A wedding in the country has its own set of sartorial rules. Unlike in the city, a black suit and a white shirt can appear a little severe in a rural setting, so opt for slightly softer colours that will blend in better with your environment. Tweed makes sense in the colder months, but in the summer, you’ll want to go for something lighter. This double-breasted linen navy suit from Italian brand Lardini will bring the sprezzatura, while this Canali shirt, which is a shade of light pink so subtle that it almost looks off-white, will add warmth to the look. You can then pull it all together with a trio of coordinating accessories. Both the brown polka-dot pocket square from Dunhill and brown knitted tie from Rubinacci serve as a complement to the suede pair of Oxfords from John Lobb, while the differing textures stop it short of looking too matchy-matchy.

While a holiday abroad is usually an excuse to swap out shirts and trousers for shorts and T-shirts, a destination wedding demands that you pull out all the stops – which, when in unfamiliar territory, can be tricky. If you’ve been invited somewhere warm and are concerned about overheating, choose lighter, more breathable fabrics such as linen. This double-breasted silk and linen-blend jacket from Caruso and white linen trousers from Ralph Lauren Purple Label are stellar examples that will make you look as though you’ve stepped straight out of a novel by Dame Agatha Christie. Lean into it further with a silk shirt from ZEGNA (silk is also great in hot weather), some raffia loafers from Manolo Blahnik (no socks, of course), and a pair of tinted sunglasses from Jacques Marie Mage. Riviera-core, anyone?

A city wedding may sound like it would be easy to dress for, but beware. There’s a fine line between being suitably suave and looking like you got lost on the office commute. You can avoid this by choosing a black suit, such as this wool-twill one from Jil Sander, and a white shirt – you’ll want to dodge office-appropriate powder blue. Try switching things up with your accessories. Some horsebit loafers, such as these Gucci classics, will look as good in the pews as they will on the dance floor, while a tie (complete with a silver tie pin) cranks up the formality further. Finish everything off with a long coat that won’t look out of place outside of the city hall – nothing beats a Burberry trench.

The so-called “casual” wedding can be deceptive. The dress code on the invitation might say “come as you are”, but when you turn up in a hoodie and everyone else is in a sport jacket, that’s on you. So, how do you convey that you’ve actually made an effort without looking like you have? A few tips to rely on: swap your white wedding shirt for a neutral T-shirt, such as this grey one from The Row, which you can layer under your suit jacket. And for the trousers, try out a drawstring pair, such as these from UMIT BENAN B+. Drawstring trousers have been building momentum in menswear for the past few years and are a great alternative that manages to walk the notoriously tricky line between smart and casual. A pair of suede driving shoes will ground everything nicely, while a flourish of contemporary jewellery (think a beaded bracelet or necklace, such as this colourful one from éliou) will channel some casual flair.

Black-tie dress is typically the most formal many of us will get when it comes to events. (White tie is technically one step up on the formality scale, but that’s another story.) A tuxedo or dinner suit is a solid investment that will serve you well if you get it right. Tuxedo jackets are defined by their satiny lapels, which as well as catching the light serve to bring some visual texture to the look. And while they are usually black, other dark hues can work well. This navy number from Brunello Cucinelli, complete with silk-satin lapels, is perhaps as perfect an example as we can muster. Not just for summer, it will see you through plenty of occasions to come. Finish everything off with a white silk pocket square from TOM FORD, some spanking Derbies from George Cleverley, some gold FERRAGAMO cufflinks and a flash of a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch. And, of course, the most important component to bring the whole thing together – a silk-satin bow tie, again from Brunello Cucinelli. What could be smarter?