Cocktail Attire for Men

From LoveToKnow Men's Fashion

Deciphering cocktail attire for men can be a tricky thing, especially given that today's cocktail parties can be either semiformal or formal. Before blowing big bucks on a suit for a party, it's a good idea to have complete information about the event. This can mean the difference between going all out and perhaps buying something new, or simply making good use of a few items in your closet.

Suits are always acceptable formal-wear.

Formal Wear Slideshow

General Cocktail Party Attire

At bare minimum, cocktail parties do demand a certain sense of polish. One shouldn't plan to show up in jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers, nor should dressing for the occasion even be taken lightly. It's important to look smart, clean cut and well groomed for any affair that is referred to as a "cocktail party." Whether or not it's a traditional cocktail party is another matter altogether; in general, you can expect everyone else to be dressed to the nines, so it's a good idea to follow suit and look sharp.

Choosing Cocktail Attire for Men

If you know for a fact that the event in question is extremely formal, then you're actually in luck because you'll know exactly what type of clothes you should be wearing. Most formal occasions, such as charity dinners, association events or galas, require black tie dress. Don't veer away from this social norm; doing so will cause you to stand out – poorly – in a sea of smart suits.

On the other hand, a different type of event deemed a "cocktail party" may not be the same as those excessively formal affairs. Consider the manner in which you were invited to the event. Was the invitation emailed or phoned? In that case, it's unlikely to be an extremely formal event. After all, most black-tie affairs are announced via some sort of official invitation – usually an engraved card is the norm. An "evite" is hardly considering a formal manner of inviting guests to a special event.

If you're unsure about whether the event is semiformal or not, it's okay to ask. In fact, it's better that you do, lest you risk standing out in a bad way once you get there. You don't want to be the guy sporting khakis while everyone else is decked out in fine suits.

You'll also want to consider the season. If the event is being held during spring or summer, you will want to wear something lighter to keep you more comfortable in high temperatures. That's not to say you shouldn't wear your best suit to a formal affair, but opt for something made with a lightweight fabric. If the event is semiformal, you can get away with adding a small splash of color to your outfit –a bright handkerchief peeking out of a coat pocket is a good choice.

If the event is being held during fall or winter, choose colors that resonate with the season. Your best bets are earth tones and other dark shades, like brown, navy and charcoal. These hues are timeless, so even if you do have to purchase something new, you can count on wearing them several times over the years.

Another element to consider is the time of day. If the event is being held in the evening, you can almost always count on a dress suit, even if the invitation reads semiformal. If it's a daytime cocktail party, consider that this will usually call for less formal attire (again, though, if you're unsure it's always a good idea to check). For these types of occasions, you can usually get away with wearing khakis, a smart dress shirt and a crisp blazer.

Your footwear, on the other hand, is not optional. Semiformal and formal events alike demand a lace-up or loafer-style shoe, so keep your boots and sneakers in the closet. You will also want to wear socks that match the color of your pants instead of white socks.

A Final Tip

In general, cocktail attire for men is defined as, at the very least, a dress suit. You should not veer too far away from this tradition, but take into consideration the points listed above. Far too often, an event is referred to as a cocktail party without actually being one. If this is the case, you have some leeway and may be able to reinterpret the look to suit your own tastes.

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