What to wear to a cocktail party
For a cocktail party, men should wear a tailored suit or a sport coat with dress trousers, a dress shirt and leather shoes. A tie suits dressier or evening parties, and a cocktail party is a good place for a little personality.
The outfit
Example photo: Alfredo Dacosta / PexelsNavy suit, red tie
- JacketNavy suit
- TrousersMatching navy trousers
- ShirtWhite dress shirt
- NeckwearRed or burgundy silk tie
- ShoesBlack oxfords
- ExtrasRed or white pocket square
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Tips
- Navy, charcoal and grey suits are safe. A cocktail party also suits bolder choices, like a patterned tie, a velvet jacket in winter or a lighter suit in summer.
- Go darker after 6pm, and lighter at daytime or outdoor parties.
- Accessories are where you can have fun: a pocket square, a good watch, cufflinks. Pick one statement and keep the rest simple.
- Skip sneakers, short-sleeve dress shirts and anything you’d wear to the gym.
If the invite names a dress code
Cocktail attire
Cocktail attire for men means a tailored suit in navy, charcoal or grey, a dress shirt, a tie and leather dress shoes. It sits between business casual and black tie: dressier than the office, but no tuxedo.
Semi-formal
Semi-formal for men means a suit, or a sport coat with dress trousers, plus a collared dress shirt and leather shoes. The tie is optional, and a tuxedo is too much.
Festive attire
Festive attire for men means cocktail-level dressing with a seasonal touch: a dark suit or blazer with one festive element, like a velvet jacket, a burgundy or green tie, or a patterned pocket square.
Smart casual
Smart casual for men means a jacket without a tie: a blazer or sport coat, a collared shirt or fine knit, chinos or wool trousers, and leather shoes or clean minimal sneakers.
Common questions
Do I need a tie for a cocktail party?
Not always. A tie is safer for a dressy or work-related party; an open collar with a suit works at many social ones.
Can I wear a sport coat to a cocktail party?
Yes. A sport coat with dress trousers and a shirt, with or without a tie, is right for most cocktail parties.
Is a cocktail party the same as cocktail attire at a wedding?
Same dress code, different stakes. At a party you can be bolder; at a wedding, wear a tie and avoid upstaging the couple.
Have the invite?
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