Then I see the second Getup of more casual clothes and I couldn’t find the common thread.
            While just my opinion, the suit is wedding appropriate and would cause the 20 something gentleman to stand out and certainly garner attention from the single ladies at the reception. The second ensemble, while smart, would cause me to punch my buddy in the ribs back when I was in my mid 20’s and ask him why the heck is he wearing that at a wedding.
            Since you asked what I was expecting to see, I would have liked to see how you could accessorize that suit to really make it pop. In my opinion for a fashion conscious 20 something, a wedding is a perfect place to strut your best stuff that you don’t wear very often. So maybe a nice purple pocket square and some fancy cufflinks. I do enjoy reading your articles and keep up the excellent work.

          • Andy G

            Joe:

            I apologize for jumping to conclusions so quickly; I got the impression from your comments that you were here to berate the site and these posts.
            I think Andrew tried to clear things up fairly well in his response and, with him, I would encourage you to stay tuned for more great posts.

  • Marc

    I like the overall concept of the look. A little too “matchy-matchy” with all the brown accessories. I understand it’s not “your day”, but one contrasting accessory (tie, pocket sqaure, or scarf come to mind) would be all I would change. Personal preference, of course.

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

      Marc, Could definitely mix in a different tie, pocket square or scarf to add some pop. A more vibrant sweater could work too. I don’t know if I’d say it’s matchy-matchy, but certainly conservative. 😉

      • Marc

        Thanks for the quick response Andrew. Glad you can see where I’m coming from. Brown stripes in the shirt, brown (I think) tie, brown pockets square, brown scarf, brown belt, brown shoes. I think I’d favor a navy tie to keep it formal, yet different enough.

        • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

          Yeah, a navy stripe tie would be sharp!

  • Jeff

    Anyone have experience with the pea coat listed above? Not expecting much from a $80 full price coat but checking to see if it’s worth picking up? In the market for a pea coat that will split time with a charcoal top coat I picked up last year for the lovely Michigan winters….

    • Nick P.

      No experience here with the pea coat, but it is 40% Wool and 60% other on the description, I want to know what they mean by “other materials.” Another affordable option is from Target, the Merona Wool Blend Peacoat, 62% wool / 32% poly / 6% other. All poly lining. Again, no direct experience with it and still an awful lot of poly. In my opinion, it looks a little nicer (online) than the Old Navy

      http://www.target.com/p/men-s-wool-peacoat/-/A-15271979#prodSlot=medium_1_4

      • Jeff

        Went to check out the peacoat last night at the local old navy…. nope, not even for $40. Looks flimly, most of the coats on the rack were pretty wrinkled, sizing was meh, 38R here and was in between a small and a medium but neither of the sizes would work, sleeves were too long on the medium.

        Going to check out the army/navy surplus store a few towns over.

  • Andy

    Is there anyway we can get a look of someone wearing this getup. I like seeing the individual pieces, but sometimes it’s nice to see how it all ties together too.

  • Nick P.

    Not bad timing, I am attending a friend’s wedding this weekend and it is supposed to be rather cold. Fortunately I have the premise of these items already. Never would have picked my merino sweater with my suit on my own.

  • JDayter

    Thanks Andrew.
    Just wanted to tell you I appreciate affordable clothing.
    And being color blind I have a hard time putting stuff together.
    These articles help.
    Oh and I don’t find the items I have seen for “20 somethings” I am much much older than that.

  • Ross

    Could not of picked a better time to post this Getup, as I have a friends wedding to attend this weekend. Quick question, as I try to pair the items in my head, I just want to make I’m making the right call.. Would the gray slacks with the sweater and button up underneath make a good outfit?

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

      Yep, that would look sharp!

  • Chris

    In case anyone cares, here are the belt and shoes side by side.

  • Chris

    In case anyone cares, here are the belt and shoes side by side

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

      Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing!

  • David

    This may be a dumb question, but do you wear the overshoes the whole time? Or take them off once inside?

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

      You would take them off.

  • The Mr. Collection

    Hi Andrew! Great post. We think all choices are extremely stylish options for a winter wedding and will be tweeting it out to our @themrcollection followers.

  • Gary

    hey andrew can you do a company christmas party one? Thanks

    • http://www.primermagazine.com/ Andrew

      Yep! Stay tuned!