No cocktail event it's not like any other, so when The outdoor party season is starting , be sure that your appearance will be pleasant and correct, in accordance with the dress code mentioned on the invitation to the party you are invited to.
Although at first glance it seems simple to choose a suit, once you get into this position you realize that there are many models to choose from depending on the event, many cuts to choose from depending on your body type, but also materials and colors depending on the season. Not to mention the accessories that also need to be chosen and matched appropriately for a proper cocktail outfit.
In this article, I have prepared several tips on how to choose your outfit for a cocktail party (whether for business or just for pleasure) and especially which accessories are most suitable for various types of events and parties that come with invitations that require a certain dress code. Let the summer parties begin!
What does the outfit for a cocktail party entail?
If we were to take the word-for-word translation of the concept of "cocktail party", it would be: a short party where guests are served cocktails. It is said that the first such party in England took place in 1924 and was hosted by the artist Christopher Nevinson.
If we are to go by the thread of history, as an event itself, it starts after 5:00 PM, lasts approximately 2-3 hours, and sometimes we could say that it comes as a "prelude" before dinner and the actual party that will take place afterwards.
How to dress for a cocktail party?
During events of this type, soft drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails or champagne are served. As for snacks, a buffet is organized where you can find sandwiches, salads, desserts, but without very sophisticated things, since there are very few chairs, and the purpose of the party is to socialize, relax and dance, not to stuff yourself with food. All this is accompanied by music.
But that's not all.
A very important thing that gentlemen invited to the party will have to keep in mind is the chosen attire. And for this, first of all, they will have to take into account the way they were invited: if it is an email or a simple phone call, it will make it clear that they can go for a business casual style, towards casual; if it is a classic invitation, by mail, then they will have to turn their attention to something more formal.
Other aspects you will need to take into account when choosing your clothes are: the season and the time of day when the event takes place.
season
If it's spring or summer, use light fabrics (linen, cotton, or very thin wool) and bright colors, and if it's fall or winter, go for thicker items (e.g. wool, cashmere, flannel) and more temperate shades.
Time of day
If it's during the day, go for something less formal (e.g. khaki pants, shirt, blazer with metal buttons, brogues), and if it's in the evening choose a suit next to the tie.
How do you choose your event outfit when you have a specific dress code?
All this if the invitation does not specify a specific dress code. But if it does, then you are in luck, and you can play it safe by taking into account the following aspects:
Casual
Choose jeans, a shirt in a single shade (on the body) and a pair of brogues.
Business Casual
You can wear khaki pants, brogues or loafers, a polo shirt or button-down shirt, and a sports blazer.
Here, play it safe with a gray or navy blue suit (can also be a 3-piece suit), formal shirt, silk tie, pocket square, and Oxford shoes.
Semi-Formal
Things are almost the same as in the Business situation. Choose a suit in a dark shade, a white shirt preferably, a tie and Oxford shoes.
Don't forget about accessories , where you are allowed: a pocket square that is accessible for any type of outfit; a flower, a brooch on the lapel of the blazer for a daytime outfit in the spring/summer season; a bandana-style scarf for casual outfits; etc.
In general, the "black tie" dress code is usually invoked for formal events that begin after six in the evening, or after sunset in the winter months. Typically, events that require mandatory evening attire are private or public dinners, dances, charity parties and balls, etc. Black tie is a less formal attire than white tie and more formal than business or informal attire.
In fact, in many cases, people no longer use the white tie dress code, but refer to a very formal event, with strict evening and gala etiquette through mandatory attire and the black tie dress code.
It is best to evaluate each event where the attire is required: who are the organizers, what is the occasion, how many guests are attending (situations vary greatly from a dinner with the mayor and his family, to a charity dinner with 150 guests and celebrities present) and only then decide whether to choose an informal or semi-formal outfit.
Find out everything you want to know in detail about the black tie dress code from our guide!
The components of a black tie outfit
For men, the elements of this dress code are:
Wool tuxedo
With satin or silk lapels, with a single row of buttons. Double-breasted ones are the same, but less common. Although the name Black suggests the color black, in some tropical areas, where temperatures are somewhat higher, it is permissible to wear white or similar colored jackets. From the point of view of good manners, during Black Tie events, the jacket will remain on the shoulders of the wearer, and it will only be removed if the host or the person with the highest position asks it to be taken off.
Traditionally, they did not have belt loops, being supported by suspenders, which were covered by the vest. However, nowadays they are worn pants with a belt, but in slightly less formal environments.
Previously, while Black Tie was becoming accepted alongside White Tie, men still wore white waistcoats, specific to the second type of attire. Today, the waistcoat can come in many colors, but the most commonly used is black. Also, the waistcoat is only worn when the jacket has a single row of buttons. It can also be single-row (3 buttons) or double-row (3 or 4 pairs of buttons). As mentioned earlier, one of its purposes was to hide the suspenders.
Shirt
The most suitable shirt for the Black Tie event is the shirt with a normal pointed collar. It is suitable precisely because it brings the word "formal" to the expression "semi-formal" of this dress code. It can be adorned with a self-tie bow tie, sometimes (less often) with a black tie, and on the sleeves, instead of buttons, you will wear cufflinks, usually made of gold or silver.
shoes
It would be ideal to wear black shoes, the Oxford captoe model, to such an event today.
Accessories
A handkerchief, usually made of cotton or silk, can be worn in the breast pocket. A flower can also be added to the buttonhole. Be careful, because in France wearing a flower in the buttonhole and a pocket handkerchief is not allowed. In addition, wristwatches should not be worn, but pocket watches are the most accepted.
Regardless of the theme of the business party you are attending, it is important to choose the ideal outfit that will make you stand out. At Tudor Tailor, our clothing advisors will give you the right advice for the event you will be attending.