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Cocktail Dress for Weddings and Beyond – A Men’s Style Guide

As the weather cools down, so do social events. Weddings, galas, parties…so many great opportunities to show off your favorite sophisticated accessories! But what about dress codes? Some dress codes are set in stone, while others are more up-to-date. Cocktail dress can often be confusing – what exactly does a man’s cocktail dress code look like?

Luckily, cocktail dress is pretty simple. Chances are you already have all the basics in your wardrobe. No need to agonize over what to wear to a wedding, cocktail party, or other event – we’ve got you covered!

Decoding a Cocktail Dress Code

First, read the invitation. Understand that cocktail dress codes aren’t limited to cocktail parties. Different cocktail parties may call for completely different dress codes – it all comes down to wording. Is the dress code clearly stated, or do you have to read between the lines?

If it is, follow your host’s instructions. If not, look for clues by looking at:

Who is inviting you?
When will the event be held?
Where is the venue? Is it indoors or outdoors?

If you're still unsure what to wear, ask for confirmation. If you can't confirm, err on the side of being overdressed rather than underdressed, but keep it conservative.

Whatever you do, don't upstage the host—and definitely don't upstage the bride and groom with your style!

The Perfect Wedding Cocktail Attire

Cocktail attire is a step below black tie and a step above business casual.

Sometimes called semi-formal or business, cocktail attire is a little more special—perhaps similar to what you would wear to a formal job interview. You're not the dapper, well-dressed type, but you're not the average 9-to-5 type either.

The Suit

Cocktail Dress + Wedding + Men = Suits

Evening events call for a dark suit, preferably in blue or gray—think navy, midnight blue, or graphite to mid-gray. Afternoon events are better suited to lighter shades, as well as brown. Black is too formal for daytime or evening cocktail attire, so only wear it when you feel it will be the best.

Can a blazer be worn to a cocktail party? Yes—if you don’t have a full suit, you can mix and match the jacket and pants. But be careful to choose similar colors—like a dark jacket with dark pants, or vice versa. An outfit made up of high-contrast pieces will look too casual.

The Shirt

Save your tuxedo shirt for your tuxedo! The ideal shirt for a cocktail party is a classic, crisp white dress shirt.

Men Wear White Shirts to Cocktail Parties

Next up is another solid, light shirt—blue is always the best choice—or a white shirt with a subtle pattern.

The Accessories

This is where the fun begins. Cocktail parties offer the opportunity to accessorize with a personal touch—again, as long as you don’t steal the show from the host.

From top to bottom: First, a tie is a must. Bow ties and cocktail parties are a match made in heaven, but a perfect pocket square can add a touch of personality to your look.

Belts and shoes should match; for example, if you choose brown shoes, pair them with a brown belt. Don’t pair brown shoes with a black belt. But if you choose an interesting belt or decide to go with colorful lace, go with your style. These details can be subtly mixed and matched.

There are some occasions where you can go sockless, but cocktail attire absolutely requires socks. A pair of eye-catching socks will work, as long as they are intentional. The most attractive thing is to incorporate the main color of the socks, or the prominent or subtle color in the pattern, into your outfit.

Finally, cocktail attire is best paired with dark lace-up shoes. Brown and oxblood leather are the most popular, but modern gentlemen can choose other colors and materials. Lace is another great way to show off your style. Consider some fun colors to let your stylish side shine (and match your bow tie color, of course)!

What Cocktail Attire Isn't Right?

If you choose a black suit, a black bow tie, or black shoes, you're probably too formal for a cocktail party. And if you wear all three, you're definitely too formal! Black is formal.

On the other hand, if you wear jeans or khakis, a polo or printed shirt, or sneakers, you're too casual for comfort.

What's Casual Cocktail Attire?

Casual cocktail attire for a wedding or event falls somewhere between semi-formal and business casual.

A good rule of thumb is to follow the guidelines above.

Dress for an overall look, but also incorporate more personal touches, including trendy pieces. A more casual event also means a looser schedule, so dress comfortably and stay a while!

If it feels right, you might even consider:

A statement blazer
Bright colors
Prints and florals
Signature accessories
Casual cocktail attire for men

Winter cocktail attire, layer up

Winter cocktail attire opens up a whole new realm of high-end menswear. For a traditional cocktail party, stick with a classic outerwear and accessories; for a casual cocktail party, layer up and look stylish if you like!

Winter pieces might include: