When it comes to men, they are “always on the low side” when it comes to choosing the best dress code for a given occasion, function or even an invitation. This becomes more challenge-full especially when the dress code is dictated, but here we will define and provide the solution to each and every dressing code.
- Formal Dress Code
The phrase “formal attire” is badly misunderstood in modern society. Formal attire does not mean suits and ties but a substantially higher dress code, requiring clothes that most men don’t own. This kind of wear for men changes depending on the time of day: in daylight hours, it means morning dress with a tailcoat and vest, while at night it means white tie (For men, it consists of a black tailcoat worn over a white starched shirt, marcella waistcoat and the eponymous white bow-tie worn around a detachable collar).
- Semi-Formal Dress Code – Black Tie
Despite the name semi-formal, this dress code remain strictest dress code most of us will wear in our lives. Like formal wear, semi-formal attire changes based on time of day. In the evening it is the familiar black tie (tuxedo) ensemble, while in the daytime the stroller (a relaxed alternative to morning dress) is appropriate.
If you receive a semi-formal invitation, give yourself plenty of time for the rental process. Expect it to take several weeks from your first fitting and outfit selection for the clothes to arrive and be adjusted.
- Business Dress Code
This simply means matched suits. For such an event just wear a dark, solid colored or pinstriped suit. You need to pair it with a white dress shirt, a conservative tie, and black leather oxfords, and there you’re in business.
Lighter gray suit or a dark brown one are also acceptable.
- Business Casual or Dress Casual
When it comes to this, the most conventional dress casual outfit for a man is a navy blue blazer with light to medium gray slacks or khakis. The world casual gives a fair amount of flexibility. Blazers or sports jackets are the dressiest look within the code, while sweaters or dress shirts without a top layer are more dressed-down.
In general, you’re better off showing up with a jacket and tie, and then stripping one or both off if you find yourself too overdressed. It’s easy to dress a blazer or sports jacket and slacks down, but hard to dress a plain shirt up
- Casual Dress
Majority of men will argue that they have dressed casually yet the kind or dressing they have done is complicated.
Neckties are definitely not needed, but a casual jacket could still be worn. Similarly, jeans are acceptable if the invitation says “casual,” but they should be dark, fitted jeans, not plain work jeans or anything with rips and tears.
- “Optional” Dress Codes
This may sound so simple to understand but very tricky to effect. Optional means that the hosts are planning on wearing the listed code, and encourage guests to do likewise if they wish. It’s a way of dressing the event up without requiring that every single attendee meet a high standard that might require rental clothing or expensive purchases.
The idea is, meet the mentioned plus optional dress code but do not overdo that.
- What of invitations without dress code?
When this happens, understand that you are not being cornered or let free to munch all what you have in wardrobe. The best thing to do is to inquire from the host the suggested dress code.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing that, ask around among other attendees. And if you truly have no one you can ask, consider the time and setting: evening attire should generally be darker and simpler than daytime, outdoor settings are more casual than indoor, and so on.