How to look your best without upstaging the groom.

For those entrusted with the role of best man, the dreaded speech tends to be the focus. Writing it is a fine art – you need to be funny, without offending the bride’s great aunt – but the thought of performing it can be daunting, too. And that’s just your moment in the limelight. Throughout the big day, you will need to be the groom’s rock, but also his tormentor, and both of those require confidence. And if you need to be confident, a good place to start is with your clothes. You want an outfit that says you’ve made an effort, but not so much that you show up the groom. Well, maybe just a bit. Here, then, is our guide to being the best-dressed best man. We’ll leave the PowerPoint presentation of incriminating photography to you.

If ever there were a time and a place for tradition, it is here. But, as with the toast to the bride and groom that you, ahem, borrowed from the internet, it’s worth going off template just enough to make your own mark. This suit by Paul Smith gets the tone spot on. Tailored in Italy from pure wool, it ticks all the right boxes, but with a twist. It comes in a navy and midnight-blue gingham check. Details such as this will keep the wedding guests on their toes (that and the inevitable Mr Michael Jackson medley later in the night).

If you’re playing, even slightly, with convention when it comes to your choice of suit, you’ll want to keep everything else clean and classic. That doesn’t mean boring, though. This Burberry shirt is a thoroughly modern take on the dress shirt, thanks to its slim-cut and stretchy cotton-blend poplin fabric. It also features removable stays to keep the collar looking crisp, no matter how many flutes of champagne you guzzle. This burgundy wool, silk and linen tie will add richness, and work as a counterpoint to the blue suit.

It’s a wedding, so, however much of a bad-boy best man you are, you should wear a pair of Oxford shoes. And this pair by Northampton’s John Lobb constitute the apex of the form. Elegant enough to provide the foundation for any formalwear, they’ll also hold their own on the dance floor – just be sure to give them a regular polish (and keep them safely stowed on shoe trees) and they’ll be with you for many weddings to come. Along with the customary inch of shirt cuff on show below your suit sleeve, you’ll want the reassuring glint of Swiss-made stainless steel. Try this example from Oris, which also comes with a deep blue face that will work nicely with your suit. After all, on today of all days, timing is everything.

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