The dos and don’ts of the Henley Festival dress code

Henley Festival is strictly black tie, which means no trainers, jeans, leather jackets or casualwear of any kind. Aside from that, most formalwear will be acceptable – you can choose traditional black tie with a tuxedo and bow-tie, or a dark lounge suit with a shirt and tie and dress shoes. As long as you’re adhering to the formal dress code, you’re good.

The festival also has a strict no trainers policy, so don’t show up with in your Air Force 1s or you may be refused entry.

Is a tuxedo mandatory?

Though many festival goers choose to wear a full tux, it’s ok to wear a lounge suit as long as it looks formal. Think tailored fit, smart shirt and a tie. If you need a little more help on suits vs tuxs, read all about the differences between to the two here.

If the weather looks promising, look into lightweight versions of formal suiting. Our black linen shawl tux, above left, is a lighter and more breathable tuxedo that is ideal for the summer months. It also features Sorona, a natural fibre that assists with wrinkle recovery and has an extra bit of stretch.

Alternatively, add a bit colour by swapping your black tux for a velvet, jewel-toned jacket. It’ll add a level of interest to your look while still looking put together and dress code appropriate.

Swim shorts

If you’re heading somewhere with a pool or a beach, you’ll probably be taking at least one pair of swim shorts with you. If  so, make sure it’s one that’s worthy of your holiday (and won’t take up too much space either).

Seersucker is a great choice for cabin baggage as it’s light in weight and has a natural wrinkle, so you can wear it straight out of the suitcase. Our swim shorts are also designed to go further than just the pool – style them with a linen shirt or a plain tee for day parties, dinner and beyond.

Read more about the benefits of seersucker here.

What is seersucker?

Seersucker is a lightweight textile traditionally made from cotton (though other compositions feature silk or linen) with a uniquely puckered texture. This effect is created by weaving the thread with variable tension, creating tighter and looser strips that result in crinkles across the fabric. This texture is very much a defining characteristic of seersucker, but it is also one of the reasons why it keeps you cool – the fabric sits away from the skin which creates tiny pockets of air that assist with both drying and cooling. 

Shorts: office attire or weekend wear?

The job you do definitely has a bearing on what you wear for work. If there’s a safety issue with you wearing shorts, or your workplace still requires you to wear a suit and tie, then it’s probably a no. Certain industries have different standards when it comes to workwear, and your company may want to keep it more on the formal side.

Essentially, your role and responsibilities can influence what’s appropriate to wear for work, so if in doubt check what the expectations are for your workplace.

The type of shorts you wear matter too. Gym shorts, sleep shorts or very short shorts? Probably not, unless your workplace dress code is really relaxed. The good news if you do have the go-ahead is that there are plenty of work-ready shorts you can wear to the office.

First worn after the first world war, the pleated trouser was most popular in the 40s and 50s, then in favour again during the 70s and 80s. Now, in place of the skinny fits of the mid-noughties (and especially post-pandemic), men are dressing for comfort with looser fits and shapes – and the pleated trouser fits the bill.

The pleats add extra room, boosting comfort for whatever you’ve got going on. More space is also handy if you’ve got bigger legs or don’t want to feel restricted when you sit down.

Style yours for days out with a summer-hued t-shirt like this linen blend oatmeal shirt to straddle the comfy/stylish line, or step it up with a Cuban collar shirt for a bit of texture. If the weather isn’t quite there for t-shirts but a sweatshirt’s going to make you, well, sweat, add a lightweight jacket or overshirt. If you’re not quite sure which is which, check out our handy guide on jackets vs overshirts to learn about the differences between the two.

There’s no strict dress code unless you’re in the Royal Box or VIP suite, but as a spectator, it’s only polite to nod to the grandeur of the occasion. Best leave your comedy tennis whites at home, then, and instead aim for a look as immaculately presented as the club’s famed grass courts.

Of all the quintessentially British things that are associated with Wimbledon, the unpredictable weather is up there with Pimms, strawberries and All England Club ties.

With the way summer’s going so far we never know what July will bring, but we’re hopefully things will brighten up. Regardless of the weather, though, Wimbledon can be a great opportunity to dress up. In short: if you were waiting for a moment for a bold suit, this is it. We suggest a double-breasted suit with an airy shirt and lightweight loafers for the full A-lister-in-the-Royal-Box look.

For a mid-smart alternative, a sky blue linen suit will look sharp on a grey day as well as keep you cool on a hot one. Wear yours with a polo shirt in cooling pique-cotton – the original performance fabric – as a practical nod to the sport at hand. Add a pocket square and a classic pair of sunglasses for a faultless finish.

If you’ve not managed to get your hands on tickets this year, you might be meeting up with friends to watch the matches on a big screen. If so, we suggest an outfit in neutral tones as a summery take on smart/casual. Try a pair of chinos or shorts with a classic polo and a pair of smart trainers.

And even if you’re only watching along at home, it’s still worth a little effort. A linen blend t-shirt with tapered linen joggers is a notch up from your usual at-home kit but just as comfy.

A beach wedding is normally more relaxed. The bride and groom might decide on more traditional outfits or dress code, but usually with a beach wedding it’s a bit more casual. This means balancing the look and comfort level on the day. Check this out when you accept your invitation as it will help you decide what to wear.

The other thing to consider is where you’re heading. Not all beaches are created equally. There’s a big difference in what to wear if you’re jetting off to a destination wedding in a tropical location vs a beach wedding in the UK or somewhere cooler and breezier.

If you’re travelling further afield to head to a beach wedding, you also need to think about packing your outfit and taking it with you. Some fabrics and fits travel better than others. Choosing to take something like an non-iron shirt or a fabric that’s meant to look a little more lived-in, like linen, can go a long way.

Check the weather forecast before you travel and then ahead of the wedding or event. It might make sense to take a couple of different options if it looks like the weather could change while you’re out there.

If you’re heading to a warm-weather beach wedding, go lightweight. Choose a light, breathable fabric like linen or cotton for your suit and stick to a 2-piece suit instead. Seersucker is also a great summer fabric for beach weddings – our take has a traditionally puckered surface that adds a bit of interest and offsets a smooth linen shirt and soft suede loafers. Lose the tie and keep the collar open for a breezy look.

You might even be able to relax the look even further by choosing a suit that’s more of an oversized or less structured fit, wearing a T-shirt underneath instead of a shirt or going without the jacket completely. Read our guide on what to wear to a summer wedding for more warm-weather styling ideas.

Check the dress code with the couple and the wedding organisers so you know what you’ve got to work with. Some beach weddings are even more relaxed, with chino shorts or wide leg trousers and short sleeved shirts (with or without a bow tie) being a great option. Pleated trousers cut from linen are an light and airy option that still has you looking put together. Our take comes in a trending coppery tone that offers a nice contrast to a white linen shirt.

Either way, it’s unlikely that you’ll be expected to wear a full 3-piece suit in something like tweed if you’re in a warmer climate.

As for footwear, ditch the formal leather shoes and go for more casual footwear like loafers, boat shoes or sandals. Make sure your shoes are comfortable and suitable for sandy or uneven terrain too, as you don’t want to end up feeling uncomfortable throughout the day.

Colour is also important for a beach wedding. Again, check in with the wedding party but often lighter, more relaxed colours look great if you’re a guest at a wedding on the beach. Think beige, tan, light grey and subtle additions of muted colours like light blue or pale pink. Go a little more relaxed than you would at a traditional wedding.

Looking for some ideas of where to host your beach wedding? Here’s our guide to the best places for a destination wedding.

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