25 Groomsmen Style Trends That Are Redefining Wedding Fashion

Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz here. I’m a bestselling author and the first ever bridesmaid for hire.  Welcome to a guide on 2025 groom and groomsmen style trends.

I’ll never forget standing at the altar during a humid July ceremony, watching the groomsmen practically melt into a puddle inside their heavy, stiff tuxedos. You could see the misery on their faces, and honestly, it was distracting. Thankfully, the wedding world is finally waking up. With so many couples heading to places like Bali and the Amalfi Coast, we’re seeing a massive shift toward lightweight, soft tailoring—think wool, silk, and linen blends—according to Bride Club ME. We are finally prioritizing comfort and personality over rigid, stuffy tradition. This guide breaks down the groomsmen style trends that actually look good and make sense for a long wedding day.

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TL;DR

In a rush? Here is the cheat sheet. If you take nothing else away from this, just remember these four shifts in groomsmen fashion. And if you need a crash course on the basics, check out our complete wedding outfits guide first.

• Comfort is King: Thick, heavy fabrics are out. Breathable, stretchy materials are in.

• Buy, Don’t Rent: The modern groomsman wants a suit he can actually wear to work or a nice dinner later, not a baggy rental he has to return the next morning.

• Mix it Up: The “uniform” look is dying. Mismatched shades and textures look way more natural.

• Logistics Matter: Complex looks (like mismatched suits) require a lot more coordination to make sure the group looks cool, not chaotic.

Trend Concept	The Old Way (Traditional)	The New Way (Modern)
Uniformity	Identical tuxedos for everyone.	Coordinated palettes or tonal gradients.
Material	Heavy wool or polyester blends.	Breathable linen, performance stretch, or velvet.
Ownership	One-time rental returned the next day.	Purchased investment pieces for the future.
Footwear	Plastic-y patent leather rental shoes.	Clean sneakers, loafers, or velvet slippers.

The 4 Rules You Can’t Ignore

Before you fall in love with a velvet jacket or a sneaker combo, let’s talk logistics. I always tell couples that the “rules” are fluid now, but four things are non-negotiable. You have to weigh the venue formality, the season/weather, the sustainability (will they wear it again?), and your friends’ budgets. Ignoring these leads to sweaty groomsmen, angry bank accounts, and photos that just look… off.

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When navigating the world of groom tuxedo and suits, fit and context always win over trends. Consider the “Beach Formal” mistake. I knew a couple who planned a noon ceremony in Mexico and insisted on black wool tuxedos because they wanted it to look “elegant.”

The reality? It was a disaster. The groomsmen were sweating through their shirts within 15 minutes, and two had to sit down because they were on the verge of heat exhaustion. They should have opted for the “Midnight Alternative” in a lightweight tropical wool or linen, which would have kept the dark, moody vibe without the risk of heatstroke.

Let’s Talk Color & Patterns

Color is the easiest way to change the whole vibe of the wedding party. We are moving away from standard black and generic grey into tones that actually reflect where and when you’re getting married. Plus, these colors are usually things guys actually want to have in their closet.

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1. Terracotta & Rust Tones

Think burnt orange or rust-colored suits, usually paired with a cream shirt. This screams “autumn wedding” and fits perfectly with a boho theme. Since these colors are everywhere in retail right now, it’s usually pretty affordable to find, and they can definitely wear the jacket again with jeans.

2. Monochromatic Earth Tones

You get this look by layering shades of the same color—like an olive green suit with a sage shirt and a dark green tie. It creates a seamless, modern aesthetic that looks incredibly sharp in photos. It works for pretty much any season and feels very high-end.

3. The “Midnight” Alternative

If you want formal, try a deep navy or midnight blue tuxedo with black lapels instead of the standard all-black penguin suit. It’s still very formal, but it feels a little softer and more interesting. Great for evening weddings and a solid investment piece.

4. Dusty Pastels

Think pale lavender, dusty rose, or slate blue. This trend is strictly for Spring and Summer. It looks amazing for daytime garden weddings, but just be warned: your groomsmen might not find many occasions to wear a lavender suit to a corporate office meeting later.

5. Bold Jewel Tones

Emerald green or deep burgundy velvet jackets define this trend. It’s a total power move, best suited for Fall or Winter. Just keep in mind this usually requires a higher budget to buy, or finding a specialty rental shop.

6. Micro-Checks and Plaid

A grey suit with a subtle Prince of Wales check pattern adds some texture without being “loud.” It bridges the gap between semi-formal and formal, and it’s a great suit to have for business settings later.

Season	Recommended Palette	Best Vibe/Setting
Spring	Dusty Pastels (Lavender, Slate Blue)	Garden, Daytime, Brunch
Summer	Light Neutrals (Tan, Cream, Light Grey)	Beach, Coastal, Outdoor
Fall	Earth Tones (Rust, Terracotta, Olive)	Barn, Vineyard, Boho
Winter	Jewel Tones (Emerald, Burgundy, Midnight)	Ballroom, Black Tie, Evening

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Fabrics & Textures (No More Sweating)

Honestly, the fabric dictates comfort way more than the cut does. We are seeing a massive surge in fabrics that actually move with the body and don’t turn the groomsmen into walking saunas.

7. Performance Fabrics

These suits use moisture-wicking, high-stretch wool blends. They offer maximum comfort and mobility, which is crucial for the dance floor. Choosing stiff, uncomfortable fabric is one of the top 5 regrets all grooms have after their wedding, so prioritize movement.

Use the “Dance Floor” test. Traditional suits restrict movement, leading to the dreaded “split pants” incident. If a groomsman attempts a lunge during “Shout,” you don’t want his trousers to rip. Performance fabrics have a little spandex (elastane) in them, meaning the suit survives the reception intact.

8. Heavy Texture Linen

Oatmeal or tan linen suits with a visible weave fit that “relaxed luxury” aesthetic perfectly. This is strictly for warm weather. Yes, it will wrinkle, but that’s part of the charm. It looks incredible for casual to semi-formal venues.

9. Velvet Jackets

Black or colored velvet dinner jackets paired with standard black trousers add a really nice texture to photos. This is a high-formality look strictly for winter (velvet is hot!). It’s usually a bit pricier, but looks very luxe.

10. Seersucker (Modernized)

Tonal blue seersucker with less high-contrast striping is the ultimate Southern or coastal summer fabric. It’s super breathable, but it has a very specific “preppy” look that doesn’t work at every venue.

11. Tweed & Herringbone

Brown herringbone waistcoats or full suits offer durability and warmth. This style is perfect for rustic, barn, or mountain weddings during the cooler months.

Silhouette & Styling

The fit is changing, too. We are finally moving away from the “skinny fit” era into more relaxed, draped, and interesting silhouettes.

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12. The Mismatched “Ombré” Party

Groomsmen wear different shades of blue, ranging from sky blue to navy. It looks cool visually and takes the pressure off everyone buying the exact same suit. However, it requires strict coordination to ensure the gradient looks intentional and not just messy.

13. Double-Breasted Jackets

A 6-button double-breasted jacket in charcoal is a power move that’s coming back. It signals “fancy,” but it requires precise tailoring. A baggy double-breasted suit looks terrible, so budget for a tailor is key here.

14. The “Air Tie” (No Tie)

This involves a crisp white shirt buttoned all the way to the top, worn with a suit but no neckwear. It’s modern, minimalist, and comfortable. It costs nothing, but it’s best for cocktail attire, not black tie.

15. Three-Piece Revival

A matching vest, jacket, and trousers allow groomsmen to take off their jackets during the reception but still look “dressed.” It keeps the formality high and makes the group look cohesive all night.

16. Relaxed Tailoring

We are moving away from the tight “skinny fit” toward slightly wider leg trousers and softer shoulders. It captures the current fashion vibe and is way more comfortable. You’ll likely have to buy these, as rental shops are usually a few years behind on trends. This looser silhouette is a significant evolution from the slimmer 2025 groom groomsmen style trends we saw last year.

Note: Executing a mismatched or ombré look fails if you just tell the group to “wear blue.” This is the “Paint Swatch” strategy. If one guy buys royal blue, one buys navy, and one buys teal, the photos look chaotic. Give them physical swatches or specific hex codes. Better yet, assign specific shades to specific people.

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Accessories: The Little Details

Accessories are where you can inject personality without changing the entire suit. These small details often double as great gifts, too.

17. Floral & Botanical Ties

Liberty print ties featuring small wildflowers tie the groomsmen directly to the floral arrangements (pun intended). It’s a low-cost option that works beautifully for spring and summer weddings.

18. Suspender Styling

Leather button-tab suspenders worn without a vest add a vintage charm. This is very budget-friendly, but your pants must be tailored correctly to be worn without a belt, or they’ll look sloppy.

19. Personalized Cufflinks

Cufflinks with initials or a hobby motif serve as a gift and a style element. It’s a subtle detail they can use forever. Personalized accessories make excellent presents; check out our guide on groomsmen gifts every budget for more ideas.

20. Pocket Watches

A vintage gold chain watch draped on a vest gives a nod to old-school elegance. It’s purely for the look, but it definitely stands out.

21. Boutonniere Alternatives

Using dried grasses, feathers, or lapel pins instead of fresh roses is a smart move. They won’t wilt in the heat, they offer unique texture, and they are often cheaper than fresh florals.

Accessory	Formality Level	Best Application
Air Tie	Modern / Cocktail	Minimalist weddings, art gallery venues.
Floral Tie	Semi-Formal	Garden parties, spring/summer outdoor events.
Pocket Watch	Formal / Vintage	Three-piece suits, historic venues.
Dried Boutonniere	Boho / Rustic	Outdoor settings, hot climates (no wilting).

Footwear (Please, No Rentals)

Shoes are no longer an afterthought. The choice of footwear can completely shift the formality of the outfit from stiff to playful.

22. The Velvet Slipper

Black velvet loafers with embroidery move a tuxedo from “stiff” to “playful.” They are comfortable and stylish, but keep them for indoor venues—mud and velvet don’t mix.

23. Clean Leather Sneakers

Pristine white, high-end leather sneakers worn with a suit create a very casual, modern look. While traditionalists might hate it, this is huge right now and your groomsmen will love you for it.

24. Chelsea Boots

Black or dark brown leather Chelsea boots with a slim suit add a rock-and-roll edge. This is great for fall and winter—plus, every guy needs a pair of these in his closet anyway.

25. Loafers with No-Show Socks

Penny loafers showing the ankle are a summer staple. This requires hemmed pants with “no break” (so they don’t bunch at the shoe). It’s a very relaxed, stylish look.

How to Handle the Logistics Without Losing Your Mind

Selecting the “Mismatched Ombré” look or the “Three-Piece Revival” is the fun part. Actually executing that vision with ten different guys? That’s where the stress begins. You have to ensure everyone gets measured, orders the right sizes, and actually remembers to bring their shoes. This is where Bridesmaid for Hire steps in. We aren’t just there to stand around; we are professional problem solvers.

Reduce decision overload and manage moving parts with the AI Wedding Planner

If a groomsman rips his pants—which happens more than you think with lighter fabrics—we are the on-site crisis managers who fix it before you even know it happened. We also act as the unbiased voice of reason when family members push back against modern trends like sneakers. Hiring a professional allows you to focus on the look while we handle the people management.

The Bottom Line

The trends for 2026 are prioritizing the experience of the wearer just as much as the aesthetic of the photos. Whether you opt for rust-colored suits or performance fabrics, the goal is to have a group that feels confident and comfortable. Take these ideas, discuss them with your partner, and choose the one that fits your specific venue and vibe. Remember, the best groomsmen style trends are the ones that make your crew look good and feel even better.