Men's Cocktail Attire With SUAVE OWL

July 22, 2024

What Should Men Wear To A Cocktail Party?

Invited to a cocktail event? You may be wondering what to wear. Men’s cocktail attire can be a world of fun, but also a bit of a headache. You want to be formal, fun, but not too casual. However, this can be a tricky blend to achieve. If you want to know more about men’s cocktail attire, want to answer the question of what should men wear to a cocktail party, and want men’s cocktail party outfit ideas, this is the blog for you…

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What Is Cocktail Attire For Men?

The cocktail dress code can be a confusing one if you have not already encountered it. Don’t worry though, SUAVE OWL can make it simple (yet sophisticated).

The cocktail dress code is a step up from smart casual but a step below full formal. Sophisticated, chic, but a little bit more relaxed than your more formal dress codes, such as black tie. It should be sophisticated, comfortable, with a little bit of fun and personality.

It is generally accepted that the best course of action for a men’s cocktail outfit is a suit and tie. To ensure you meet the dress code set, using this as a guideline is a must. However, there’s still plenty of variety and choice to be had within this category. For more about how to pick the right men’s cocktail attire for you, read on…

Dos and Don’ts Of Men's Cocktail Attire

Before we get to the SUAVE OWL’s recommendations for cocktail party outfits for men, there’s a few dos and don’ts that all men should consider. Whilst there are ways to personalise your men’s cocktail outfit, sticking to these suggestions is a must! For events with a cocktail dress code, there are a few simple rules to keep in mind…

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Men’s Cocktail Attire Don’ts

Go too casual. No jeans, no trainers, no T-shirts. This event calls for more formality than these items allow for. For a general rule, your cocktail attire should be more formal than your professional workwear.

Go too formal. Whilst a cocktail party is a formal event, it does not call for a tuxedo or morning suit. Going too formal will make you stick out, and maybe not in a way that you like. It’s a time for suits, formal shirts, brogues, and a bit of colour. You could even opt for separate suit pieces. There’s even ways you can incorporate some aspects of men’s smart casual attire, such as jumpers, roll neck shirts, and patterned shirts. However, steer clear of your extremely formal options!

Men’s Cocktail Attire Dos

Express yourself. Whilst you do have to stay within the restraints of the dress code, don’t fall into the trap of removing the entirety of your style and personality from your outfit just because the event you’re attending has a formal dress code! There are always small ways you can make an outfit feel more like you, whether it’s the inclusion of your favourite colour, a family heirloom accessory, or a wearing a certain style!

Jamal's Wedding Attire

Wear cocktail attire for more events than just a cocktail party. Whilst wearing cocktail attire is a must for cocktail parties and events with the cocktail attire dress code explicitly stated, there are more places and ways to wear men’s cocktail attire. Work parties, networking events, significant birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings are all occasions where you can make men’s cocktail attire work for you.

Have fun with your cocktail attire men’s outfits. It can be easy to overthink a dress code and be weary of wearing the wrong thing. However, cocktail attire has a relaxed definition. It crosses between day and night wear. It’s more formal than professional attire but more relaxed than full formal dress code. There are opportunities to have a little fun with your cocktail attire, it’s a dress code to be embraced, not feared!

Men’s Cocktail Outfits

Now you know what you should and should not expect from your men’s cocktail attire, what to wear? Here are some SUAVE OWL recommendations for men’s cocktail outfits that will make you feel stylish and confident.

A simple men’s cocktail party outfit is the combination of a three-piece suit, a neutral-coloured men’s formal shirt, chinos, and a tie. It’s a winning outfit for a reason. You can feel free to have a little fun with your accessories and make them the focus. An interesting tie knot, pocket square fold, or statement braces – you can take it as far as your imagination allows!

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You can also opt for a two-piece suit instead of a three-piece! This slightly more relaxed men’s cocktail outfit offers opportunity to make a patterned shirt the focal point of your outfit. Or, you could opt for a neutral shirt and wear a differing suit jacket and suit trousers.

HM5 Stone 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Plain Twill Tie & Pocket Square Set

Seasonal Cocktail Outfits For Men

There are ways to incorporate the season into your cocktail outfits. Not only does it make you seasonably stylish, it also can make your outfit wildly more practical for the event itself. These are our recommendations for both a summer cocktail party outfit for men and a winter cocktail party outfit for men.

Men’s Cocktail Attire For Summer

Men’s summer cocktail attire is an explosion of colour. Lighter shades reflect sun rays, making you feel cooler throughout the days. Linen, cotton, seersucker, silk, and other light-weight breathable fabrics become stars of the show; they keep you feeling and looking cool throughout the day. Wearing less layers also becomes a popular choice for men’s cocktail attire in summer.

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Consider a two-piece ensemble in a light shade. Cream, beige, pastel colours, light blue, and other pale shades look fantastic in a men’s summer cocktail outfit. Suit jacket and suit trousers, or chinos, can make an excellent pairing. With this, wear a cotton men’s formal shirt in a neutral, pale shade. A tie in a darker shade or paler shade of another colour you’re wearing will look fantastic, or you could opt for no tie at all! For more adventurous gentlemen, you could consider a short-sleeve shirt instead or even a well-fitting and well-maintained polo shirt. Wear with your favourite brogues for that definite formal touch and neutral, hidden bamboo socks which are thermally regulating and absorbent. Not only will you be comfortable on the hottest of days, but you’ll also look fantastic too!

Men’s Cocktail Attire For Winter

Men’s winter cocktail attire is darker in colour than summer wear. Darker shades attract heat, keeping you warmer. Winter fabrics that are in seasonal style include velvet, tweed, corduroy, wool, and any fabric that insulates well. Seasonal colours for winter include black, grey, navy, dark green, brown, plum, and darker shades.

Your classic three-piece suit with a cotton shirt, tie or bow tie, and brogues works fantastically for men’s cocktail attire in winter. You could even add an overcoat and a fashionable scarf for that last seasonable touch. Let the suit itself be the statement, opting for one in a colour that gets you excited and fits well. With accessories in a darker shade or lighter shade of that same colour, you’ll end up with an exciting ensemble that really pops.

Rosa Black Jacket, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Van Buck Plain Bow Tie

A two-piece ensemble can also work for winter. A statement jacket, such as a velvet one, with neutral trousers, a formal shirt, neutral accessories, and brogues can look perfectly seasonable.

You could also wear a two-piece ensemble with a statement piece of knitwear. A suit jacket, suit trousers, men’s formal shirt, accessories, brogues, and a jumper can give a scholarly impression and still work fantastically as cocktail attire. You could even wear a roll neck jumper and skip the formal shirt all together. This men’s winter cocktail outfit will certainly make an impression!