Cocktail Attire DOs & DON'Ts for Women & Men
Cocktail attire is more relevant than ever - especially now, after two years of quarantining at home, nestled in head-to-toe fleece.
Current fashion trends blend casual and formality, from one extreme of anything-goes to another of 20s-like glitzy styles and black-tie suits.
Cocktail attire sits right in the middle, showcasing a unique style between casual and formal occasions, with plenty of room for a personal touch.
In this article, I'll detail the ideal cocktail attire for women and men and what you need to look the best at your next "cocktail dress-code event."
Cocktail Attire FAQs
What is acceptable for cocktail attire?
Best cocktail attire for women avoid extremes; knee-length dresses over maxi and mini dresses, pump shoes instead of stilettos, and baguette bags over backpacks.
Similarly, men should strive to achieve a middle ground between casual wear and office style.
What is the cocktail dress code for ladies?
Cocktail attire for ladies describes outfits designed to wear at evening parties and similar semi-formal events.
Ladies' most common cocktail dress code comprises a knee-height dress, medium heel shoes, and a hand purse in matching color.
What does cocktail attire mean for a man?
Cocktail attire for men means wearing a specific dress code: a relaxed suit without a front pocket (or jacket), a shirt, leather shoes, and a tie (never a bow tie).
Avoid sneakers and jeans - regardless of color.
Does cocktail attire mean a suit?
Cocktail attire does not mean a suit but rather the whole outfit ensemble for a particular type of evening event.
As such, a suit can be part of your cocktail attire, together with leather shoes, a shirt, belt, and tie - see the article above on how to put together the best cocktail attire for men.
Conclusion
What’s certain is that cocktail attire is occasion wear reserved for special events and one-off evenings that require further distinction.