Semi-Formal vs. Formal Attire for Men: Simple Rules To Follow

One of the more uncomfortable things in life is arriving anywhere in the wrong clothes. 

Imagine showing up to a work event in khakis and a polo when everyone else is in a full suit, or in a tuxedo to a beach wedding where everyone is in linen suits and loafers. It’s humiliating, and extraordinarily difficult to have a good time if you stick out like a sore thumb. 

In this article, we have compiled everything there is to know about semi-formal and formal attire, so you never show up out of place. We will guide you through the meaning of some common dress codes, when to wear which, and what definitely never goes at a black tie event. 

Semi-Formal Attire: How To Dress For Semi-Formal Events

Let’s take a look into semi-formal attire first.

What Is A Semi-formal Event?

To be blunt, semi-formal means an event is basically a more casual version of a formal event. Semi-formal occasions are usually daytime events such as brunches, garden parties, and even some weddings, like beach weddings.

What Is Semi-formal Attire?

The most basic rule to keep in mind when it comes to semi-formal attire is that you need to look neat and pulled together. This way, you can basically wear a dress shirt with a tie and jeans, as long as your pair isn’t ripped or white-washed.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the semi-formal dress code: 

Semi-Formal Wear For Men

• Suits – for suits, you can wear practically anything that isn’t a tuxedo. Note that a dark suit will always look more formal than a lighter suit, and you should go darker for night time events. For semi-formal during the daytime, light colored suits are perfectly appropriate. 
• Dress Shirts – your dress shirt should be button-up, with long sleeves and a collar. Though white or blue collared shirts are the most popular colors, you can definitely go a little bolder than you can with your suit color, as long as it all matches. Button your shirt all the way up, and tuck it into your pants. 
• Dress Shoes – go for a leather shoe in a loafer, full-brogue, oxford, or dress boot style. You’ll get the most wear out of a medium brown or cognac leather, as that pairs nicely with both gray and blue suits.  .

 Semi-Formal Attire For Women

• Dresses & Jumpsuits – dresses should be knee-length and relatively conservative, though you can use your best judgment. If you’re leaning toward a jumpsuit, go for a floor-length piece. Color-wise, women have a bit more choices than men, the same rule of thumb goes here, too – darker colors are more formal, and we also wouldn’t recommend any color that pops too much, like a fiery red or a bright pink.
• Pantsuits – nothing looks more business-y and stylish than pantsuits with a dressy blouse and nice heels or sandals. Stick with the color rule and keep your accessories basic and minimalistic, and you will fit right in.
• Shoes – for semi-formal, anything goes, from heels or sandals to flats as long as you take into consideration where the event will take place. As a rule of thumb, go for a flat or kitten heel for daytime events, and a higher heel at night.
• Accessories – When it comes to jewelry, clutches, and other small bags, make sure they work to pull your whole outfit together. For handbags, think about what color your shoes will be and go from there. If you want to play it safe, stay understated with simple silver or gold jewelry. 

Semi-Formal Do’s And Don’ts

• Do wear the right suit – Don’t show up in a tux, but also, don’t think a summer seersucker will do for winter. Go for a nice gabardine, cashmere, or wool suit in a darker color, unless it’s a summer event, then go for a lighter suit, if you’d like.
• Do match your shoes and belt. – If possible, try to match both the material and color. 
• Don’t underdress – Semi-formal still has the formal aspect. Stay away from khaki and sneakers, and instead opt for your suit and loafers. 
• Don’t be afraid to ditch your tie – many semi-formal events are tie-optional. Use your best judgment here, but if you’d rather go without, it’s probably safe to leave your tie at home. 

Formal Attire: How To Dress For Formal Events

What Is A Formal Event?

Formal events are black-tie or white tie and are the fanciest you’ll go to. Think of galas, balls, and evening events that include ceremonies and dinners. Some weddings will also request formal attire, usually when the number of guests exceeds about 100.

There are two dress codes for formal events, either a white tie or a black tie.

• White Tie – also indicated by phrases like ‘full evening dress’ or ‘tails,’ white tie requires your most formal attire. An evening tailcoat, with a white bow tie and matching trousers, is required. With your tux, you have to wear studs and cufflinks, and you can even wear a black top hat or a white flower on your label. If you want to tick all the boxes, bring your white leather gloves, too!
• Black Tie – A black tie event is a little less formal than a white tie event. Here a black or dark blue tuxedo is a must, with a white dress shirt, black cummerbund, and black bow tie. 

What Is Formal Attire?

[h4] Formal Wear For Men

• Black Tuxedo – The good old tux will simply never go out of style, and it certainly is a requirement for white tie and black tie events. The tailed jackets, cummerbund, or waistcoats are the items you simply cannot go without on a formal attire evening event.
• White Dress Shirt – Black tuxedos and white shirts go together like peanut butter and jelly.
• Dress shoes – Black shoes (ideally oxford shoes) are the one and only thing you can wear with a tux, no questions asked.
• Accessories – For formal events, white or black bow ties are required. You should also consider cufflinks, top hats, and pocket squares.  

Formal Wear For Women

• Floor-length gowns – For formal events, women should leave their cocktail dresses at home and opt for a floor-length evening gown. Use your best judgment for color and style, but you have relative freedom here, so let your personal style show through.
• Heels – Go for a full heel here, 2.5” and above. 
• Accessories – Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and that couldn’t be more true for a formal evening event. Wear your fine jewels, and opt for a small, unobtrusive clutch to complete your look. 

 Formal Do’s And Don’ts

• Don’t improvise – White are black tie events are not the time to wing it. Stay traditional, and stick with what you know. 
• Don’t neglect your grooming. – It’s hard to look like you belong at formal events with a badly managed haircut or an unstructured beard. Schedule a haircut in advance, and on the day of, carve out some time to trim or shave your beard. 
• Don’t match your date – This is not the prom. Your tuxedo’s purpose is not to match anybody’s dress, no matter how insistent your lady might be. You both deserve and need to stand out separately at a black-tie event.

What Is Black Tie Optional?

Some events (mostly weddings) will say “black tie optional,” meaning you can wear a suit to these gatherings, and nobody will frown upon you if you don’t come in a tux. 

Understanding Other Types Of Dress Codes

Apart from semi-formal and formal, there are a few other, more casual dress codes you should have a handle on. 

• Smart Casual – This is a combination of smart wear and casual clothes. Think everyday office wear, nicer brunches, job fairs, etc. For smart casual, mixing and matching nicer pieces with more casual pieces is key – think jeans with dress shoes, for example. 
• Business Casual – Slightly dressier than smart casual, business casual is typically required for business meetings and events, job interviews – any professional event where you’re meeting someone new and have to make a good first impression. Go for khakis, collared shirts, and dress shoes here, but skip the tie. 
• Cocktail Attire – cocktail dress is a blend of formal and casual clothing. For men, go for lighter colors, and always wear a suit jacket, dress pants, and tie. For women, knee-length dresses or skirts, along with more casual pant suits or jumpsuits, are perfectly acceptable. 

Dress To Impress At Every Occasion

The most important thing to remember for both formal and semi-formal is that classic pieces are a great investment – a nice suit and tux will go a long way, and won’t ever go out of style.

To maintain a sharp silhouette all night long, it’s important to invest in what you wear underneath as well. A high-quality, fitted undershirt will give you shape and prevent ‘undershirt gut.’ Plus, you’ll protect your dress shirt and jacket from sweat stains and odor to stay cool and comfortable the whole time you’re wearing it.

Whether formal or semi-formal, for the right fit underneath, shop UnderFit’s premium undershirts.

About Leigh McKenzie

Leigh is the owner of UnderFit, a premium men's undershirt brand based in Philadelphia, PA. You can follow Leigh on LinkedIn and Twitter.