Decoding men's dress codes: What to wear when the invitation gets specific

Cocktail. Smart casual. Blackness tie. Blackness necktieoptional? We've all been befuddled by the different apparel codes stated in invitations. While you may be tempted to become as yous please, dressing accordingly shows decorum and, more importantly, respect for the host.

As the year-terminate festive invitations start to roll in, we break down the dissimilar types of apparel code for y'all and then you can navigate your way through the complexity of dressing for the occasion.

Blackness Tie

Wool tuxedo jacket, cotton tuxedo shirt, wool trousers, satin bow necktie and satin cummerband, all by Dior Homme. (Photo: Aik Chen)

While white tie is the nearly formal (information technology consists of a black dress tailcoat worn over a white starched shirt, waistcoat and a white bow tie worn around a detachable collar), the black tie is the nigh common dress lawmaking for events such as award ceremonies, a prestigious brawl or a grand wedding.

Traditionally, a black tie tuxedo is in midnight blue, because the color looks darker as the lord's day sets and under bogus lighting. Today, black is favoured.

Just like whatsoever suit yous own, fit is everything for your tuxedo, from the shoulders to the length of the sleeves to the lapels. Unlike a traditional suit, the lapels of your dinner jacket should be in a different material such as silk or satin. Pick peaked lapels to accentuate the V-shape of your dinner jacket. The trousers should have a satin or silk ribbon strip running down, fit flawlessly and match the color of your jacket.

A blackness tie ensemble is non complete without a bow tie, and your formal black shoes should exist immaculate, especially for this special occasion.

Should you wear a cummerbund or a waistcoat? That's entirely upwards to y'all. Even so, if you're wearing a waistcoat, it should cover the band seams of your trousers. Exposing the top of your trousers or white shirt is a large no-no.

Sometimes, an invitation may state "black necktie optional". What this means is that the event is still a relatively formal i but guests have the choice of coming in a business suit if they choose to. In this case, opt for a dark suit with a nighttime tie and a pair of black shoes.

COCKTAIL

Cotton fiber-silk blazer, cotton-silk trousers and silk scarf, all by Hermes. Wool-blend turtleneck, past H&M. Silk pocket square, past Paul Smith. (Photograph: Aik Chen)

Cocktail essentially ways semi-formal or an outfit that will have you from boardroom to dinner. In this case, a suit or blazer-and-trousers combo is a safe bet. You can also add together a colourful pocket square or patterned socks for a touch of whimsy. Alternatively, bandy out your business shirt for a turtleneck sweater, printed shirt and polka dot pocket foursquare to stand up out in the crowd.

Non certain about prints? Then play with the textures of your fabric. Don't be afraid to mix and lucifer. Instead of blackness or brown formal shoes, you can even opt to go sockless with a pair of elegant loafers.

Business

Wool blazer and wool trousers, both by Lanvin. Cotton shirt and silk tie, both by Paul Smith. (Photo: Aik Chen)

When the clothes code calls for "business" or "businesswear", it only ways a matching single-breasted or double-breasted suit in a solid colour such every bit black, navy or grey. A plaid or pinstriped suit is acceptable also. While a necktie is encouraged, in our humid climate, you can cull to remove it if the situation allows it. Last but not to the lowest degree, pick a pair of blackness or brown shoes to consummate the outfit.

Business organisation CASUAL

Wool-blend blazer, wool-blend trousers and cotton wool corduroy shirt, all by H&M. Silk pocket square, by Paul Smith. Leather sneakers, by Hermes. (Photo: Aik Chen)

Just because the discussion "casual" appears on the invitation doesn't mean you can plow up in tattered jeans and a polo tee. The "concern coincidental" wearing apparel lawmaking yet requires a certain corporeality of propriety.

While the clothes code is less formal than business, it'due south always improve to be slightly overdressed than under. Wear a blazer with a pair of khaki pants or tailored trousers and put on a necktie for good mensurate.

If the party is less stuffy than you think, you can always remove the tie and/or blazer. Instead of blackness leather shoes, consider a pair of leather sneakers in a sombre hue.

Photography past Aik Chen, styling past Damian Huang, grooming by Lin Hongling, model Benjamin Yu from AVE.

READ: Vi stylish timepieces for the corporate warrior​​​​​​​

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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/style/men-dress-code-what-to-wear-black-tie-cocktail-smart-casual-220451