Cocktail attire sits just below formal — polished, a little daring, never casual.
A jacket in a richer fabric
Cocktail dressing rewards texture — velvet, silk blends, fine wool — over the plain cotton of daytime wear. It's where you can lean slightly more luxurious.
A shirt with a bit of shine or pattern
Evening lighting flatters subtle shine and richer patterns far more than it does flat daytime fabrics. This is the occasion to use that to your advantage.
Tailored trousers, never jeans
Cocktail attire is one of the clearer lines — denim reads as too casual here. Tailored trousers are the baseline expectation.
Polished dress shoes
Pair the elevated top half with equally polished footwear. Mismatched formality between top and shoes is one of the most common cocktail-attire mistakes.
A confident accessory
A cocktail ring, a statement watch, or a well-chosen tie gives the outfit a focal point — cocktail parties are one of the few settings where a bit of boldness is expected.