mens fashion trends: Dressing For The Occasion: Cocktail Attire

Source: nonohot.com via Fashion Trend on Picseekers

Introduction

So you’ve received an invitation to a soiree stating ‘Cocktail Attire’ as the dress code. Cue puzzled expression and head-scratching.

Like many men, you’ve probably begun delving into the seldom seen depths of your wardrobe in a confused state with the hope of finding some magical solution to this rather ambiguous form of dress.

What exactly is ‘Cocktail Wear’ and how do you effectively execute this look?

Cocktail Wear

Firstly, let’s start by examining the occasions at which cocktail dress may be required. These occasions most commonly include (but are not limited to): weddings, anniversaries, christenings, certain sporting events, cocktail parties and formal birthday gatherings. In short, they’re events that require a little more refinement than the usual jeans and t-shirt combination.

Now we’ve cleared up the ‘where’ part, let’s look at ‘why’. What purpose does cocktail wear serve?

As the name suggests, cocktail wear emerged as a style of dress in the 1920s and 1930s for the hours between casual day wear and formal evening wear, when pre-dinner drinks and canapés were commonly served.

For the leisured classes between the wars, where the younger generation took a more relaxed attitude to alcohol consumption, ‘Cocktail Hour’ became a fashionable event. Pre-dinner cocktails were traditionally served from 6 p.m. and were important social occasions in smart London houses and hotels that required guests to be properly attired.

Too formal for day wear, yet too relaxed and too early for full black tie, cocktail attire emerged from the necessity for a semi-formal ‘between the hours’ dress code.

Taking into account today’s ever-increasing pace of life and relaxed sartorial standards, how should the modern man interpret the cocktail wear code?

The Key Components

1. Tailoring

The first and most vital component of cocktail wear is tailoring. The most common options are a dark tone or grey jacket and trousers. A textured grey wool-cashmere blend suit is always a safe bet, but opting for slightly brighter or unconventional shades (think olive green or burgundy) will give your outfit a contemporary edge.

For those of a more adventurous disposition, a subtle patterned suit can also work well. Try a dark windowpane check or a muted black watch plaid as a stylish alternative to solid tones.

It has also become acceptable to mix and match your jacket and trousers, but denim (even smart denim) is still frowned upon by purists and should be confined to casual weekend wear.

Always stick with a lean cut for your suit – it should follow the natural contours of your body comfortably.