Use it wisely, and no one will notice just you how drunk you really are. Instead, cocktail attire for men is what you wear to weddings, formal sporting events, and adult celebrations. As a result, the cocktail dress code for men is elegant and semi-formal in spirit, but not without an edge of personal expression.
As the name implies, smart casual cocktail attire for men offers a little more flexibility. That means you can theoretically ditch the tie, or throw on a tailored blazer instead of the two-piece suit.
Destination weddings on a beach, with a specified less formal dress code, would be an obvious exception. The Prohibition might have run from to in the USA, but someone apparently forgot to tell all the wealthy people. More to the point, alcohol was flowing liberally among the well-heeled folks of America and other first world countries back in the s and 30s, so much so that they even began enjoying a boozy beverage or two before dinner. Since all social activities required an element of formality for men back in the day, male cocktail party attire was introduced.
Instead, opt for a nice suit or blazer ensemble. In other words, feel free to add the personal touch, but avoid loud colours, patterns and details. First and foremost, you want to wear a shirt that matches your suit.
For that reason, you should stick with neutral colours. To avoid limp shirt collars, opt for materials like cotton with fabric weaves. With so much going on in fashion these days, it feels a tad antiquated to say that ties are mandatory when it comes to cocktail attire.
The only exception would be if you were to wear a turtleneck as an alternative to the standard shirt and tie combo. As for the bow tie, there might a few bold men out there who make one part of their cocktail attire regimen, but we suggest saving it for a black-tie event.
Get yourself a pair of formal dress shoes, keep them clean and shiny, and make sure they match with the rest of your outfit. Patterns on the socks are acceptable, permitted they still blend elegantly with your jacket and trousers. The cocktail dress code leaves room for accessories, but be sure not to go overboard. As far as the essentials are concerned, a trusty pocket square or boutonniere flower delivers a perfect touch of subtle style. On a somewhat related note, we should mention that a fresh haircut and clean shave might not separate you from the pack, but the absence of both will definitely make you stand out…for all the wrong reasons.
In other words, be sure to get your groom on before the big event. Modern Cocktail attire does not always require a tie, though it is still considered acceptable to wear one. Go for black formal shoes velvet slippers and classic or wholecut Oxfords in black are acceptable. It's a pretty conservative dress code so there's not much room for innovation and you'd be wise not to try. The famous tuxedo is the main character here. While the classic tux is as dark as can be, nowadays it is also accepted in midnight blue.
Another variation is a white dinner jacket and black pants. The traditional attire includes the single-breasted tuxedo with or without silk facings , black cummerbund, black bow tie, white turn-down spread collar shirt with a pleated front. For shoes, you can go for black formal ones such as Oxfords. Black Tie events can overlap with White Tie, it just depends on how formal the event is going to be. A few places you may be asked to wear black tie attire include:. This is the little cousin of the traditional Black Tie dress code.
If you opt for the suit instead of the tux, wear it with a plain white dress shirt, conservative tie and dress socks that match your suit color. Use a pair of well-shined shoes such as Monk-Straps or Oxfords. A few of the events that you may see as Black Tie Optional include:. Note the new relative called Creative Black Tie; which is black tie attire with the option to subtly break the rules.
It provides an excellent opportunity to get wild if you're feeling the part. This means a pop of color in the socks, a bow tie, a designed pocket square , or something subtle that suits your fancy. The most popular of all the dress codes is the cocktail attire for men. It is still formal, but leaves a little more room for creativity. You can sport a cool pattern on your tie, and in some cases, colored socks. However, suits and ties should always be in dark hues but never black unless you're a priest.
Bold patterns are not always accepted, but a well-fitted windowpane suit can also work well. It can range from a very formal affair to something much more laid-back and informal. What the dress code means and what you should wear will vary depending on the location and the occasion.
We illustrated this guide with plenty of photos and pictures to make it as easy and unambiguous as possible. Welcome to our cocktail attire look guide for the modern man. This article is part of a style series covering the 5 essential dress codes for men :.
As a result, you have a little bit of freedom as to how you want to execute the style. But you also have more room for errors. The location and time of the occasion will dictate how exactly you should dress. You want to show that you made an effort for the occasion and that you respect your hosts. A business networking event will call for formal cocktail attire.
As a rule of thumb, you should always consider the occasion, the location and the time of the day to select your cocktail attire.
A party invitation with a cocktail attire dress code for men usually means that you should wear a suit with a shirt, dress shoes and a tie or bow tie. In some instances, just a blazer and a pair of dark-coloured jeans will be acceptable if the dress code is more casual.
Your usual business suits will do as long as they are well-fitted and in good condition. You can invest in a dedicated cocktail suit if you expect to attend a lot cocktail party, however. In that case, you should look for a suit that has more structure and that is made with heavier fabric to emphasise the evening party element and separate it from a day business suit.
Initially, the cocktail attire emerged in the s in the upscale community. Today, the cocktail look and purpose has changed of course. Luckily, cocktail attire is convenient for men as you can usually pull it off by using garments and accessories that you already have for other dress codes. The secret to a successful cocktail party wardrobe for men is in the details. The fit of your shirt.
The finishing and details of your shoes. Your cocktail attire starts with a jacket, a shirt, a tie and a pair of dress shoes. Once you have the foundations taken care of, you can start to work with accessories to complete your look: a belt, a dressy watch, a pocket square and cufflinks.
Our style experts have handpicked specific recommendations to help you achieve the look. You can wear one of your usual office suits for a cocktail party. A classic white shirt is next on your list. Make sure that your shirt looks good when fully buttoned-up. You want the collar to have some substance and structure to perfectly frame your tie if you wear one.
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