Over the last few years the party dress codes of 'black tie', 'lounge suit' or 'smart casual' have been joined by 'cocktail attire'. If you Google the term you'll find that it's interpreted very widely. I've seen features on cocktail attire illustrated with everything from black tie, through lounge suits to smart casual, showing how unclear the code is. Here is my own interpretation of the dress code.
"...a code that allows for sophisticated creativity while remaining essentially formal"
The answer to the question 'what is cocktail attire?' is to see what isn't covered by the common existing dress codes, namely black tie, lounge suit, smart casual and casual. Cocktail comes just under black tie in terms of formality, is more creative than lounge suit and more dapper than smart casual.
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| Ideas for Cocktail Attire Dress Code for Summer and Winter |
A sophisticated look
With cocktail attire you're looking for a sophisticated look; nothing scruffy. Essential elements are: sharp tailoring, crisp shirt or thin knitted roll neck or other fine cashmere and good quality shoes (loafers, monks, oxfords - black or dark brown).
For jackets; velvet is very dapper (perhaps as a smoking jacket), corduroy might work as a midnight blue well-tailored jacket worn with a crisp white shirt and knitted burgundy silk tie. A blazer is central to many a cocktail outfit and would work well with a tailored denim shirt.
I might wear a tie - although a well-cut shirt with collar undone with a jacket will work as long as the effect isn't too casual. I'd avoid bow ties.
Trousers are best tailored and may be dark-coloured, tartan, check or be borrowed from your evening suit; lighter colours would suit a summer cocktail party. Turn-ups (cuffs) are generally considered too informal for black tie evening suits but I'd happily wear them as part of cocktail attire.
Trousers are best tailored and may be dark-coloured, tartan, check or be borrowed from your evening suit; lighter colours would suit a summer cocktail party. Turn-ups (cuffs) are generally considered too informal for black tie evening suits but I'd happily wear them as part of cocktail attire.
No jeans, no trainers, no chunky country shoes and certainly no ties at half mast: either wear one properly or not at all. I'd personally avoid tweeds or tan shoes; these are just too country or daywear for a semi-formal look, but they could work for some if dapper enough.
Colour
Cocktail allows creativity. Experiment with colour, remembering that the key is sophisticated formality. If you wear a dark suit, spice it up with a silk waistcoat or coloured shirt. Avoid overall black; cocktail is about celebration and you have the freedom to move away from monochrome. Rich midnight blues, velvet bottle greens and soft ochres give a sophisticated edge that bright primary colours lack, although these may suit a summer event.
In general too busy a pattern may lack the sophistication needed for cocktail, having said that I include a Fair Isle V-neck paired with a tie and a Bode short sleeved shirt for a summer event in the images here, so see what you think. Almost anything by way of a sophisticated patterned shirt or fine jersey will do when paired with crisp tailoring and good quality footwear.
Accessories
A smart vintage watch (leave the chunky diver or pilot's chronograph at home), cufflinks, pocket square, a discreet boutonnière, minimalist silk tie and perhaps a silk evening scarf will all add to the overall impression.
In summary: for 'Cocktail Attire' don't get too formal by straying into black tie but conversely don't stray too far into untailored casual wear.
Accessories
A smart vintage watch (leave the chunky diver or pilot's chronograph at home), cufflinks, pocket square, a discreet boutonnière, minimalist silk tie and perhaps a silk evening scarf will all add to the overall impression.
In summary: for 'Cocktail Attire' don't get too formal by straying into black tie but conversely don't stray too far into untailored casual wear.
