Get married. Semi-formal casual Clothing Holiday get-togethers. Two people can have dinner at Per Se, cocktail hours after a meeting in the Grand Ballroom of some Hyatt hotel in some city. No matter who you are or where you live, you can’t avoid the semi-formal event. But… more casual? Unclear.
How is men’s semi-formal clothing different from their formal-formal clothing? A lot of this can be interpreted in different ways. How you dress for different events relies on your style, what you can pull off, and how much you want to follow social norms. Don’t worry, my brother is in sartorial arms. Just write down those dates and RSVPs. We can do this.
BECAUSE OF THIS
The key to looking great in semi-formal clothes for guys is…well, there isn’t a key. We all agree on “acceptable,” so feel free to add your style and color. The bare minimum is a suit or jacket, dress pants, dress shoes, and at least two dress shirts. If you want a suit that you can wear anywhere and for anything, Suitsupply’s Havana is a good option. And if you want to wear a standard Oxford under it, ISTOs are the most helpful choice.
WHAT DO MEN WEAR THAT IS SEMI-FORMAL?
Men’s semi-formal clothes include full suits, an intelligent outfit of a jacket and pants, dress shirts, dress shoes, and ties. Although semi-formal clothes should be well-thought-out and classy, they give you more freedom to show off your style through decorations and bright touches than formal clothes.
1. SUITS SEMI-FORMAL
Suits that aren’t quite a black tie are the standard for weddings, holiday parties, and any other event that isn’t quite a black tie. A good, mid-range suit is something that every man should have on hand for when he has to go to a social event. The good news is that you have a lot of choices. You can wear jackets with chinos or not. White on top, navy below.
Over the years, I’ve worn my blue Suitsupply Havana Suit to almost every event, and it’s always looked and felt great. Only want to have two go-to suits? Choose colors that are worn with many different things, like blue, black, or dark grey. You can easily add pops of color to show off your style and personality, and they look great.
2. CASUAL AND FORMAL DRESSES
If you need to find a shirt for a semi-formal event, you might grab the first button-down you see and be done with it. But give it some thought. The night will always go on, whether you’re at a wedding, a work event, or on a date. Ties and talk will become less tight. Hair will be slouched back. Also, that jacket will come off in the end. Let’s take our time with this part.
Let’s ensure your dress shirt is soft, flexible, and long-lasting. However, let’s also ensure it looks great and is ready to go when your jacket has to sit down. Wearing essential shoes like IT’s Oxford is always a good idea, but don’t be afraid to add some color or a subtle seersucker shirt when the mood strikes.
3. CASUAL TO PARTY SHOES
Those shiny dress shoes don’t have to be worn with semi-formal clothes. From Oxfords and derbies to shoes and sneakers, you can choose from these. That last one is more of a pro move that should only be done in certain seasons and situations, but it’s still okay if it’s done right.
Another choice is a classic pair of penny loafers from Scarosso, which can be worn with many different outfits. They’re very comfortable and come in many colors, so matching them with your outfit is easy. As for semi-formal shoes, you should start with loafers and a good pair of lace-ups. After that, anything goes.
4. SEMI-FORMAL SOCKS
To complete your semi-formal look, dress socks are another essential item that shouldn’t be overlooked. Before you get too creative with your choices, ensure you have a good supply of comfortable, high-quality socks in neutral colors like black, blue, and grey.
The Ludvig socks by Myrqvist are a great place to start. They are made of merino wool, which is warm and airy. After that, you can add some bright designs or solid colors to change things slightly. You get extra points if you wear them with a pocket square or a button-down shirt.
5. SEMI-FORMAL SUNGLASSES
An essential part of any respectable man’s semi-formal wardrobe is an essential pair of sunglasses. But you should never wear sunglasses inside for a semi-formal event (promise me you’ll never do that!). But it is perfectly fine to wear sunglasses to some events.
Weddings and parties on the beach beg for the right pair of sunglasses. An essential pair of wayfarers or round tortoiseshell sunglasses always looks good with a suit or blazer tailored to you. They also go well with any outfit and event because they are simple and block the sun.
6. BAGS WITH SOME FORMALITIES (BACKPACK/BRIEFCASE)
Of course, not every event will happen in your area. You will need a travel bag to carry your semi-formal clothes in style to weddings, holiday parties, and other events that are out of town.
A stylish suit carrier like this basic leather and canvas number from Shinola should be all you need for short trips like the weekend or overnight stays where you won’t need to bring much. Otherwise, a large weekend bag or a simple rolling carry-on are good backups.
7. BLAZERS AND SEMI-FORMAL
You can also have fun with your semi-formal style by adding a jacket. Yes, neutral colors like blue, black, and grey will work best here. However, if you wear a blazer instead of a full suit, you can mix and match your clothes more efficiently.
Do not be afraid to try different colors and materials as long as they fit the event. For example, Peter Millar’s Southport cotton-blend jacket comes in a light but bold shade of blue that goes well with lighter pants for events in warmer weather. The holiday season is when the semi-formal jacket shines. Velvet, silk, and tartan. At this point in the year, guys can wear less-than-stunning semi-formal clothes.
8. PANTS THAT ARE SEMI-FORMAL
Now that you have one or two blazers, you need to decide what pants you will wear with them. You’re good to go if you’re wearing a suit. However, you can have some fun with the pants based on the event and how many clothes you have.
A navy blazer and a pair of pressed white or khaki pants look great when going to events outside in the spring. P crisp and well-fitted linen pants are a stylish and cool way to stay cool in the summer. When it gets cold outside, a worn-out pair of neutral-colored wool pants like J. Crew’s Ludlow suit pants will be helpful.
SEMI-FORMAL DRESS CODE, WHATEVER THE EVENT
ATTIRE FOR A PARTICULAR WEDDING
An acceptable suit is usually required for a semi-formal wedding instead of mixing and matching tops and bottoms. My go-to wedding suit for years has been Suitsupply’s Havana in blue.
But my next purchase for a wedding is Sid Mashburn’s Kinkaid No. 3 Suit from the South. It’s the perfect suit for a winter wedding and looks great with funky ties, socks, and pocket squares. Make sure you have a basic pair of sunglasses on hand for summer weddings that take place outside. If you’re going somewhere casual, don’t be afraid to wear shoes without socks.
SEMI-FORMAL CASUAL CLOTHING
You can wear a shirt or jacket with many kinds of semi-formal casual clothes as long as they are well-chosen. It’s one of the few groups where jeans or slacks are acceptable. Some events where semi-formal casual clothes are appropriate are first dates, art openings, happy hours for clients, and casual rooftop cocktails. Put on a jacket and dark selvage jeans that have been pressed.
Wear a crew-neck sweater and jacket over a pair of colored chinos. To begin, wearing navy blue dress pants and a white seersucker shirt is fine. All of these are acceptable ways to get this look.
ATTIRE FOR A SEMI-FORMAL EVENT
Finally, the most general type of semi-formal clothing for men is semi-formal standard gear. If you get an offer with any of those words, feel free to mix and match them as you please.
But since every building needs a base, start with L’Estrange’s unfinished 24 Blazer 2.0, which is unbelievably soft, and work your way outward. Chinos in white. Khakis with a straight fit. Shoes with soles. Oxford shoes. You can do almost anything in this category if you value the event.
HOW TO PICK OUT YOUR PARTY DRESS
THE OCCUPATION
If you only follow one rule about what guys should wear to a semi-formal event, make it this: Respect the event. “Semi-formal” can mean a lot of different things, so don’t confuse it with “casual” or “relaxed.”
If it’s a semi-formal event, like a wedding or a work party, you should wear a suit and tie, a jacket with pressed pants, or some other dressy outfit that fits the event.
THE SEASON
Focus on a fall semi-formal outfit that you can picture in your mind. Now, picture one in the summer. Do you agree? They couldn’t be more different.
Looking for bright pops of color and fabrics that let air flow, like linen and organic cotton, during the warmer months. Choose jackets and pants made of wool, corduroy, and velvet when it gets cooler.
HOW YOU DO IT
There isn’t much room for creativity for black-tie events and other formal events. Even though the rules aren’t as strict as they used to be, semi-formal events still have rules to follow. No matter the event, semi-formal clothes should let you show off your style while still respecting the event and the line between casual and semi-formal.
END OF THE STORY
A Blazer. Pants for work. Shirt for work. These are excellent shoes. Those are the most essential parts of any semi-formal outfit. “Semi-formal” can mean many different things to different people, so feel free to add your interpretation.
However, sometimes all you need is a suit that can be worn in many different ways, like the Havana from Suitsupply, for all sorts of events and seasons.
FAQs
CAN I WEAR PANTS TO A COCKTAIL PARTY?
Yes, it’s semi-formal and informal. Standard of some kind: No. Put another way, you can wear jeans to dates, happy hours, and other similar events as long as the rest of your outfit is dressed up. If not, wear a suit, dress pants, or slacks.
WHAT GUYS SHOULD WEAR SEMI-FORMAL VS FORMAL. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
Regarding colour, style, and event, formal clothing is usually more set in stone. Black- and white are two examples right away. Semi-formal clothes have some “rules,” but they also leave more room for creativity.
WHAT NOT TO WEAR TO A DINNER PARTY?
At semi-formal parties, don’t wear shorts or jeans. Dress it up with a jacket, a nice tie, and a pair of freshly pressed pants.
