Cocktail Attire for Men
Did you know that it was the Prohibition that started the trend of cocktail parties? With it becoming illegal to sell, manufacture or transport alcohol for consumption nationally, people moved parties that served alcohol to their houses, and these events became the 'event' to attend. With increasing popularity, people started dressing up more fashionably and a whole new dress code emerged for the party. Attire for men was less formal at these events when compared to evening wear of the times.
With the rise in fashion conscious people, the cocktail parties became even more fashionable. The appropriate attire for a cocktail party during 1950s, for men became slim pants in silk or rayon with custom-made jackets. Ascot accessories cotton or silk shirts with slender ties were accepted as cocktail attire dress code. Slowly, during the 1960s, ties became out-of-fashion as a part of cocktail attire for guys. Even today, the same logic applies to cocktail outfit for men.<>Buzzle.com
What Can a Guy Wear to a Cocktail Party?
Cocktail attire is defined as the suitable dress that can be worn on a formal occasion. It basically means wearing a dark suit for men. Cocktail attire for guys is mostly a suit and tie. You can even try wearing a coat and tie. Choose the colors and fabrics according to the latest trends of the season. Let us understand more about cocktail party attire according to the cocktail attire etiquette.
Before deciding the cocktail party attire, check out how you received the invitation. If you received the invitation by phone or email, it means it is a casual affair. You can wear dress pants coupled with a stylish shirt and jacket. For not too casual or semi-formal parties, tuxedos paired with light-colored shirts with or without ties can be worn. If you are invited to association parties or charity raising cocktail parties, the cocktail attire etiquette calls for a formal dress up.
When you receive a formal invitation, watch out for words that say 'semi-formal' or 'black tie optional'. Semi-formal means a dark suit for men and black tie optional throws open a choice to wear a tuxedo or dark suit and a formal tie. A invitation card or pass means you need to dress up formally, that is, black suit and tie. Engraved Invitation cards or invitation through official channels indicate a black tie event. If you find there is no mention of a dress code on the invitation, then you need to check the venue. If it is luxury hotel, then you need to wear complete formals.
When choosing the fabric, consider the current season. You can try light-colored linen or cotton fabrics during spring and summers. This is the season where you can try a few subtle colored clothes. Choose while dark and muted fabrics for fall and winter. These tones include navy, charcoal, dark brown, etc. Tropical colored fabrics are accepted during spring. In case it is a cocktail party to celebrate a wedding, you could wear a blazer or sport coat with a dark-colored jeans. You could also go in for corduroy pants paired with a turtle neck. A poolside cocktail party, spells more of a casual affair. Thus, you could wear pants with a light-colored, top-unbuttoned shirt.
The time of the day the party is hosted should also be taken into consideration. If it is a daytime party, you cam choose a less formal attire. This includes shirt, khaki pants and a blazer. You should dress up in a casual outfit for a cocktail party that is an afternoon event. You may try a formal suit for an evening men's cocktail attire.
The strict no-no's in cocktail attire dress code, is wearing sneakers. You should also avoid athletic socks or even shorts as a cocktail party attire. Match the color of the socks with your pants. You can wear lace-up shoes or loafer-style shoes. In case, the climate is too hot, you may opt for lightweight pants in cool gingham or chambray. Make sure your cocktail attire is in coordination with the cocktail dress of your wife or date.
A casual suit or well-ironed pants and a crisp buttoned shirt and tie will suffice as cocktail attire for guys on most occasions. If you have any doubts regarding the formality of the party, carry a jacket along with you to the event. Wear the jacket if you see it worn by other men, or leave it in your car, accordingly. Men's cocktail attire can be a combination of casual blazers and dinner jackets.
Accessories related to appropriate cocktail attire for a cocktail party, include a good leather belt and shiny, well-polished shoes. Match your watch, hat, etc. along with your cocktail attire. The most important point to be remembered when dressing up appropriately in a cocktail attire for men is how you carry yourself. Be comfortable with what you wear and make sure your clothes fit you properly. It's all in the attitude, that can even make a simple t-shirt worn to the cocktail party look acceptable. Give attention to the little details and you will surely be the eye-candy and most attractive and well-dressed invitee of the day.
