Where we left off…There are a number of occasions that will undoubtedly come up in a man’s life. We told you a couple of weeks ago what should be hanging in your closet. We guided you to the essentials that always come into play sometime during each year. While a tux, several button downs and a couple of suits made the cut, certain decade old t-shirts (not to be confused with vintage) did not. Go ahead, feng shui your closet. By getting rid of the clutter you will have a better idea of what you have hanging there.
Now we must press on and discuss the many events that you will almost certainly attned and lead you in the right directino about what to wear when.
Weddings are a tricky subject. Your attire all depends upon the hour of the day the event will begin. A suit is almost always the appropriate choice, but there are several exceptions. An outdoor wedding, for instance, could call for simple khaki trousers and a crisp button down, especially if the ceremony is held at an exotic, beach-like location during the morning or afternoon hours. A wedding such as this might even require that you go barefoot. For the standard evening wedding, the standard business suit will suffice. The night wedding is a little trickier. Some call for black-tie, but you certainly don’t want to be confused with the groomsmen. If a tuxedo is required of you, I would suggest pairing a nice set of suspenders with your monkey suit as opposed to a vest or cumber bun. More than likely, the groomsmen will be wearing the latter. Another idea to set you apart from the rest is to wear a black four-in-hand tie rather than a bow tie; just be sure you can pull off this ultra-modern look.
A formal event invitation will mean some of the fellows will don tuxedos, while others will stick with their basic suit. The choice is clearly up to you. If you are helping to host, or the evening is being given in your honor I suggest choosing the tux. Otherwise, a classic suit is perfectly acceptable.
If the invitation says black tie, the invitation means black-tie. Wearing anything else would be rude and disrespectful to your host. If semi-formal or cocktail attire is penned at the bottom of your invitation this means for you to wear a suits. Your standard dark suit with a white button-up and a silk tie is appropriate. If casual attire is required of you, you must first identify what type of event you are attending. A cook out at your boss’s house requires something along the lines of khaki pants and a button-up or cashmere sweater, while a church picnic will allow for jeans and a t-shirt or polo.
If the party you plan to attend is in celebration of a holiday such as Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s, your suit or tuxedo should be worn; depending on the formality of the event. Never wear a holiday themed tie. Nothing screams “headed straight to the bottom of the corporate ladder” louder than a red and green snowman tie.
When it comes to matters of the heart, the appropriate outfit can make or break the date. A suit should be worn if you are having a night at the theatre or upscale restaurant. If you are grabbing a quick bite and then catching the latest blockbuster hit khakis and a sweater worn over a lightly starched button-down is the road to take. However, if the date is a little more casual like Sunday brunch followed by a stroll through the street markets, a low-key look including a polo-style shirt with jeans or no fuss khakis is the appropriate attire. If you are meeting her parents for the first time, think about where you are going and what you would wear on this type of date. You are technically trying to gain their approval just as you are trying to gain their daughter’s..
A business lunch or dinner requires your best business suit unless otherwise stated. Anytime you are meeting to talk about matters at work your dress should be just as serious as the topics you plan to discuss. Holiday or cocktail parties are the exception. In these cases refer back to page one where these events are discussed.
Always wear your conservative business suit when attending church or funeral. These are serious occasions that deserve your utmost respect. In some cases, a church service is a little more contemporary and dress pants, a button up and tie (with or without your navy blazer) are appropriate. I do not, however, suggest that you go completely casual and wear your polo-style shirt or jeans. A casual service does not mean for you to dress as though you are attending a golf tournament.
Sporting events are the time to let down your formality guard and dress completely casual. Anything else would look overdone and inappropriate. You are no longer in college, save the navy blazers at football games for the pledges saving seats for their fraternity brothers. Jeans, t-shirts and tennis shoes are appropriate, but if you still feel a little naked try a polo shirt and khakis. In cooler months, your wool-blend sweater will look very put together alone or over your polo.
I have always loved the mantra: great clothes open all doors. A job interview is where this phrase might actually come into play. You might be the best candidate for the job, but if you don’t fit the part you won’t play the part. This isn’t exactly fair but it is how the corporate cookie crumbles. So when in doubt, dress up. A perfectly tailored suit will get you almost as far as a perfectly tailored resume.
When male bonding over dinner a laid-back look is acceptable, depending on where you plan to dine. A sports bar is accepting of t-shirts and jeans while Harry’s Club is not. If you are dining at a place where you would usually wear a suit when with a date, try a simple button-up with dress pants. For a night out with the guys calls for a fashionable look that doesn’t appear you are trying too hard. A suit might be overkill; jeans and khakis or dark dress pants and perhaps your pale blue button-up will get you further. Never walk into a dance club wearing any type of patterned, velour shirt (unless you are dressed as a Saturday Night Fever reject for Halloween). You will definitely get some looks, but not the kind for which you are hoping. A girl, no matter how un-superficial she may be, will never date a man her friends make fun of. And if you wear that shirt, their jokes will be made at your expense.
Now that you know exactly what to wear, there is no excuse for you to sit home on a Saturday night. One of these occasions is sure to be right around the corner (hopefully not a funeral), so instead of stressing about your wardrobe, enjoy a night of relaxed fun. And if the weather gets chilly, your topcoatcan be worn with any of the aforementioned outfits. It will probably even look great around your date’s shoulders if she gets a little cold.
