What Shirt Should a Groom Wear? The Practical Guide for Wedding Day Style

The shirt a groom wears is way more than just a background to his suit. Imagine wearing something stiff, sweaty, or just a bit too shiny. Nightmare, right? Most guys want to look sharp but feel comfortable—and not like they’re wearing a costume.

There’s a reason why the most stylish grooms obsess over shirt details. Little things like the collar shape or the cuff length can change your whole vibe. It’s not just about matching your shirt with your suit—it’s about making sure you’re not tugging at your neck all night or dreading the photos yet to come.

Let’s get down to the real questions: Do you actually need a classic white shirt? Are those fancy French cuffs worth the hassle? Is there a fabric that won’t turn you into a sweaty mess during your outdoor summer wedding? If you’ve got a day packed with hugs, dances, and speeches, comfort and style both matter. The right wedding shirt keeps you looking cool and feeling like yourself, all day and night.

• Getting the Shirt Basics Right
• Which Collar Style Works Best?
• Cufflinks or No Cufflinks?
• Color: Does White Always Win?
• The Truth About Fabrics and Comfort
• How Much Does Fit Matter?

Getting the Shirt Basics Right

Getting the basics down first means you won’t end up frantically shopping the week before your wedding. It all starts with the fit. You want your shirt to skim your body—no excess fabric bunching up under your suit, but don’t go so tight that the buttons pull. Most guys look best in a tailored or slim fit, not the baggy dress shirts you might remember from prom night.

Next, let’s talk fabric. Cotton is king for a reason. Around 80% of high-quality dress shirts sold for weddings are 100% cotton, and it’s not just tradition. Cotton breathes better than synthetic blends, so you won’t feel like you’re trapped in a sauna. If you’re set on wrinkle resistance, choose a cotton blend with just a tiny bit of stretch.

Also, when picking shirt details, pay attention to these basics:

• Length: Dress shirts for suits should be long enough to stay tucked in all day, even if you’re dancing.
• Yoke: A split yoke (the panel across the back shoulders) usually means a better fit and more movement, which is great if you plan to throw your hands up or hug a lot of people.
• Placket: Look for a standard placket (that’s the strip of fabric where the buttons are sewn) for a classic look, or go for a hidden placket if you want something cleaner.
• Stays: Removable collar stays keep your collar sharp, not floppy. Don’t lose them!

Here’s a quick run-down of common dress shirt fits usually seen at weddings:

And don’t forget the shirt’s role with your suit. A crisp, well-fitted groom shirt is the backbone of that put-together wedding look. If you get these basics right, everything else just falls into place.

Which Collar Style Works Best?

Choosing the right collar isn’t just about looks—it changes the whole feel of your outfit. For most weddings, there are three main collar types that work for grooms: the classic point collar, the spread collar, and the wing collar. Each one has a job to do.

The groom shirt most guys pick for a formal ceremony is usually a point collar or spread collar. Here’s the real deal on both:

• Point collar: This is the standard collar you probably already know. The collar points are pretty close together. It works with any face shape and doesn’t try to steal the show. If you want a timeless suit look, go for this one.
• Spread collar: The points are further apart, so there’s more space between them. This collar is great with wider tie knots, like a Windsor. People with rounder faces might prefer it since it can help balance your features. Want a modern and bold look without getting “trendy”? Try the spread collar.

Then there’s the wing collar. This is super formal and made for bow ties—think tuxedos or black-tie weddings. The little points stick out, looking a bit like wings. Only pick this if you’re wearing a tux; it’ll look out of place with a regular suit.

Some shirts have button-down collars, but these are way too casual for a wedding unless you’re getting married at your favorite barbecue joint. If you want something traditional and wedding photographers won’t cringe over years later, stick with point or spread collar.

One last thing: check your tie. Skinny ties look best with point collars. Chunky ties or bowties? Go with spread or wing collars. Don’t just look at your suit—look at your necktie and face shape too. When in doubt, try on both collars in front of a mirror before the big day. It’s all about what feels right to you.

Cufflinks or No Cufflinks?

This choice trips up a lot of grooms. Some think cufflinks are only for tuxedos, but honestly, they work for way more. Cufflinks give your wedding shirt an instant upgrade—like adding a cool accessory to your suit. They can go classic, modern, or even show off something personal, like your hobby or initials. The thing is, not every shirt will work with cufflinks, and not every wedding actually calls for them.

First, you have to look at what kind of cuffs your shirt has. There are two main kinds for weddings:

• French cuffs: These are the real deal for cufflinks. They're folded back and fastened only with cufflinks, no buttons allowed.
• Barrel cuffs: These have buttonholes and buttons—standard work shirt style. Some 'convertible' cuffs can use either buttons or cufflinks, so check your shirt before you gear up.

So, when does a groom really need cufflinks? Here's a cheat sheet:

If you love details and want something to remember, cufflinks can even be engraved or themed for your event. They also make great keepsakes or gifts. But don’t feel pressured if your style is more chill. Lots of guys stick to regular cuffs, especially if they never wear cufflinks otherwise. At the end of the day, your wedding shirt should fit you—your taste, your vibe, your comfort level. If you do go for cufflinks, make sure your shirt has the right cuffs, and try them on before the day—you don’t want to fumble with new accessories when you’re supposed to be getting married.

Color: Does White Always Win?

The classic groom shirt is usually white. That’s the safe bet, and honestly, you can’t go wrong. White shirts look sharp with nearly any suit—navy, black, grey, or even bolder patterns. They also photograph clean and won’t clash with any wedding theme. About 80% of grooms in the US still go for a simple, crisp white shirt on their big day, mostly because it guarantees zero stress about matching.

But does that mean you have to play it safe? Not really. Off-white, light blue, pale pink, and even soft gray have all found their way into grooms' wardrobes lately. A softer color can look less harsh against certain skin tones—a lifesaver if you lean pale and don’t want to look washed out under bright lights or in photos.

Check out how shirt color stacks up for different wedding styles based on survey data from real grooms in 2024:

Here’s what helps with making your pick:

• Think about your suit: If it’s black tie, white wins every time. But with navy, gray, or tan suits, colored or off-white shirts work if you want something subtler.
• Factor in your skin tone: Fair skin? White can sometimes look too stark. Try ivory or pale blue for contrast. Darker skin? Almost any color pops, but avoid bright white if you want a softer vibe.
• Look at the setting: Outdoor weddings love softer shades, while formal ballrooms usually stick with white.
• Photo flash: Whiter shirts reflect more light. If you’re prone to sweating, soft colored shirts don’t show marks as easily as crisp white.

Bottom line: White is the most popular for a reason. But feel free to bend the rules, as long as you’re not clashing with your suit or the overall look of the wedding. Try whatever feels most you—you’re going to be wearing it all day, after all.

The Truth About Fabrics and Comfort

Let’s be honest—guys rarely think about shirt fabric until they’re sweating halfway through the first dance or scratching at a stiff collar. Here’s the truth: The material of your shirt can make or break your wedding day comfort. It matters as much as the cut or color.

The big favorite for a groom shirt is still 100% cotton. It’s breathable, soft, and keeps you feeling fresh longer, especially if you’re moving around a lot. But not all cotton is equal. Two-ply Egyptian or Supima cotton shirts feel smoother and wrinkle less than basic options. Then there’s linen, which is killer for beach or summer weddings because it’s super light, but keep in mind it wrinkles just by looking at it wrong. If crisp is your vibe, linen’s probably not for you.

Don’t want to sweat (literally) the fabric choice? Here’s a quick side-by-side to help:

If you’re aiming for photos where you don’t look like you ran a marathon, avoid 100% polyester shirts. They trap heat and moisture, which is not what you want in the spotlight. Still, a cotton-polyester blend can work if you want something wrinkle-resistant and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of breathability. Only go full synthetic if you’re really stuck for cash or expect to swap shirts halfway through the night.

Finally, look for words like “poplin,” “twill,” or “oxford” on labels. Poplin feels smooth and suits most formal weddings, twill has a little sheen and hides wrinkles better, while oxford shirts lean more casual. If your shirt sticks to your skin as soon as you put it on, ditch it and try a different fabric.

Bottom line? When choosing your groom shirt, get hands-on with the fabric. You’re spending all day (and night) in it—don’t settle for something uncomfortable just because it looks good on a hanger.

How Much Does Fit Matter?

No matter how nice your suit or shirt, if the fit is off, you’ll either look like you're drowning in fabric or squirming all night. The fit of the shirt actually makes or breaks the whole look for the groom. Most experts say a great fit does more for your style than even luxury fabric or brand names. According to a 2023 survey from The Knot, 73% of grooms said they regret picking a shirt that didn’t fit right after looking back at their wedding photos.

Focusing on fit isn’t just for style points—it’s about feeling natural and relaxed. You want the sleeves to end just at the wrist bone, about half an inch poking from your suit jacket. The shoulder seams should sit right at the edge of your shoulders, not sliding down your arms or pulling up toward your neck.

• If you can’t fit two fingers comfortably between your neck and the buttoned collar, it’s too tight. Go one size up.
• When you tuck your shirt in, it shouldn’t billow at the waist. A trim, but not skin-tight, cut is best for most guys.
• If you notice chest or back pulling, try a slim fit or modern fit instead of classic—brands label these differently, so try a few styles before settling.

For anyone still on the fence about whether to go off-the-rack or custom, here’s a quick comparison:

Even the best groom shirt can look sloppy if the fit isn't dialed in. Tailoring is almost always worth the effort, even if you start with an off-the-rack shirt. Remember, you’ll be moving around a lot—hugging relatives, raising a glass, hitting the dance floor—so check how the shirt feels when you twist and stretch. If it tugs or bunches, don’t settle. The right fit keeps you looking sharp and lets you focus on what really matters: enjoying your wedding day.