A Guide To Social Dress Codes For Men: Business, Formal, Optional (2024)

When we hear the phrase “dress code” we're most likely to associate it with workplace rules.

Lots of jobs still have written guidelines for employee attire – with varying degrees of strictness.

Much rarer are dress codes for social events.

These written requests for attendee attire are usually only one or two words long, printed on an invitation and meant to be understood by all guests.

Unfortunately – universal understanding of social dress codes is going the way of cursive handwriting.

It has an old-fashioned appeal to some people but most of us don't bother with it anymore.

So if you've been invited to an event with a dress code – or you're planning an event and you want to request a specific sort of attire from your guests – look no further!

Formal Dress Code For Men: White Tie

The phrase “formal attire” is misunderstood in modern society.

Formal attire does not mean suits and ties!

It is a substantially higher dress code – requiring clothes that most men don't own.

If you request formal attire on aninvitation (and you don't belong to an extremely wealthy and upper class set),understand that you're probably asking the majority of your guests to go throughthe rental process.

Formal wear for men changes depending on the time of day. In daylight hours, it means morning dress with a tailcoat and vest, while at night it means “White Tie”.

Both of these are extremely strict dress codes.

It would be unusual (and a bitpresumptuous) to request full formal attire for a personal event.

Most White Tie affairs are diplomatic events or high-formality award ceremonies (and the occasional British sporting event).

Unless you're a high society heir or heiress throwing a bash at a New York hotel, White Tie is probably too strict for your wedding or birthday party.

Semi-Formal Dress Code For Men: Black Tie

Don't let the diminutive phrasing fool you – semi-formal attire is still the strictest dress code most of us will wear in our lives.

Like formal wear, semi-formal attire changes based on time of day.

In the evening, it is the familiar Black Tie (Tuxedo) ensemble while in the daytime, the “Stroller” (a relaxed alternative to morning dress) is appropriate.

Most modern guests will not be aware of the distinction.

Tuxedos at daytime events are a common occurrence nowadays.

If you, as the host or hostess, wish men to come attired in strollers, it may be worth your while to state this explicitly. Add a phrase such as “Daytime Semi-Formal (Strollers For Men)” in the “Attire” or “Dress Code” section of your invitation.

Some men own their own Tuxedosbut for the most part this is another dress code that will force attendees to rent attire.

Use this request sparingly and only for events of great significance like weddings.

It would be very unusual for anyone outside of the jet-set to throw more than one or two semi-formal events in his or her lifetime!

If you receive a semi-formal invitation, give yourself plenty of time for the rental process.

Expect it to take several weeks from your first fitting and outfit selection for the clothes to arrive and be adjusted.

Be firm with the sales staff and make it clear that you are only interested in true black tie (or daytime semi-formal) attire.

These days, most of the offerings at rental outlets are cartoon-colored costumes for high school proms. This is not real formal and semi-formal wear.

Business Dress Code For Men

A “business” or “business dress” code means one thing for men: matched suits.

If an invitation has specifically requested business attire, it's best to err on theside of formality and wear a dark, solid-colored or pinstriped suit.

Pair it with awhite dress shirt, a conservative tie, and black leather oxfords, and you're – no pun intended – in business.

There is a certain amount of leeway at social events – particularly daytime ones – so a lighter gray suit or a dark brown one are acceptable.

For themost part, though, “business dress” means the more formal end of men's suits.

If, on the other hand, the invitation simply says “suits and ties for men”, “casual suits” with lighter colors or more vivid patterns are acceptable.

Strictly speaking, this isn't a dress code. But it is a request you will see from time to time on invitations – particularly to dressed-up but light-hearted affairs like brunches and church outings. This is also what men should wear to court and other formal situations.

Men's Business Casual Or Dress Casual

There are a number of variations on this phrase and they all mean the same thing.

For men, jackets are still preferred (but not required – and not as part of a matched suit).

The most conventional dress casual outfit for a man is a navy blue blazer with lightto medium gray slacks or khakis. (This is such a common dressed-down alternative to full business attire that it's sometimes called “the California suit.”)

If the word “casual” is on the invitation, a fair amount of flexibility is permitted.

Blazers or sports jackets are the dressiest look within the code. Sweaters or dress shirts without a top layer are more dressed-down.

In general, you're better off showing up with a jacket and tie and then stripping one or both off if you find yourself too overdressed.

It's easy to dress a blazer or sports jacket and slacks down but hard to dress a plain shirt up.

At the bare minimum, a “business casual” invitation still requires slacks or khakis (not jeans) and a collared shirt.

You'll also need leather dress shoes and socks to match the trousers.

Casual Dress

A “casual attire” invitation is mostly open-ended but there is still the expectation of dressing up for a social event.

The concept of casual dress has evolved beyond mere comfort, becoming a social dress code that strikes a balance between relaxed elegance and personal expression.

Navigating this style territory offers men the freedom to blend comfort with fashion, creating a look that is effortlessly cool and adaptable to various social settings.

Casual dress for men revolves around wardrobe staples that exude an easygoing vibe. Think well-fitted jeans, chinos, and versatile T-shirts or button-down shirts. These basics form the foundation of a casual ensemble, allowing you to mix and match effortlessly.

Opt for casual footwear choices that complement the laid-back aesthetic. Sneakers, loafers, or stylish boots can effortlessly complete your casual look, adding a touch of personality to your overall style.

Layering is a key technique in mastering casual style. Experiment with lightweight jackets, cardigans, or stylish hoodies to add depth and interest to your outfit. This not only keeps you comfortable in changing temperatures but also adds a touch of sophistication to your look.

Casual doesn't mean neglecting accessories. Thoughtful additions like a stylish watch, a leather bracelet, or a classic pair of sunglasses can elevate your look without sacrificing the laid-back vibe.

By curating a wardrobe that balances simplicity with flair, and paying attention to details like footwear and accessories, you can effortlessly navigate the social dress code of casual attire, presenting a look that is both relaxed and refined.

Neckties are definitely not needed, but a casual jacketcould still be worn.

Similarly, jeans are acceptable if the invitation says “casual”.

Remember, they should be dark, fitted jeans – not plain work jeans or anything with rips and tears.

Leather shoes and collared shirts are still preferable.

The “casual” code tells you that the hosts aren't putting any stock in formality.

They want it to be a relaxed event where guests can be themselves.

All well and good – but you should still look like you made an effort! It's just polite.

Understanding “Optional” Dress Codes

Occasionally dress codes will come with the word “optional” attached.

The term “optional” in dress codes often signifies a spectrum, granting attendees flexibility while encouraging a certain level of formality. Striking the right balance is key.

For men, this might mean a choice between a well-fitted blazer or a stylish sweater paired with tailored trousers.

The key is to gauge the event's tone—leaning towards more formal attire for professional settings and embracing a smart-casual vibe for social occasions.

“Optional” dress codes offer a chance to express individual style within the bounds of event appropriateness.

This is mostly done at the higher levels of formality, i.e. “black tie optional.”

What that means is that the hosts are planning on wearing the listed code.

This encourages guests to do likewise if they wish.

It's a way of dressing the event up without requiring that every single attendee meet a high standard that might require rental clothing or expensive purchases.

With an optional dress code, it is of course always appropriate to meet the listed code. (But don't exceed it – you wouldn't wear white tie to a “black tie optional” event.)

Alternatively, you can wear a close approximation at a slightly lower level offormality.

For example, if the event is “black tie optional” and you don't want to renta tuxedo, you can instead wear a dark business suit with a plain white shirt and a very reserved necktie.

This gives the same general impression of severe formality as a tuxedo, but without the need for exotic attire.

A slight variation is the “preferred” dress code: like “optional”.

This leaves it up to the guests but with the indication that the hosts would like guests to dress to the maximum standard if at all possible.

“Preferred” leaves a graceful out for guests who absolutely can't meet the dress code.

“Optional” leaves it up to their tastes and preferences entirely.

These are good codes for hosts to use when they're indulging in a very dressed-up appearance but want to make the event more accessible to friends and relatives.

Invitations Without Dress Codes

So what do you do if you receive an invitation that doesn't list a dress code?

The simplest suggestion is always to ask the hosts. Don't be embarrassed, especiallyin this modern world of e-mails and text messages, to shoot the host with whom youare most familiar a short note saying “how dressed up do you want people at theevent?”

If you don't feel comfortable doing that, ask around among other attendees.

And if you truly have no one you can ask, consider the time and setting.

Evening attire should generally be darker and simpler than daytime. Outdoor settings are more casual than indoor, and so on.

Always err on the side of being a bit overdressed.

As we've said before, it's very easy to take off a necktie or shed a jacket and become less formal, but if you only showed up with a shirt and slacks there's no way for you to become dressier.

Finally, in rare cases you may run into an invitation where the listed dress code doesn't seem accurate.

For example, I was once invited to a wedding that requested a “formal” dress code.

I knew from speaking with the groom that he was only wearing a business suit.

Since the hosts will always be wearing the most formal interpretation of the event's dress code, I knew that meant they only wanted nice-looking suits, not true formal wear.

It's a bit of an awkward situation.

In a case like that you should dress to match your hosts, rather than adhering to the written instructions and drawing attention to their error.

Don't even mention it to them – once the invitations are sent, there's nothing they can do about it anyway!

And there you have it.

Understanding the nuances of dressing for various occasions isn't just about following rules; it's about wielding the power to make a lasting impression. Different dress codes serve as cues, guiding us to align our attire with the event's tone and formality.

The ability to decode these signals grants us the freedom to express ourselves appropriately while respecting the context. Whether it's donning formal attire for a professional setting, embracing smart-casual for a social gathering, or navigating the elusive “optional” dress code, mastering these distinctions empowers us to make style choices that resonate.

It's not just about looking good; it's about communicating confidence, cultural awareness, and an understanding of the unspoken language of fashion in diverse social landscapes.

In a world where first impressions matter, knowing how to dress for different dress codes becomes a skill that transcends mere fashion—it becomes a form of eloquent self-expression.

That's all you need to know about dressing to meet social dress codes as a man. Easy, wasn't it?

Check out this research on How Formal Clothing Affects Chances In Negotiation.

Click below to watch the video – A Guide To Social Dress Codes For Men