How Men Should Dress For A Cocktail Party

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These days it can be difficult for a man to know how to dress for a cocktail party. This is because there are now formal and informal parties. The first step is to gather as much information about the party as possible. You can start with the invitation, it might say formal or informal. If you know other people who are attending the party, ask them.

Whether the party is an informal or formal gathering certain rules do apply. Do not show up in jeans and a tee shirt. If the invitation does indeed say cocktail party then it is important to look sharp and well-groomed. If you cannot determine whether it is truly a formal occasion or not, assume it is. It is better to be overdressed, than underdressed.

If you know for certain it is a formal cocktail party than you already know how to dress; it is a black tie event. Most charity events are formal, so dressing in the classic black tie attire is important; otherwise you will stick out like a sore thumb. Still, if you are not sure whether it is indeed formal, an important clue is on how you were invited. If you received the invite via an e-mail, it is a good bet it is an informal party. An engraved invitation mailed to you is a sure sign of a formal event.

It is absolutely acceptable to pick up the telephone and call the person throwing the party, and simply ask them if it is formal or informal. While this may seem a bit direct, it is better to play it safe, then to show up at formal affair dressed in golf shirt and Dockers. However, shoes do not discriminate between the formal or informal cocktail party. A loafer or laced dress shoe is required for both occasions.

Another element to consider is the time of day the cocktail party is being held. Expect to wear a suit if the cocktail party is an evening event, formal or informal. If the invitation states informal and is held during the day you can reasonably assume that you do not need to wear your best suit.

In summary, with today's blurred lines between formal and more casual cocktail parties it is a challenge for men to know what to wear. If the invitation was e-mailed or phoned to you it is reasonable to assume that it is an informal event. There is no need to wear a suit for informal cocktail parties. An engraved invitation mailed to you is probably a formal event. If you are not sure if the cocktail party is formal, the rule of thumb is to assume it is formal and to dress accordingly.


About the Author:
Hendrik is an expert author on mens fashion, style, and shopping. He has published hundreds of guide on dress code, fashion tips, and career advice. He also is the owner of an online tie shop selling Silk Ties, bow ties, cufflinks, trendy Skinny Ties and more.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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