Save for the “doctor is ready now,” do any four words inspire more trepidation—and less excitement—than “cocktail attire for men”? (We’re exaggerating, but only a little.)
Dress codes are a bit like taxes: intimidating, esoteric, and ultimately inescapable. Unlike filling out a 1040 form, however, dressing up for a formal or semi-formal event can actually be a lot of fun once you get into it, provided you know who to ask for advice. While getting decked out for a black-tie event can be relatively simple (buy it or rent it, you’ll never go wrong with a well-tailored black tux) the “cocktail” dress code is an altogether more intimidating proposition, requiring more interpretation and finesse.
Since it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be called upon to put together a cocktail ensemble of your own, here’s everything you need to know according to some of the most knowledgeable guys in our rolodex.
