# Men's cocktail attire. HELP! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 6, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327 "2008-05-06T19:28:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/1 "2008-05-06T19:28:05Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/2 "2008-05-06T19:30:03Z")
Based on these etiquette sites, sounds like “suit and tie”, or at least “coat and tie”: > **[Social Kissing - Etiquette](http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31667.asp)** > > The handshake is losing ground to the social kiss. What works and why we should consider > **[Dress codes casual, cocktail attire, dress casual, formal attire and informal](https://www.greatestlook.com/dresscode3.html)** > > The meaning of the dress codes casual, cocktail attire, dress casual, formal attire and informal. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/3 "2008-05-06T19:35:23Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/4 "2008-05-06T19:38:21Z")
Hey, at least you’ve got a week+ to buy a suit and have alterations done. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/5 "2008-05-06T19:39:52Z")
[QUOTE=kenobi 65] Hey, at least you’ve got a week+ to buy a suit and have alterations done. 🙂 [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/6 "2008-05-06T19:47:33Z")
[QUOTE=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) [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/7 "2008-05-06T19:54:12Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/8 "2008-05-06T20:04:45Z")
[QUOTE=dalej42] To me, I’d say it means wear something nice, but not your typical business suit. [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/9 "2008-05-06T20:21:58Z")
[QUOTE=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. [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/10 "2008-05-06T20:29:32Z")
[QUOTE=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. [/QUOTE] That’s a good thought. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/11 "2008-05-06T20:31:51Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] That’s a good thought. [/QUOTE] 😃 That’s why you keep me around ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/12 "2008-05-06T20:36:24Z")
[QUOTE=Rick] 😃 That’s why you keep me around [/QUOTE] Rides to dopefests and suit ideas. That’s two things charter members are good for. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/13 "2008-05-06T21:51:43Z")
[QUOTE=kenobi 65] If it’s in a more formal setting, it probably **does** mean a business suit. [/QUOTE] 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. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/14 "2008-05-07T03:13:13Z")
I agree with **gigi** - dark suit and tie. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/15 "2008-05-07T13:41:48Z")
[QUOTE=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. [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/16 "2008-05-07T13:49:28Z")
[QUOTE=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. [/QUOTE] Meh. Costs ~$80 to buy a tux. You can get a suit from JC Penney or MH for ~$100. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/17 "2008-05-07T14:44:45Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Meh. Costs ~$80 to buy a tux. You can get a suit from JC Penney or MH for ~$100. [/QUOTE] Honestly, if you want it to fit well, and look good, you probably need to pay a little more than that. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/18 "2008-05-07T16:23:32Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] Meh. Costs ~$80 to buy a tux. You can get a suit from JC Penney or MH for ~$100. [/QUOTE] 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. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/19 "2008-05-07T16:28:19Z")
[QUOTE=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. [/QUOTE] 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. [QUOTE=ReallyNotAllThatBright] Meh. Costs ~$80 to buy a tux. You can get a suit from JC Penney or MH for ~$100. [/QUOTE] The suit I could buy for $100 wouldn’t make the impression I want to make. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327/20 "2008-05-07T17:26:03Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] The suit I could buy for $100 wouldn’t make the impression I want to make. [/QUOTE] What? You don’t want to look like a cheap used car salesman? Or [this guy?](http://pyramidofexcess.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/tarlek.jpg) ETA: Good call on the suit style. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-cocktail-attire-help/448327.md?page=2)