Cocktail attire for a wedding is a dress code that is dressier than business casual but less formal than black-tie optional or black-tie dress code. It is meant to bridge the gap between day and night, and it is still an occasion to dress up. Here are some guidelines for what to wear to a wedding with a cocktail attire dress code:
For Women:
- A cocktail dress or formal jumpsuit is preferable.
- The dress traditionally skews on the formal side, but it doesnt mean you need to wear a floor-length evening gown. A midi cocktail dress or something that hits just above the knee is appropriate.
- To modernize the dress code, consider wearing a sleek jumpsuit, a chic suit, or a trendy skirt-and-top combo.
- Women are encouraged to wear cocktail party attire featuring bolder colors, playful accessories, and unique silhouettes.
For Men:
- A suit is preferable.
- Cocktail attire is traditionally associated with single-breasted suit jackets, but a double-breasted jacket is acceptable.
- Men should wear a tie.
- For a more casual wedding, go with more colorful accessories, and for a completely informal wedding, skip the tie and just wear a combination with a dark jacket and lighter-colored slacks.
Its important to keep the location of the wedding in mind when choosing an outfit to wear. For example, if youre attending a beach wedding, you can rock a cocktail dress in a bold floral print or layer a colorful printed button-down shirt beneath your suit jacket.
