Cocktail Attire Wedding: Dress Code Explained

Cocktail attire is a popular dress code for weddings, but it can be tricky to decipher. It's a balance between formal and casual, elegant and comfortable. It's dressier than business casual or semi-formal attire but not as fancy as black-tie optional or black-tie.

For women, this means a knee-length, tea-length, or midi dress, or a dressy suit or jumpsuit. Men should wear a suit and tie, with a darker hue for evening events or colder months and lighter colours for daytime celebrations or warmer weather. Accessories are part of the fun, so complete your look with the right shoes, bag, and jewellery.

Cocktail attire is flexible and allows for personal style expression

For women, cocktail attire is typically a knee-length dress, but it can also be a tea-length or midi dress. It can be a short formal dress, a dressy suit, or a nice jumpsuit. The key is to look polished and dressy, but not so much that you take away from the bride. Women should avoid wearing a mini skirt or a gala gown. When in doubt, a little black dress, a pair of sensible heels or dressy flats, some nice earrings, and a classy clutch will always work for a cocktail event.

For men, cocktail attire is typically a suit and tie, with dress pants and a blazer or suit jacket. It is more relaxed than a formal black-tie event, meaning men can incorporate colour in many different ways. For example, a fun-coloured jacket or shirt, or a patterned or textured suit. Men can also take their jacket off during the wedding reception if it feels appropriate.

When it comes to accessories, women can wear heels or a very formal pair of sandals, and a clutch. Jewellery is usually recommended unless you're wearing a very sparkly dress. Men can accessorise with a belt and a pair of nice loafers, a tie, cufflinks, and a pocket square.

It's dressier than business casual and semi-formal attire

Cocktail attire is dressier than business casual and semi-formal attire. It is a dress code that is often used interchangeably with semi-formal attire, but it is slightly more elevated. It is less formal than formal wedding attire (also known as black-tie optional).

For women, cocktail attire traditionally skews on the formal side. While a floor-length evening gown is not necessary, a midi cocktail dress or something that hits just above the knee is appropriate. To modernise the dress code, consider wearing a sleek jumpsuit, a chic suit, or a trendy skirt-and-top combo. Guests can opt for eye-catching prints, trendy necklines, and vibrant hues depending on the venue, season, and overall vibe of the wedding.

For men, cocktail attire is typically defined as a suit and tie. However, guests have the flexibility to experiment with colours, textures, and prints. A suit with a jacket in alternative fabrics and textures, such as linen for summer weddings or velvet, tweed, or herringbone for cooler months, is a great option. Pair it with corresponding dress pants and a button-down shirt. For accessories, play with colour and bold prints, especially if your suit is more neutral.

For women, a cocktail dress or dressy suit/jumpsuit is appropriate

The cocktail dress is a comfortable day-to-night dress inspired by the fun and fancy-free lifestyle of the prohibition-era flapper. It is usually knee-length, but can also be tea-length, midi, or maxi. It can be finished off with a stylish heel, or elegant flats. If you're not a fan of dresses, a dressy suit or jumpsuit paired with heels or formal flats is also a great option.

When choosing your outfit, consider the venue, time of day, and season. For example, if the wedding is at a beach, barn, or vineyard, you can go for a bold floral print dress or a colourful printed button-down shirt beneath your suit jacket. If the wedding is at a high-end hotel or a beautiful estate, you might want to shine in a brocade jacket or embrace embellishments like sequins and beading.

For evening events, you can add some glitz to your cocktail look with bold accessories, diamonds, a flashy watch, or strappy metallic heels. For daytime events, pare back on the jewellery and opt for a pair of classic pumps instead of sky-high stilettos.

There are no rules when it comes to fabric, but avoid casual fabrics such as cotton jersey and sweater knits. Any dressy fabric will work, whether that's lace, beads, sequins, satin, or silk.

Remember, the goal is to look polished and dressy, but not so much so that you take attention away from the bride.

For men, a suit and tie are required

A three-piece suit with a waistcoat is also acceptable, but be aware that this is considered more formal and may appear stuffy. If you're attending a daytime event, you could opt for a lighter-coloured suit, such as medium blue, dark or medium green, or shades of brown.

Your suit should be paired with a dress shirt, usually in a muted colour. A white dress shirt is the most classic option, but light blue is also a good choice. If you're attending a more casual event, you could opt for a shirt with a subtle pattern.

When it comes to neckwear, a necktie or bow tie is expected. A colourful tie can add a fun element to your outfit, but avoid anything too flashy or gaudy. Go for a subtle pattern or a classic colour like navy.

Finish off your look with a pair of dark leather shoes, such as oxfords or derbies. Black shoes are the most formal option, but very dark brown or oxblood are also acceptable.

Remember, cocktail attire is meant to strike a balance between formal and casual, so feel free to add your own personal touch with unique accessories or colourful accents. Just be mindful of the formality of the event and the time of day when putting your outfit together.

Accessories are encouraged to elevate your look

Accessories are a great way to elevate your look and make it more formal. When planning an outfit for a cocktail wedding, don't forget to accessorise. Bold jewellery, a fancy clutch, and even a festive pocket square can completely transform an outfit.

For women, a cocktail dress is usually finished off with a stylish heel, but elegant flats are also an option. A clutch is recommended, but if you need to bring a bag, be sure to avoid anything too clunky. You can also use jewellery to elevate your look, although this is usually recommended if you're not wearing a very sparkly dress.

For men, a belt and a pair of nice loafers are expected. A tie is also a must, and your suit jacket may leave room for extra accessories like cufflinks or a pocket square.

If you're worried about being underdressed, adding a few accessories can help refine your look. If, on the other hand, you're concerned about being overdressed, removing some accessories can help to create a more casual vibe.

Frequently asked questions