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What's meant by cocktail attire today then?
While it is still a relatively formal and somewhat strict dress code, there is a little bit more room for creativity and expression in today's interpretations of cocktail attire. It can apply to traditional cocktail parties, of course, but also to other events like weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and so on.
If you will be attending a wedding or another event of similar pedigree, you will want to stick to the more traditional interpretation of cocktail attire.
What exactly should a man wear to an event that has a dress code of cocktail attire?
So, let us break down that traditional, conservative interpretation of the dress code first and discuss some of the variations along the way.
The most traditional option for a cocktail attire suit, which is to say, of course, that being jacket, trousers, and optional waistcoat are all cut from matching fabric, is in a medium gray color, as I am wearing here today. Of course, going for something even darker such as charcoal, gray, or navy blue is also perfectly acceptable.
Conversely, a black suit would be much too somber for cocktail attire and should be avoided.
No matter what color of suit you choose, solid colors are safest. You can go with a faint pattern such as a light windowpane or maybe a Glenn check but keep in mind that that pattern should be conservative and not overly loud.
To provide contrast with a more medium to dark suit then, your shirt should typically be lighter in color. White is standard, of course, but you can also go for off-white or pastel colors like pink, yellow, or blue. A Winchester shirt which is to say a shirt with a white collar and sometimes white cuffs, paired with a colored and occasionally patterned body, can also be an acceptable choice for cocktail attire so long as the color that is incorporated in the body of the shirt is similarly light and subtle. Dark shirts or shirts in jewel tones, take, for example, burgundies, eggplants, and so on, are too modern and too Avante-Garde for traditional cocktail attire.
Regarding ties, solid ties are a safe and acceptable choice, of course, but traditional patterns like small dots or micropatterns, as I am wearing here today, are also a smart choice.
When it comes to shoes, black oxfords are your best bet. They should ideally be plain toed but a conservative cap toe can work equally well. Black derby shoes, if well shined, in a similarly conservative style are also acceptable. If you have a pair of oxfords in a deep brown or oxblood and they've been polished to a mirror shine, you can feel free to wear those as well.
To be most conservative, your socks should ideally match the color of your suit's trousers. You can match them to another element in your outfit, say, for example, your tie if it is conservatively styled but this is a slightly bolder option. It goes without saying, however, stay away from anything in bright colors or crazy patterns as that is simply too informal for cocktail attire.
As with the somewhat closely related black tie optional dress code, the area where a man has the greatest amount of latitude in traditional cocktail attire is with his accessories.
Cufflinks can be silver, gold of any shade, or any other type of solid metal and can incorporate stones or engraving.
Tie bars, collar clips, and rings can also be incorporated into your ensemble so long as they are conservatively styled too.
Pocket squares should ideally echo the shirt. That is to say, white pocket squares for white shirts and squares incorporating an element of color if you are wearing a colored shirt.
Finally regarding boutonnieres, something light to medium in color and overall understated is a smart choice.
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