What these common dress codes actually mean

Got the invitation but confused by the dress code? You take to Google, hoping for a quick, simple answer to your sartorial conundrum, only to close the browser feeling even more puzzled. Your friends? Equally clueless. So, we’re here to break down three of the most commonly baffling dress codes, so you can spend your time on what really matters – looking like the sharpest man in the room.

Perhaps the most commonly queried dress code, smart casual rarely has one set meaning. Of course, smart casual worn to a pub on a date night will mean something different to smart casual worn for a laid-back wedding, so your own initiative is always a good place to start.

Don’t be afraid to mix up your day-to-day attire. If the occasion allows, a polo shirt with a checked suit and white trainers is a great starting point. Want to avoid a suit altogether? A deconstructed version, in the form of a blazer, tapered chinos and an Oxford shirt makes a strong combination. Use your imagination but don’t go wild – smart casual is usually an invitation to blend in.

A lounge suit is basically a fancy way of asking you to wear an everyday two or three-piece. It’s most commonly used on wedding invitations or evening parties as a way to distinguish between morning dress or black tie – traditionally, a lounge suit refers to something less formal. It can mean anything: a linen two-piece, a merino three-piece or anything in-between.

But that doesn’t mean you have to wear the same suit you wear to work every day. Depending on the type of occasion, feel free to leave the mundane behind for Monday to Friday. Check in with your hosts and if it’s appropriate to do so, lose the tie and try something you don’t normally go for, such as a roll-neck, an open shirt or a patterned pocket square.

Another equally confusing dress code conundrum? Cocktail dress. Simple for women, seemingly much more complex for men. Simply defined, it’s less formal than a tuxedo but more so than your everyday two-piece.

Cocktail dress is normally reserved for formal occasions such as evening weddings, New Year’s Eve parties or evening cocktail parties, which is why it often pays to opt for luxe fabric, such as velvet, in darker colours. Black tailored trousers and simple leather shoes should be paired with a more luxurious top half; a dark green or navy tuxedo jacket, a shirt or dark crew-neck and a traditional tie or a dress scarf. Have fun with standout accessories such as a decadent pocket square or classic cufflinks. 

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