Mr Oscar Wilde once said, “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” The former portion of the adage applies ten-fold to weddings.

Thus, unless you’re attending a The Royle Family-themed wedding or the dress code specifically dictates that you should wear sportswear, you must avoid anything made from synthetic materials with the same fervour that Dorian Gray avoided ageing. That means no sneakers (not even clean white tennis shoes), no polo shirts, no sweatshirts and absolutely no tracksuit bottoms – even the smart kind cut from tailored fabric won’t cut the wedding cake. If they’re elasticated anywhere, they’re not coming in.

If you’re really in the market for comfort, pick one of Paul Smith’s Suits To Travel In, which blend all the easy-wearing flexibility of a tracksuit with the taut tailoring of a Savile Row two-piece.

Just because you’ve followed the dress code doesn’t mean that you should then scrimp on the details. If you’re wearing a suit, make it something that fits you properly and has seen the business end of a tailor’s chalk. If you’re wearing smart separates, in line with a more relaxed dress code, ensure that the colours of your jacket and trousers complement one another.

A wedding is one of the few opportunities you’ll have to dress in proper occasionwear, so grab it by the lapels and go for your life in clothes which you feel excited about wearing.

Speaking of which: ties might be back, but for formal occasions, they never really went away. At wedding season, this is not a sartorial bat-signal you should ignore. So powerful is the current pull of the tie that you should consider wearing one whatever the dress code dictates. Look to Turnbull & Asser or Charvet for smarter weddings and SAINT LAURENT, Dries Van Noten or Bottega Veneta for more fashionably casual events.

Look nice, sure. But today is not about you. So, it’s important not to rock up looking like Liberace.

In general terms, this means that as a wedding guest you should avoid wearing any shade relating to white (this includes bone, cream, buff and any other nom de guerre you can think of). It’s probably best to swerve faux fur, even at a winter wedding. And you should never wear a tux unless the dress code reads black tie.

By the same token, avoid anything too embellished, too decorative or too loud. Oh, and pulling a Mr Harry Styles by turning up in an oversized wedding gown probably isn’t going to win you any brownie points on the big day, either.

Just as no one wants Liberace turning up to their wedding, the bride or groom won’t want to witness a flannel-clad sausage gurning at them as they walk down the aisle, either. If in doubt, go a size up, whatever you’re wearing. Suit trousers, in particular, are a repeat offender – they should glide over your thighs, not mummify them. Even when you sit down. Especially when you sit down.

For roomy tailoring with a contemporary feel that won’t leave you feeling like a hot dog, head to Barena or The Frankie Shop, who are great for something at the more affordable end of the scale – always preferable if you’re not all that close to the bride(s) and groom(s).

Pay attention to your jacket, too. For the most flattering effect, it should follow a longer line, nipping at the waist and finishing well below the seat. Unless you are wearing something deliberately cropped (eg, Thom Browne), you should avoid ultra-short suit jackets like the plague.

LA-based brand Fear of God is a great place to head for contemporary tailoring with a lengthier cut. For something more traditional, you could do worse than head to TOM FORD, UMIT BENAN B+ or The Row.

If you’re involved in the dress rehearsal, then you’re an important element of the main event. It’s key, therefore, to make an effort and show your hosts that you’ll live up to expectation on the big day. That doesn’t mean that you need to wear a suit, as such, but some clean tailored separates and a pair of nice shoes will signify the fact that you’re taking things as seriously as the bride(s) and groom(s) undoubtedly are.

Flat-front trousers with loafers and a cashmere crew neck will set the right tone: relaxed, but considered enough to show that you care. Mr P. and the Scandi brand mfpen would serve you well here.

If the wedding you’ve been invited to is taking place on the beach, plan accordingly – footwear, in particular, can be challenging to navigate. Sandals might feel too casual, but you’ll look much less out of place than you would shaking sand out of your leather brogues. Look for a suitably elevated pair, in leather – Manolo Blahnik, Berluti, or The Row offer styles that are compatible with a suit. Flip flops and slides, not matter the designer, are not acceptable.

A linen suit from masters of summer sprezzatura Canali or ZEGNA will look presentable and prevent you from overheating. Don’t feel obligated to wear a tie – but don’t feel obligated not to.

If your friends or family members are getting married in the autumn or winter, you need to pack appropriate footwear. A pair of Goodyear-welted Derby shoes from Bottega Veneta or Grenson will look great and last for ever.

Wear these alongside a suit in a tweed or heavy wool flannel from The Row or Kingsman and maybe even a fine gauge rollneck sweater from Loro Piana, providing the dress code dictates “lounge suit” or “smart casual”. You can afford to go moodier with your colours in the colder months than you might in the summer.

Newsflash: if you wear the same suit that you wear every day to the office to a wedding, no amount of free prosecco will make your fellow guests unsee the bagginess around your knees and wear around your crotch. Weddings provide a chance to experiment with fabrics you’d never usually sport in your day-to-day life – from crisp Dunhill hopsacks, to soft Universal Works seersuckers. So, why throw away an opportunity to play by wearing a grey old suit you bought with your first paycheque in 2006?

Sure, a pocket square is fine. And yes, a tie is a given (see above). But to bring some personality to your suit without sticking out like a sore thumb, you’d do well to think bigger on the accessories front. Lapel pins, tie bars and cufflinks bring flair to a sober suit, but we’d advise looking into the (tasteful) deployment of jewellery, too. A well-chosen signet ring from David Yurman or Tom Wood will imbue your outfit with a subtle sense of refinement (think Felix Catton in Saltburn, before his sticky demise).

A watch is absolutely welcome, but should be an appropriate style for a formal event. Park the heavy-duty, chain-link pieces and opt for something with a discrete leather strap. Frankly, it would be hard to improve upon a Cartier Tank.

There’s no question that a wedding is a great moment to experiment with colour and fabric. What weddings are not great for, however, are waistcoats furnished with Pink Panther prints or ties emblazoned with photos of Mr Timmy Mallet. Apply personality with caution.

When it comes to weddings, it’s important to treat your shoes with as much ceremony as the rest of your outfit. Not least because your older self, flicking through past wedding photos on his phone, will thank you for it when he looks down at your feet.

So, find pleasure in picking the perfect pair of patent TOM FORD slippers to team with your tux, and relish the process of buying a superlative pair of chestnut-brown Oxfords from Tricker’s or John Lobb to wear with your double-breasted suit and enforced carnation corsage (eek!).

There is absolutely no excuse for not polishing your shoes. Invest in a comprehensive shoe-shine kit (such as those from Lorenzi Milano or Mr P. + Saphir) and keep it by the front door and remind yourself to give the uppers a quick buff whenever you head out.

This is particularly important in advance of weddings, as you’ll be standing for at least a few hours at the reception, meaning your feet will be more on show than they usually are.