Men's cocktail attire. HELP!

[Antinor01]

I have a work function that is being held out of town the end of next week. One of the events is an evening dinner/awards presentation and the invitation says to wear cocktail attire. There will be everyone from my level on up through senior management attending.

My dilemma is that I'm completely confused on what constitutes cocktail attire for men. I've seen recommendations for everything from a sports jacket to a black suit. Any thoughts?

[kenobi 65]

Based on these etiquette sites, sounds like "suit and tie", or at least "coat and tie":
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31667.asp
http://www.greatestlook.com/dresscode3.html

The second one suggests that a more formal setting would be more of a call for a suit, and that sounds like the deal in this case.

[Antinor01]

Great, this probably means going shopping. I haven't needed to wear something like that for a while and I'm not sure I have anything that fits in my closet. Ah well.

[kenobi 65]

Hey, at least you've got a week+ to buy a suit and have alterations done.

[Antinor01]

Originally Posted by kenobi 65

Hey, at least you've got a week+ to buy a suit and have alterations done.

Yea, the sucky part is that I'm working on losing 25-30 pounds so it won't fit anymore in a few months. (with any luck)

Plus side is this a an opportunity to schmooze and gain support for our new pilot project department. I just have to look at this as an investment in my future.

[kenobi 65]

Originally Posted by Antinor01

Yea, the sucky part is that I'm working on losing 25-30 pounds so it won't fit anymore in a few months. (with any luck)

Might want to let them know that. I'm no tailor, but that knowledge might have an effect on what kind of suit they sell you, or how they alter it.

[dalej42]

I'd say, "Get out of the wet suit and into a dry martini!"



To me, I'd say it means wear something nice, but not your typical business suit.

[kenobi 65]

Originally Posted by dalej42

To me, I'd say it means wear something nice, but not your typical business suit.

Based on what those etiquette sites say, it's, at a minimum, a blazer and slacks. If it's in a more formal setting, it probably does mean a business suit.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Antinor01

Yea, the sucky part is that I'm working on losing 25-30 pounds so it won't fit anymore in a few months. (with any luck)

Plus side is this a an opportunity to schmooze and gain support for our new pilot project department. I just have to look at this as an investment in my future.

Go to a tux shop and rent a suit. Guaranteed to fit, and it will cost less than buying something that will have to be altered later.

[Antinor01]

Originally Posted by Rick

Go to a tux shop and rent a suit. Guaranteed to fit, and it will cost less than buying something that will have to be altered later.

That's a good thought.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Antinor01

That's a good thought.

That's why you keep me around

[Antinor01]

Originally Posted by Rick

That's why you keep me around

Rides to dopefests and suit ideas. That's two things charter members are good for.

[gigi]

Originally Posted by kenobi 65

If it's in a more formal setting, it probably does mean a business suit.

I would say an awards presentation definitely means dark suit, especially if you're corporate and will do networking, with senior folks there. You can jazz it up with a kicky tie.

[Sue Duhnym]

I agree with gigi - dark suit and tie.

[dalej42]

Originally Posted by kenobi 65

Based on what those etiquette sites say, it's, at a minimum, a blazer and slacks. If it's in a more formal setting, it probably does mean a business suit.

What I meant was not a typical business suit. If you've got something a bit more modern than your standard M-F suit, that would be what I'd pick.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Originally Posted by Rick

Go to a tux shop and rent a suit. Guaranteed to fit, and it will cost less than buying something that will have to be altered later.

Meh. Costs ~$80 to buy a tux. You can get a suit from JC Penney or MH for ~$100.

[kenobi 65]

Originally Posted by Really Not All That Bright

Meh. Costs ~$80 to buy a tux. You can get a suit from JC Penney or MH for ~$100.

Honestly, if you want it to fit well, and look good, you probably need to pay a little more than that.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Really Not All That Bright

Meh. Costs ~$80 to buy a tux. You can get a suit from JC Penney or MH for ~$100.

If you have an off the rack body (I don't) and you like polyester. If however you want to make a good impression with the big wigs, renting a good suit will be cheaper and a better choice.

[Antinor01]

Originally Posted by Rick

If you have an off the rack body (I don't) and you like polyester. If however you want to make a good impression with the big wigs, renting a good suit will be cheaper and a better choice.

At the moment that is my plan. I'm going to a rental place tonight. I'm looking for something tux-ish without screaming "I'm wearing a tux!"...you know like the satin stripe down the leg or any of that crap. Basically I've decided I want a very nice, moderately formal black suit. I also picked up some shoes last night since I didn't own any black dress shoes.

Originally Posted by ReallyNotAllThatBright

Meh. Costs ~$80 to buy a tux. You can get a suit from JC Penney or MH for ~$100.

The suit I could buy for $100 wouldn't make the impression I want to make.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Antinor01

The suit I could buy for $100 wouldn't make the impression I want to make.

What? You don't want to look like a cheap used car salesman? Or this guy?

ETA: Good call on the suit style.

[kenobi 65]

Originally Posted by Rick

Or this guy?

I was recently watching the first season of "WKRP" on DVD. A couple of the episodes had commentaries, and the show's creator, Hugh Wilson, mentioned that they custom-made many of Herb's hideous outfits...in fact, one of his suits was made from the upholstery from a Volkswagen.