Received a wedding invitation that says, “Formal Attire”. I’m wondering if that’s the same as black-tie optional. In other words, women can wear long gowns or street length cocktail dresses and men can choose a tux or a dark suit and a conservative tie. So, what does “Cocktail Attire” mean?
I remember a conversation with my mom, who vowed one shouldn’t complain about the requested wedding attire but should, instead, opt out of attending if they don’t want to comply.
Yikes! I’m just realizing DH will have to take 2 suits! Wedding is “Formal Attire” and rehearsal is “Cocktail Attire”. It’s going to be an interesting flight!!
Your DH could just wear the same suit for the cocktail attire but lose the tie and add a fun shirt (e.g. sport shirt in linen, bright colors, strong patterns, etc). And/or swap the suit jacket for blazer with the same suit pants, or a casual pair of slacks. I wouldn’t get too wrapped around the axle for “cocktail attire” - there’s a lot of leeway there.
What @anomander said. A black suit will work for both events. The shirt and tie (or lack thereof) can dress it up or down a notch. Now… that is for dudes. As a dress-loving member of the womankind, I would be excited at the opportunity to wear two different dresses!
Gentlemen, please wear a shirt. One with a collar, since we are being specific. Don’t pair a blazer with your favorite graphic tee unless it’s an 80’s themed wedding.
Wow, I wonder if wedding couples realize the angst and threads and pondering their dress codes create among guests.
For H, his big issue is suit vs aloha shirt and slacks with tendency toward the latter unless his conversation with whomever invited us makes it clear that more formal attire is expected.
I have not been to many ultra formal events and have never felt improperly attired. Generally, I’ve worn a solid color jersey knit dress with jewelry and shoes or sandals. The one “semi-formal” wedding, wore a slinky navy long skirt and blingy navy sleeveless sweater (which I wear for the opera).
Maybe I am just too cautious - but if he has two suits I would pack both. Suppose something gets spilled on his pants during the rehearsal dinner? I think blazer and pants would be ok for cocktail attire - but that is just like packing two suits.
LOL ski. Looking at some runway photos, shirtless suit is the new formal. B-) Just kidding.
Good point, kiddie. However, quality wool cleans nicely, so it is a tradeoff between packing light/doing emergency wash in the hotel sink and being prepared for curveballs (like spilled meatballs).
Is it really all that much tougher packing 2 suits than 1? For me packing skirt suits, it hasn’t been. I don’t believe it would be for men either. The big Q is whether you H even cares or WANTS to pack 2.
I think the big question is whether one owns 2 formal, dark attire suits. In the current casual office dress environment, many men don’t and nice fitting, well made suits aren’t cheap.
Just attended a black tie optional wedding this summer. Not evening the father of bride or groom wore a tux. Not a single tux anywhere. Most ladies were in short dresses. Wedding was at 5 with a sit down dinner
The last weddings I attended, I believe all the males wore suits – no tuxes in attendance at either. S has several suits, I think dark grey and navy; perhaps others. I don’t think all that many males have black suits, though many more would have dark grey and navy. H has only one suit and I believe it’s navy. I think navy and dark grey look better on most people than black suits.
H’s contemplating ordering another and was measured for it but so far has not opted to purchase one and was not overly impressed with the guy who measured him. H had some custom garments made for him in Thailand and was more impressed by their tailors. These folks seem to be more measurers and probably send the orders off to China or somewhere to have them made. In Thailand, I believe the garments are made in or near the store and ready much sooner than the garments H was measured for in SF.
I am very surprised busypatent that a black tie invite came and non of the men in the family or groomsmen did not wear a tux. Perhaps the bride and groom did not know what it meant?
Good point, dos. I was typing the same thing… Mr. B is a one suit person. He does have a sports coat and an assortment of dress slacks, but he would never overpack. Myself? I usually pack 3-4 dresses for an event that requires 2 outfits. So I would have a choice.
I went to a formal/black tie optional wedding and I don’t believe anyone wore a tuxedo either. Just very nice, well tailored suits. Black tie was OPTIONAL.
I was surprised as well. I figured the groomsmen and FOB would be in tux at least. Flowers were beautiful. photographer kept standing in front of where I was seated which was a little annoying but very pretty event
Yes, I tend to over-think clothing for myself and often pack more outfits than I need, just to have options in case the weather is hotter or cooler than expected (I have very narrow tolerance for weather variation).
For the wedding I attended, the FOB was wearing a suit that he purchased a decade ago. We went with him to Mens Wearhouse where he had purchased the suit and they said they had let the slacks out as much as they could and it still fit him, so that was what he wore. He was not told to wear a tux and I don’t believe anyone present wore one, though the bride said it was “semi-formal.”
One with a collar, since we are being specific. Don’t pair a blazer with your favorite graphic tee unless it’s an 80’s themed wedding.