BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Dress for a Cocktail Party - Men

By eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

Rate: (62 Ratings)

Cocktail parties give you a chance to mingle among friends, acquaintances, and current and potential business associates. Look sharp and dress appropriately for the occasion. If you're unsure how formal the event is you can always ask a friend who is also going and see what he plans to wear and use that as a starting point.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Blazers
Dress Socks
Men's Dress Shirts
Men's Dress Shoes
Men's Dress Sweater
Men's Khakis
Mens' Dress Pants
Sports Coat
Cologne
Mens' Watches

Step1

Consider the type of invitation. If it came by phone or e-mail, chances are the party is casual. If you received a formal invitation, and especially if the event benefits a charity or association, consider it a dressier affair.

Step2

Think about the season. Wear lighter-weight fabrics and brighter colors for spring and summer get-togethers. Stick to dark, muted tones in heavier fabrics for fall and winter gatherings.

Step3

Dress up casual business attire for a more formal after-work cocktail party. Add a blazer to khaki pants and a button-down shirt, or pair a sport coat with black jeans and a black mock turtleneck. Switch sandals or athletic shoes for dark leather loafers or lace-up shoes.

Step4

Treat cocktail parties on weekend afternoons less formally than those scheduled in the evening. Go dressy business casual for a more formal late-afternoon gathering; opt for a suit in the evening. For a less formal event, wear a nice casual outfit in the afternoon and dressier business casual clothes in the evening.

Tips & Warnings

Athletic socks and shoes are inappropriate for a cocktail party. Shorts are also not advisable even on summer afternoons. Opt for lightweight pants in cotton or linen instead.
Check a formal invitation for terms like 'semiformal' or 'black-tie optional.' If you see these indications, a suit and tie is your best option.
Coordinate your outfit with your date's.

Comments

buck said

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on 4/19/2008 coming to live in the states, i found that these gentlemen like to cocktail more with ties between their thies than the holes on the greens

buck said

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on 4/19/2008 cocktail parties more for the wiff, is a delightfull tie between the thy and not a hole in the stocking.-mother Flagship

EricM said

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on 9/10/2007 Khakis or dresss slacks are fine. It doesn't matter whether one is Black or White, Urban or Suburban, it is incumbent upon the wearer to make the clothing go. If you're a dork it won't matter how well you dress and if you've got a healthy self confiodence that is shown in your posture and conversation you can wear anything within reason. You will be viewed as a style setter. Coming up we had a philosophy. Your rap had to be "wall to wall and ten feet tall". You show up with that type of confidence you will be admired, khakis or not

lupowolf said

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on 10/1/2006 Khakis are Garanimals for adults. Never wear them to any function where you want to make a good impression. Dress like a grownup in dress pants. Again, khakis are _not_ dress pants.

Anonymous said

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on 7/18/2007 When a wedding invitation suggests cocktail attire, you need to consider the weather, the location (indoor or outdoor/urban or rural/fancy resort or western lodge) and the couple.