Of all the dress code names, cocktail attire is possibly the most confusing, with zero context on how to dress for these events. We can fill in the blanks with a cocktail attire definition that's easy to understand, and men’s cocktail attire ideas and outfit suggestions for every important event. Read on and you'll be wearing the right suit in no time.
ⓘ This is part III of our dress codes guide. Learn about more dress codes ➝
Table of Contents
Cocktail Attire Definition
Cocktail Attire Ideas for Weddings
Special Event Cocktail Attire for Men
Unique Men's Cocktail Attire Looks
Cocktail Attire Definition
On a spectrum of dress codes, there’s a formal end (full tuxedos and lots of rules), and a casual end (ties optional and little context). For men, cocktail attire sits right in the middle of the pack. Choosing a cocktail attire outfit will require some decision-making on your part, but that's good—bring your own style and personality to it.
Men’s cocktail attire can be simple, or you can take it to the next level with thoughtful colors or patterns. Either way, you’ll always need the following items:
✓ Dark Suit
✓ Dress Shirt
✓ Neckwear (necktie or bow tie)
✓ Dress Shoes (lace-up or loafer)
If you don't have time to read on, the look below has you covered. Or shop our full collection of men's cocktail attire.
Shop the Look: Grey Suit, White Dress Shirt, Navy Stripe Necktie, White Linen Pocket Square, Black Leather Shoes
Cocktail Attire Ideas for Weddings
As a wedding guest you should look good, but not too good. For example, aggressive colors, a Magic Eye mishmash of patterns, or an big style swing may throw off the vibe or pull focus from someone else’s big day. While you can and should be yourself, pick your battles. Luckily, men's cocktail attire provides plenty of opportunities showcase your taste.
✓ Dark Suit
Suit colors like charcoal and navy are perfect choices for a conservative cocktail attire look. These low-key classics make it unlikely you'll step on anyone's toes or steal thunder as a guest, and any shirt or tie looks great with these staples.
Shop the Look: Charcoal Suit
✓ Dress Shirt
Wedding parties are often coordinated with white dress shirts, so a solid light pink or light blue shirt works well for any wedding guest.
✓ Neckwear
Once you've nailed the basics, you're free to spice it up. Making your tie the star of the show can be as simple as picking the right fabric pattern or texture. Choosing a colorful tie is also an option, but keep in mind that wedding parties often wear a solid-color necktie in one of the wedding colors.
✓ Dress Shoes
You can't go wrong with a simple leather lace-up in a rich brown or basic black. If you're suiting up for a summer wedding or an event on a hot fall day, socks are optional. Going sockless is on the casual end of cocktail attire for men, so cover those ankles if there's any doubt.
Shop the Look: Brown Leather Shoes
+ Pocket Square
Why add a pocket square to an already solid men's cocktail attire look? Because slipping a square into your jacket is an easy way to drop a creamy dreamy dollop of white fabric into the mix.
Shop the Look: Black Quad Pocket Square, Linen Shoestring Pocket Square
Special Event Cocktail Attire for Men
For a special event, you’ll need to feel out whether the event leans toward a modern, fashionable vibe, or a traditional cocktail attire tone (work event, etc.). If traditional, follow the guidelines laid out above for weddings with minor adjustments. For example, don't limit yourself to the conservative options like white pocket squares or classic suits.
✓ Dark Suit
A grey suit isn't flashy, but the neutral color will help your accessories to stand out. It's extremely versatile, and also more traditional. If you prefer a colorful, modern base for your outfit, try a rich blue suit—just a shade lighter than the darker navy.
Shop the Look: Blue Suit
✓ Dress Shirt
If you the event leans traditional, a white dress shirt will serve you well, especially with patterned neckwear. Otherwise, a solid or patterned blue dress shirt will complement just about any tie or pocket square.
✓ Neckwear
Unique textures (knit silk, linen, and seersucker, for example) and patterns are well suited to men's cocktail attire, especially for less formal events. If the spirit moves you, use the color wheel to throw some curves.
Shop the Look: Wine Pindot Necktie
✓ Shoes
How do you make traditional black or brown shoes more visually interesting? Much like your neckwear, you can simply choose a pair with a little texture. These wood sole and suede examples both work well with the grey and blue suits mentioned above.
+ Pocket Square
Both of the suits we recommend would look great with a pop of yellow, or paired with the bold print of our banana leaf pocket square.
Shop the Look: Banana Leaf Pocket Square
Unique Men's Cocktail Attire
Be honest: does this invite feel like a frivolous excuse to gather and look incredible? If yes, you'll need something extra, be it oomph, chutzpah, drip, etc. That could mean a vibrant suit color or an interesting pair of shoes—a loafer, perhaps. Show up in cocktail attire men will attempt to emulate at the next party.
✓ Bold Suit
We've established this is the right moment to make a bold choice, and a rose shawl suit is nothing if not bold. Looking for something a bit more subtle? Proportion and unexpected details can embolden your look, like the lapels, flap pockets, and closure of this double-breasted linen suit.
Shop the Look: Ink Blue Double-Breasted Linen Suit
✓ Dress Shirt
Keep your shirt simple and give your suit the visual space to make a statement. For a seamless look, our seemingly buttonless fly-front shirt is elegant and modern. As a bonus, you won't need cufflinks, as this shirt comes adorned with black silk knots. Or, stick with a classic white dress shirt.
Shop the Look: Fly-Front Dress Shirt
✓ Neckwear
To make things very simple, skip the tie altogether. Or look to a subdued earth tone, or muted patterns.
Shop the Look: Terracotta Necktie
✓ Dress Shoes
Celebrations mean dancing, so consider some of the most boogie-ready shoes out there: loafers. Velvet loafers are especially appealing in colder months owing to their season-specific fabric, while suede (pictured above) are an excellent spring and summer option.
Shop the Look: Velvet Loafer
✓ Pocket Square
This is one of the rare occasions in which you must add a pocket square to your look. There is no choice. Reach for a funky print, or find a pocket square that creates a monochromatic palette with your cocktail attire outfit.
The perfect look, delivered to you.
If you're like most people, you have one suit you've worn to every wedding or party in the past five years. It's practically a uniform at this point. But half the fun of men's cocktail attire is changing it up, showing a new side of yourself, and doing something unexpected.
On the other hand, it's not necessarily practical to have more than a few unique suits in the stable. Still, you need to find a way to stand out.
Renting hasn't always delivered, but that's all in the past. We've created a better, more fashionable way to rent a suit. And yes, we deliver. (Owning it more your style? We do that, too.)
ⓘ This is part III of our dress codes guide. Learn about more dress codes ➝
