What is black and white cocktail attire? A Black and White event calls for formal attire in black, white, or blended (black-and-white) color. All guests adhere to this guideline. Men sport proper suits or tuxedos, dress shirts, straight or bow ties and black leather shoes. Women wear gowns, evening dresses, cocktail dresses or elegant separates.
Full Answer
What does cocktail attire really mean?
Cocktail attire is a standard dress code for parties and evening functions. For women, cocktail attire typically calls for a dress that finishes at or above the knees and high heels. Although cocktail looks should always appear sophisticated, they can also be fun and embrace exciting colors, embellishments, cuts, and unique accessories.
What to wear to a cocktail event?
Your Guide to Perfectly Executed Holiday Cocktail Attire
- 1 Pay attention to the information you're given. ...
- 2 V-neck tinsel midi slip dress. ...
- 3 Insta-Worthy. ...
- 4 Keep the host in mind. ...
- 5 Dress appropriately for the season. ...
- 6 Marwa ruffled polka-dot tulle midi dress. ...
- 7 Back to Black. ...
- 8 Don't Fear Some Bling. ...
- 9 Crystal Fringe Earrings. ...
- 10 Skip extreme hemlines—in either direction. ...
What does cocktail attire dress code mean?
The basics of cocktail dressing for women
- Lean towards bold colours, patterns and fabrics. Instead of the classic little black dress, why not change it up with some sequins or silk? ...
- Find balance in a midi dress. ...
- Be different with a pantsuit. ...
- Be daring with a crop top and high-waisted skirt or trousers. ...
- Your shoe choice is important. ...
- Always opt for a clutch. ...
- Stand out with an accessory. ...
What shoes to wear with a black cocktail dress?
- INC International Concepts (2)
- Jessica Simpson (4)
- Nine West (39)
- Steve Madden (3)
- Adrienne Vittadini (4)
- ALL BLACK (1)
- Anne Klein (1)
- Badgley Mischka (2)
- Bandolino (5)
- BCBGeneration (1)
What does black and white attire means?
A black and white affair is typically a more formal event, so an evening gown or a formal suit would be in order. Look for other hints on the invitation, such as "tie optional." Parties after dark are usually more formal than those that begin in the afternoon.Oct 6, 2019
What is black and white cocktail attire men?
A party invitation with a cocktail attire dress code for men usually means that you should wear a suit with a shirt, dress shoes and a tie or bow tie.Aug 13, 2020
What does it mean when it says cocktail attire?
Cocktail attire is a balance between formal and casual and elegant and comfortable. To an event with this dress code, such as a wedding, men typically wear a suit and tie while women wear a cocktail dress. “Cocktail attire is meant to bridge the gap between day and night,” explains bridal consultant LauraLee Baird.Jan 20, 2022
What is the difference between black-tie and cocktail attire?
Traditionally, 'cocktail' dresses should be knee-length for women, but they've been creeping up the last few years. For men, a lounge suit or jacket and chinos is acceptable and a tie is optional. 'Black tie' these days means formal dressing, and a less flexible code when it comes to interpretation.Aug 21, 2019
What should a man wear to a cocktail party?
If the Invitation Asks for Cocktail Attire, Men Should Wear:A dark to mid-gray suit.A button-down dress shirt in white or another muted color.A necktie or bow tie in subtle patterns or plains.A simple pocket square.Black dress shoes with a leather sole, such as oxfords.More items...•Dec 21, 2018
What's the difference between cocktail and semi-formal?
Cocktail. A small step above semiformal though not as formal as black-tie optional or formal, cocktail attire is a popular dress code choice. It's a balance between elegant and comfortable, and typically is more formal than a day wedding but more casual than a night celebration.Feb 4, 2022
What does a 60 year old woman wear to cocktail party?
A cocktail dress is probably what you need. Cocktail dresses are dresses that are dressy yet not too extravagant. They are also sometimes called tea dresses or party dresses. Typically, a cocktail dress will be knee-length or mid-calf.
Are jeans OK for cocktail attire?
Don't wear jeans. Denim is never, ever, under any circumstances appropriate for a cocktail party. A pair of tried and true black, blue, or grey slacks will serve you just fine, so invest in two pairs you love; one pair in a heavier fabric for winter and one in something lighter in both weight and color for warmer days.
Can a woman wear pants to a cocktail party?
Formal midi dresses offer the perfect length and look for a formal cocktail event. Women can indeed wear the right trousers to a cocktail attire event.
What does Black tie optional mean for a woman?
What Is Black-Tie Optional Attire? Black-tie optional is a signal that the couple wants guests to dress up but doesn't want to require ultra-fancy attire. For women, this generally means a full-length silhouette. For men, a tux isn't required but welcomed.Oct 6, 2020
Is it OK to wear black to a wedding?
“Always avoid wearing anything that's too low cut, too short, or too tight,” advises Swann. And while black dresses and gowns are perfectly acceptable for most formal weddings, you might want to consider another hue if you've been invited to noontime nuptials or a casual, seaside ceremony.Jul 19, 2021
What is black tie dress code?
Black tie is a dress code that requires men to wear a dinner jacket with matching trousers, a pleated white shirt, black formal shoes, and a bow tie. Optionally, men can also wear a cummerbund or a waistcoat.Jan 7, 2022
Dress Etiquette
A Black and White event calls for formal attire in black, white, or blended (black-and-white) color. All guests adhere to this guideline. The varied styles of dress at a Black and White occasion offer some diversity.
Black Tie and White Tie Customs
Black Tie and White Tie customs are based in Victorian tradition. White Tie refers to “full dress,” as is reserved for participants in formal receptions or ceremonial processions. For example, the father of the bride or debutante, distinguished guests of honor and hosts of diplomatic officials wear White Tie.
Dernier Cri
The dernier cri in Black and White attire is contemporary style. For red carpet events, charity dinners and cocktail parties especially, formal dress is flexible. Men may wear dress shirts with no tie, provided that they have a jacket. Colored accessories add a dash of style and personality. Women wear dresses or gowns in modern designs.
Cocktail Attire Definition
On a spectrum of dress codes, there’s a formal end (think full tuxedos and lots of rules), and a casual end (ties optional and little context). For men, cocktail attire sits right in the middle of the pack.
Cocktail Attire Ideas for Weddings
As a wedding guest you should look good, but not too good. For example, aggressive colors, a Magic Eye mishmash of patterns, or an overconfident style choice may throw off the vibe or pull focus from someone else’s big day. While you can still be yourself, you need to pick your battles.
Special Event Cocktail Attire for Men
For a special event, you’ll need to feel out whether the event leans toward a modern, fashionable vibe, or a traditional cocktail attire tone (work event, etc.). If traditional, follow the guidelines laid out above for weddings with minor adjustments.
The perfect look, delivered to you
If you’re like most people, you have one suit you’ve worn to every wedding or party in the past five years. It’s practically a uniform at this point. But half the fun of men’s cocktail attire is changing it up, showing a new side of yourself, and doing something unexpected.
What is Cocktail Attire for Men?
Male cocktail attire needn’t be over-complicated. For starters, don’t get too hung up on the ‘cocktail’ part, whereas cocktail attire has little to do with happy hour drinks after work. Instead, cocktail attire for men is what you wear to weddings, formal sporting events, and adult celebrations.
Winter Vs Summer Cocktail Attire
Summer cocktail attire shouldn’t differ dramatically – in most cases – from winter cocktail attire at occasions or events such as a wedding. Destination weddings on a beach, with a specified less formal dress code, would be an obvious exception.
History of the Cocktail Dress Code
The Prohibition might have run from 1920 to 1933 in the USA, but someone apparently forgot to tell all the wealthy people. More to the point, alcohol was flowing liberally among the well-heeled folks of America and other first world countries back in the 1920s and 30s, so much so that they even began enjoying a boozy beverage or two before dinner.
What is men's cocktail attire?
Cocktail attire is more casual than Formal attire, yet more dressed-up than Smart Casual.
Do I need to wear a suit to a cocktail party?
Cocktail attire doesn't always require a suit, but a blazer is necessary.
Does cocktail attire require a tie?
Modern Cocktail attire does not always require a tie, though it is still considered acceptable to wear one.
What is 'Cocktail' dress code?
Cocktail attire is dressed-up and is open to colour and accessories, without going as far as Formal.
What Is Cocktail Attire For Men?
Cocktail attire for men takes on various forms, but the easiest way to think of it is to treat it as the “optional” portion of the black tie optional dress code. To be more specific, it’s typically safe to opt for a dark suit, light shirt, rich tie, a pocket square, and dark, well-shined shoes.
Do I Need A Suit For Cocktail Attire?
You don’t technically have to wear a suit for cocktail attire, but you’ll look best in one. You can opt for an odd jacket and trousers combination. For instance, a blue sport coat and medium grey trousers with a light blue shirt, burgundy tie, and dark brown shoes would work well.
Jacket & Trousers For Cocktail Attire
Casual/daytime: Light-to-medium grey or medium blue matching jacket and trousers or an odd combination thereof
What Shirts To Wear For Cocktail Attire
During the day or for a more casual event, you can wear white, ecru, or pastel colors such as pink, lavender, or yellow if your skin tone is sympathetic to it. Play around with a bit of pattern in your dress shirts too if you like. Any cuff style will do for casual cocktail attire.
Best Shoes For Cocktail Attire
No matter what time of day, you need to wear dress shoes for cocktail attire. For a list of our preferred shoe styles, take a look at our shoe style guide.
When To Wear Cocktail Attire
If you were invited to an event or celebration, then there may be a dress code included on the invitation. Obviously, if the invitation states “cocktail attire,” then you should abide by the invitation.
What Next?
Now that you’re familiar with cocktail attire, how well-versed are you with the other dress codes than men tend to find themselves dressing for? Take a look at our guide to dress codes and some related content:
Cocktail Attire: A Definition
As the name suggests, cocktail attire is what you’ll typically see at parties where the expectation is to look classy. (The name “beer attire” would have a slightly different connotation, we think!)
When to Dress in Cocktail Attire
Cocktail attire shows that you put in the effort to look nice for an event, but falls short of looking overdressed, so it works well for many occasions. Good times to wear cocktail attire include:
