What exactly does semi-formal men’s attire mean? Today, I’m going to demystify this confusing dress code for you.
Imagine this. You get an invitation in the mail. Perhaps it’s a big birthday — someone’s 40th or 50th. Or maybe it’s a wedding. You scroll down to the bottom right corner of the invite. It reads “Semi Formal Attire.”
What does this even mean? A tuxedo with no tie? Half a suit jacket? Does anyone know?
It’s the use of that pesky qualifier that throws us into a tizzy. “Semi.”
We all know what formal wear means. Formal hasn’t changed for decades. However, the worlds of smart casual and business casual have changed tremendously. By the way, here are two guides on the former and the latter.
Navigating these double-barrelled dress codes is intimidating. Today, we’re taking on men’s semi-formal attire to ensure you’re ready for your next semi-formal occasion.
What Is Semi-formal Attire for Men
A semi-formal outfit is one that’s less refined than a tuxedo or black-tie suit but dressier than casual wear like polo and khakis. Vague, right?
The good news is that there are safe ways to go about this for newbies that still leave room for adding a personal touch.
When in doubt, feel free to go for a full dark suit in the evening or a lighter-colored suit during the day. If it’s a wedding or professional event, you’ll likely opt for a tie. If it seems more flexible, like a birthday party, you’ll check in with the hosts to see if that’s necessary.
Pro-tip: Store a tie in your jacket pocket anyway.
So basically, you want to make sure you’re considering dress shirts, dress pants, dress shoes, and perhaps accessories like pocket squares if they’re your thing.
What You Should Avoid for Semi-formal Events
To make figuring this amorphous dress code easier, here are some clothing options you can omit. They’re the “non-options” if you will.
- Jeans
- Sneakers
- Work boots
- Khakis
- Short-sleeve shirts
- Collarless shirts
- Tuxedos
- Black or white bowties
- Cummerbunds
- Most formal suits with velvet detailing (i.e. dinner jackets)
- Trousers with a gallon stripe (since it’s likely made to wear with a tuxedo)
In 2024, a semi-formal event can really vary, so some of these may sneak their way in.
The point is to ensure there’s a refined balance and that you dress with intention. The semi-formal dress code isn’t the space for the effortlessly cool approach. It’s about respecting the event and the hosts.
So, for example, perhaps the event is on the more casual side of the semi-formal spectrum. You might get away with a collarless shirt. But, make sure you’re wearing full, solid suit dress shoes, and make sure to comb your hair too.
In certain country club semi-formals, a nice crisp pair of khakis might work with a navy suit jacket. But you’d also make sure your shoes are formal and that you’re wearing a tie.
Think of this list as more of an extra strict precaution. By avoiding these garments, you’ll stay in the safe zone.
I almost put loafers on this list, but I think a slick pair of leather loafers is perfectly acceptable these days. If I can wear them to board meetings, I believe I can wear them to a wedding.
Semi-formal Essentials
At a glance, here are the clothing options you should be considering:
- Dark suits in navy, dark blue, dark charcoal, even dark burgundy
- Ties
- Leather dress shoes
- Dark dress socks
- Dress shirts
- Vests
- Formal-looking sweaters, like a cashmere turtleneck in black or navy
- Dress watches
- Lighter suits in brown, blue, or olive for daytime events in the summer
Most of your outfit will consist of items from the above list.
The Dress Code Spectrum: Cocktail vs Semi-formal
Basically, semi-formal covers the ground in and out between business casual all the way up to a proper business suit.
Technically, it’s a lower tier of dressiness than cocktail attire. However, there’s a lot of overlap between the two. For example, a tieless suit is appropriate in either dress code. Semi-formal is common for daytime events, while cocktail is more common for the evening. After all, it’s more appropriate to serve libations in the evening.
So, in a lot of ways, what one is depends on what the other is.
Let’s say you’re attending an event, and there’s daytime programming as well as night-time programming. At this hypothetical event, the daytime event, perhaps an afternoon reception in a garden, is semi-formal. The evening event, perhaps a whiskey tasting with light bites at the library or salon, is cocktail.
In this case, you’ll save your dressier outfit for the cocktail portion, not the semi-formal portion. If you’re wearing a tieless suit at the semi-formal, then slap on a tie for the cocktail. If you’re wearing a suit with a crisp shirt and loafers for the semi-formal, then wear a dress shirt and Oxfords for the cocktail.
Notice, though, how all of these outfits would be perfectly acceptable in either cocktail or semi-formal situations.
It’s About Balance
Essentially, semi-formal events often have a wide range of formality among the guests. One guy might be in a full suit without a tie, another in a broken suit with a tie.
That being the case, you have room to incorporate your own personal style. Love a bright tie? Go for it! Just balance it out with a dark suit. If it’s during the cold season, and you’re a cable-knit guy, then feel free to put a cable-knit sweater under your suit jacket.
A dark burgundy suit is expressive but still neutral enough, especially if you go for a solid tie, white dress shirt, and dark Oxford shoes.
And I’m going to continue to say this until the end of time: A fitted dark turtleneck is an excellent option for these gray area dress codes. It provides the structure around your neck that a collar and tie would, but it is more relaxed looking without being overly casual.
Semi-Formal Wedding Attire for Men
There are three things to consider when attending a semi-formal wedding:
- What season is it taking place?
- When does it take place during the day?
- Where is it taking place? Relatedly, is there a theme?
If it’s a summer wedding, then you can definitely go for a lighter suit. Technically, and in the strictest sense, a cream, tan, or powder blue suit is too casual for semi-formal events.
However, what if this summer wedding is taking place during the day, and it’s at an outdoor, beachside venue? Then the lighter suits will do. Remember when I said it’s all about balance? Well, in this case, you’ll round out the suit with a tie and white dress shirt.
If you know for a fact that the hosts are super relaxed, then perhaps you won’t even need a tie.
If it’s a daytime wedding at a church, then you’ll want to stick to a darker suit, but perhaps a lighter tie. Even if the invite says semi-formal, you want to lean harder into the formal side if it’s at a venue that’s as traditional as a church.
You can basically go as formal as possible without going full-tuxedo or wearing a black or white bowtie.
There’s also a category I like to call festive semi-formal wear. Perhaps it’s a spring wedding in a garden.
While overly bright patterns aren’t understated enough for traditional formal wear, you may be able to get away with a navy suit and a floral tie.
Again, the important thing here is to be respectful towards the hosts. So, always make sure to check with them if you aren’t sure about the dress code.
Remember that weddings are multi-generational events. A sartorial choice that isn’t offensive to the groom or best man might be offensive to the groom’s grandfather.
And when you’re done here, here’s our full guide on what to wear to a wedding!
Black Semi-Formal Attire for Men
Again, in the strictest sense, black is a bit too formal for the semi-formal dress code. If you love the color black, though, there are ways to pull it off.
Basically, once you’ve put your outfit together, look in the mirror. If it doesn’t look like you’re trying to pull off a tuxedo alternative, then you’re likely good to go.
What do I mean by that exactly? Well, these days, most black-tie events (which were once strictly tuxedo affairs) welcome a crisp black suit with a black tie. Someone who doesn’t own a tuxedo but is attending such a formal event might go for a full black suit, crisp white shirt, a black bowtie, and shiny Oxfords.
For semi-formal events, you’ll want to avoid this.
Go for a tieless black suit with loafers instead. Or go for a black suit jacket, gray trousers, a gray tie, a white shirt, and loafers. Breaking up the black is a good way to incorporate it that’s still sleek but not overly formal.
Remember the rule to keep a good aesthetic balance.
While a polo shirt might be too casual according to tradition, you might get away with an elegant knit polo paired with a black suit jacket. Again, this depends on where the event falls on the spectrum.
Semi-Formal Work Attire
Here’s another confusing style category. If semi-formal attire overlaps with business casual and proper business, then are there actually any differences between the two?
Well, yes and no. A full suit and tie is appropriate in both dress codes.
Some might say that semi-formal is dressier than business formal, but claiming that can be misleading. The way I’d describe it is that business formal is less expressive and more understated. More meetings require business formal attire, while more parties require semi-formal wear.
There are instances in which ties aren’t necessary in semi-formal, but not many instances in which they aren’t necessary in business formal.
Basically, your semi-formal suit might sport the same silhouette as your business formal suit. However, you’ll save the diamond-encrusted tie-clip and brightly patterned tie for the former and stick to a dark, solid tie for the latter.
Also, the relationship between semi-formal and business formal is similar to the relationship between semi-formal and cocktail. One can define the other in different contexts.
If your day-to-day office outfit is a suit and tie, then maybe you’ll fancy it up with shiny cufflinks, a tie clip, and a gold watch for the semi-formal holiday party.
FAQs
Here are some quick answers to common questions about semi-formal attire for men:
Should I Wear a Tie for Semi-Formal Attire?
You don’t always have to wear a tie for semi-formal occasions, but if you’re playing it safe, go for the tie.
Are Jeans Semi-Formal?
No, jeans don’t work with a semi-formal dress code. These days, a crisp pair of dark jeans might work with a well-balanced semi-formal outfit, but it’s safest to avoid denim in general.
Semi-Formal vs Formal Attire for Men: What’s the Difference?
Semi-formal attire is less dressed up and more flexible than formal attire. Formal attire includes dark suits, ties, dress shoes, and, most notably, tuxedos. Semi-formal could include dark suits, ties, and dress shoes, but definitely not tuxedos.
Conclusion: Dress With Intention
A lot of the time, if an event invite is semi-formal, then the hosts are expecting there to be a wide range of formality among their guests. They’ll expect men with ties and men with no ties. Men in loafers and men in dress boots.
Heck, they may even expect the occasional dark jeans with a blazer combo. Hopefully, that guest is wearing a tie, though.
The important thing, one more time, is to dress with intention. Give your outfit some effort, and balance it out with some personal touches.
Make sure your shirts are ironed, your suit is clean, and your shoes are polished.
What are some of your go-to semi-formal outfits? Do you prefer to wear a tie or not? Let us know in the comments!
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