Written by Menswear Style in Essentials on the 18th June 2018

How you dress can say a lot about you, and understanding how to dress for particular occasions can save you a lot of stress and potential embarrassment. After all, you wouldn’t want to turn up to a formal event in a T-shirt! Dressing in the right outfit can give off a sense of sophistication and style, giving the right impression to the other guests and host. There is a time and place for dressing smart; for work, at weddings and certain social events. It’s important that you recognise when it’s time to pull out your suit and smart shoes, especially if there has been a set dress code for the event. So, whether you’re off to the office for an important meeting or you’ve RSVP’d to your friend’s wedding, there’s a certain smart outfit to perfectly match.

Smart Business Wear 

If you work in an environment that requires a smarter approach to dressing, there are a number of contemporary options available to you. Depending on the nature of your business, as well as the company rules when it comes to dress code, you can choose to wear a variety of smart attire. Form-fitting suits are a huge trend when it comes to smart modern dressing; suits that have a close fit for a particularly fashionable appearance. However, if you want to tone it down somewhat, chinos and a shirt paired with a blazer is now widely acceptable when it comes to men’s smart clothing. Offering a simple but still sophisticated and tailored look, it’s also a great choice for the summer months. Make sure you choose closed leather shoes or even loafers for work, and consider keeping a tie and smart jacket in your office for any emergency meetings.

Smart Attire for Social Events 

While it’s easier to throw on a T-shirt or similar for a social event, particularly in the warmer months, it will say a lot more about your character if you opt for the smarter choice. For social events with a degree of formality such as a lunch or a wedding, you can get away with dressing smartly without the need for a full suit. Choose a suit with no tie to keep up that smart appearance without going overboard; either a dark coloured or light coloured suit depending on the nature of the event. For example, a garden party or outdoor reception could lend itself to a lighter shade of suit. Similarly, opt for a semi-formal outfit if you can get away with it. Pair your shirt with jeans and a blazer for a smart but comfortable approach. If you want to take the smart casual route, choose chinos with a long sleeve shirt, or a T-shirt under a blazer.

Black Tie Dress Code 

One of the only dress codes that is a little more rigid is black tie. Traditional black tie calls for a tuxedo, or dinner suit, in black or very dark blue known as 'midnight blue'. Paired with a white shirt, the look is often finished with a black bow tie and dress shoes. Some opt for a matching waistcoat too. This is the ultimate smart attire and is usually reserved for sophisticated evening events. So, whatever events you’re invited to this year, make sure you have the wardrobe to match. After all, it’s easy when you know how!

We discuss Smart Business Wear, Smart Attire for Social Events and Black Tie Dress Code in this article focused on Smart Menswear Attire for Every Occasion.