Summer Wedding Tuxedos for Hot, Humid Weather

For a wedding in hot, humid weather, choose a tuxedo in cool cloth with a half lining, wear it with a breathable shirt and an absorbent undershirt, pick a pale colour or a lightweight midnight, and plan how you will change through the day. In Saigon and much of southern Vietnam, comfort is part of looking good: a groom who is not beaded with sweat smiles more naturally in photographs.

Cool cloth, half lining

Cloth comes first. For humid summer:

• Tropical wool is openly woven and firm enough to hold its shape while letting air through. Our piece on wearing a tuxedo in hot weather goes into these cloths.
• Wool-mohair or wool-silk blends: light and airy, with a slight sheen that suits the evening.
• Half lining: leave out the lining across the back and part of the chest and keep it at the shoulders and sleeves. Read full lining, half lining or unlined to understand the trade-off between shape and airiness.
• Avoid heavy velvet, thick barathea or cloth with a lot of synthetic fibre, which hold heat and moisture.

A half lining gives up a little of the glide when you put the jacket on, but noticeably reduces the stuffy feeling across the back.

A breathable shirt and absorbent undershirt

What is underneath decides the comfort more than you might think:

• The shirt: light cotton such as thin poplin or voile; a pleated front is lighter than a thick piqué bib.
• The undershirt: absorbent, thin crew neck, in a skin tone rather than white, because white shows through a white shirt.
• The collar: comfortable, not tight, leaving room for the cloth to cling in humidity.
• Bring at least one pressed spare shirt, especially if the day has several parts.

A thin handkerchief in the trouser pocket lets you wipe your forehead without touching the pocket square.

Pale colours or a lightweight midnight

Colour decides how much heat you absorb.

• Ivory or pale grey: reflects heat well, suits a daytime reception or an outdoor ceremony. See TUX-106, ivory with a shawl lapel, cummerbund and black trousers.
• Lightweight midnight blue: for an air-conditioned evening ceremony this remains correct black tie. A suit like TUX-018, a one-button midnight navy keeps its elegance without the weight of a thick black.
• Black: workable if the cloth is truly light and the venue is air-conditioned; better avoided in the sun.

Consider a cummerbund in place of a waistcoat to remove one layer around the torso.

A plan for changing through the day

A wedding day has many parts: the family altar ceremony, photographs, the main ceremony, the banquet. Each has its own temperature and etiquette. A sensible plan:

Part of the day	Suggestion
Waiting for photographs, outdoors	Take the jacket off between shots and put it on for the frame
Main ceremony (air-conditioned)	Wear the whole suit, button when standing
Before the banquet	Change into a dry shirt, adjust the bow tie
Banquet	The jacket can come off for dancing or toasts if the hosts allow

Bring a garment bag, hangers, a towel, anti-perspirant and water. Ask a relative to hold the jacket when you are not wearing it so it does not crease.

Shoes, socks and small details

Heat makes feet swell; choose thin absorbent socks and soft leather shoes you have already broken in. Cufflinks and a bow tie do not affect temperature, but a pre-tied bow spares you from adjusting it repeatedly when you perspire. If the wedding is outdoors, see garden weddings and our wedding tuxedo page.

How Mon Amie can help

When we make a suit for a summer wedding, tell your consultant the ceremony time and whether it is outdoors or indoors so we can suggest cloth and lining. Order early before the wedding; making time depends on the style and fitting schedule, and your consultant will confirm it at measurement. Book at a Mon Amie showroom.