Black tie, formal, business, smart casual.. what do all these dress codes for men mean? We take a look at five of the more common mens dress codes and what they each consist of.

Black Tie

If you are attending a black tie event, you will usually be expected to wear a tuxedo jacket and trousers. To be more precise, here is a breakdown:

Jacket – A black dinner jacket, known as a tuxedo, that has satin lapels, buttons and pockets.

Trousers – Formal, pressed and either with or without a single row of satin fabric or braid on the outside of each leg. Fit wise they should be black, fitted and tapered.

Shirt – A white dress shirt with a turned-down collar to accommodate the bow tie (which should be black). The shirt should be double-cuffed. You will need cufflinks.

Tie – Must be a bow tie and usually black. That doesn’t mean that you can’t experiment with other colours but  white should be avoided. A white bow tie us only worn when the mens dress code specifies “white tie” (see below).

Waistcoat – Optional but has to match the jacket and cannot be worn at the same time as a cummerbund.

Shoes – Black patented leather work well and the ‘go to’ choice for black tie.

If you want something a little different to black, you can get away with a midnight blue.

When to Wear Black Tie

Black tie events usually include formal awards ceremonies, a grand wedding, a ball, perhaps a specific night on a cruise or a big celebration. You can be sure that if you stick to the dress code above, you won’t look out of place as everyone else will be dressed the same.

Smart Casual

This one can be a little tricky to get right. It’s a half way house between formal and casual. We take a look at this style of men’s dress code and what it entails:

Jacket – Preferably a blazer that combines well with a pair of chinos or jeans to produce a look that can be worn during the day when the dress code for men calls for this particular attire.

Trousers – Chinos, jeans, preferably darker in colour. No rips and a well fitting pair of jeans. It’s all about the overall look of the outfit and what you choose to pair the trousers with.

Roll neck jumper – If you don’t fancy wearing a shirt, a roll neck jumper is a good look to accentuate the overall sharpness of the outfit. One that compliments the colour of the blazer and offers a nice contrast perhaps?

Shoes – Loafers or Oxford shoes are the go to choice for shoes when putting together a smart casual outfit.

When to Wear Smart Casual

Usually a smart casual outfit is worn for an every day occasion. It could be an after work social event or an occasion where its social with a professional edge. Somewhere where you don’t need to dress to impress but you do need to portray a certain image.

White Tie

The most formal of our dress codes for men. While you may think black tie is a formal dress code, white tie is another level. It may be specified on your invite as full evening dress or dress suit which mean the same.

Jacket – Unlike the tuxedo jacket of black tie, for white tie the jacket must be evening tails. This is not to be confused with morning tails. It should be worn unbuttoned with peaked lapels.

Trousers – High waisted trousers are a must and they must have two lines of braid along the outside of the leg. Trousers should be well fitting and not baggy.

Shirt – A crisp white evening shirt can be pleated or plain and must have single cuffs and a winged collar. Cufflinks are required.

Waistcoat – A white tie dress code calls for a white waistcoat. This is a must! It should be low cut to show the white shirt and not sticking out beneath the jacket

Shoes – If in doubt, black patent leather shoes with black ribbons for laces are a safe bet. Black evening socks are the preferred choice however, plain black socks are acceptable.

Accessories – This is your chance to shine, or not! A top hat, white gloves and a dress cane are all optional. If you get the chance though, why wouldn’t you?

When to Wear White Tie

White tie is usually reserved for high society events. You would usually be in a room with royalty or at least those from high society. Of course, there are those that may want to create their own high society events for a chance to really dress up.

Semi-Formal/Business

Semi-formal business attire is similar to business casual. It is slightly less formal than cocktail attire.

Jacket – Opt for a blazer or a sports coat for a daytime event and a suit jacket for an evening event. Dark colours are a good choice.

Trousers – Dress pants that match the jacket are a wise choice. A two piece suit is the safest bet. The emphasis should land more towards the formal than the semi-formal.

Shirt – A button down dress shirt in the colour of your choice. Lighter colours are always a good choice. Avoid casual t-shirts and polo shirts.

Shoes – Loafers or Oxfords in darker colours are a safe bet but make sure the colour pairs with the colour of the suit.

Tie – Bow tie or tie – your choice however, don’t feel that you have to wear a tie – not if you don’t want to. Use the tie to reflect your personality if you feel constrained by the strict requirements for the rest of the outfit.

When to Wear Semi-Formal Business

Semi-formal events can either take place during the day or in the evening – your choice of outfit may depend on which is which. It’s a versatile look that lends itself to numerous occasions when a strict dress code is not implied. Think wedding, parties, dinner parties.. how much you dress it up will depend on the event you are attending.

Business Casual

Not to be confused with smart casual, business casual is a little more refined and the last in the series of our dress codes for men.

Jacket – avoid being too formal – sports jacket is the preferred choice. Avoid a suit jacket or blazer. A full suit is not a requirement for business casual.

Trousers – Dress slacks, corduroy trousers or chinos are all suitable for a business casual look. No jeans and no need for suit trousers.

Shirt – Choose a button down dress shirt which must be tucked in. You may even opt for a smart sweater over a collared shirt.

Shoes – Dress shoes such as loafer shoes are the preferred choice. No trainers or shoes that are too casual.

When to Wear Business Casual

You might choose to wear business casual if you work in a sales and marketing or other similar office/business environment as your day to day wear. It’s a more relaxed version of your usual smart business attire. If you are going for a job interview and worrying about being too formal, business casual can be a good choice, however, do your research first and check out the usual dress code for the environment. You may even ask prior to the interview what the dress code of the company it is. It certainly shows initiative.

If you have any questions about dress codes for men, or need to dress accordingly for an event or situation, we would be more than happy to advise. We have an extensive range of menswear to suit all eventualities and are happy to suggest the most appropriate attire. Get in touch to book an appointment.