Just because men’s business formal fashion is strict doesn’t mean you can’t make it your own. And when done right, it’s always flattering.
It’s often tricky to dress for nice places these days. I’m talking about nice restaurants, cocktail parties, or any professional environments. If the dress code isn’t black or white tie, how dressy should you go?
Even the most upscale restaurants in New York and London only require jackets, not full suits (Cheat code: A lot of them will provide one for you if you give the right vibe).
Another cheat code? Men’s business formal attire is never a bad idea. You might be thinking, what if I end up being the only guy in a tie? No worries. No one will bat an eye at you at an upscale dining establishment or gallery opening.
Even in today’s fast-casualizing world, it’s a safe bet in any high-end or sartorially conservative context. Fortunately, you can accommodate this dress to your personal style in small ways.
But first, let’s answer the question: Exactly what is business formal from a dress code perspective?
What Is Men’s Business Formal Attire?
Business formal refers to traditional, conservative professional attire. For men, this means a full suit and tie in dark, solid colors such as navy, black, or charcoal. The entire outfit should feature neutral colors, meaning a white or light blue shirt, a solid tie, and dress shoes with dark dress socks.
Depending on your industry, you might be able to wear a tie with a subtle pattern, like simple stripes or dots. You may even be able to wear other dark suit colors, such as marine blue or dark maroon.
Business Formal Dress Code: It’s All About Context
If you attend an event with a business formal dress code, the aforementioned description always works.
However, one can take several variables into account. Some include your office culture, the industry you’re in, and the culture of the event or space you’re in. Depending on any of these, business formal may overlap with adjacent dress codes.
On the formality scale, business formal is just below black-tie. However, these days, you can get away with a full, crisp, and classically-tailored black business suit at certain black-tie events.
Business formal is dressier than business professional and cocktail. However, there’s sometimes overlap between all of them. And again, it’s all about context.
In a more casual work environment, perhaps at a Silicon Valley tech start-up, business professional also overlaps with what a Wall Street banker might consider business casual. A full suit with no tie or a broken suit with a tie, for example.
Sometimes, business formal can include a broken suit. A niche example? I’ve seen broken suits at professional events in the yachting industry. However, business formal never stretches so far into the tieless side of the casual realm.
Meanwhile, a marine blue suit, white dress shirt, and red tie are perfectly acceptable in any business professional environment. However, it may not be acceptable as a business formal suit in a more conservative industry or event.
The cocktail dress code is just a celebratory version of business professional. Patterns, lively colors, and fun accessories are welcome. How much this overlaps with business professional varies. Any overlap with business formal is highly unlikely but not impossible.
For example, a high fashion event with a business formal dress code might allow a lively tie. It may even be encouraged, as long as it’s balanced out with a solid, neutral suit.
Business Formal vs Business Casual
There is sometimes an overlap between business professional and business casual. However, there’s almost no overlap between business formal and business casual. That being said, they do both take a lot from the same toolbox.
Both dress codes often involve collared shirts, dress pants, dress shirts, and suit separates. So, it’s worth exploring the inextricable relationship these two dress codes have with each other.
When someone is dressing up to business casual standards, I often recommend they start with a business formal suit.
For example, imagine wearing a white dress shirt, a solid tie, leather Oxfords, and a full charcoal suit. To make it business casual, you could get rid of the suit jacket and tie and replace the Oxfords with loafers. You may even be able to get away with white leather
You can also start with a fully casual combination, then level it up with business formal pieces. Take a t-shirt, jeans, and
Sometimes, a simple swap of shoes, from
Meanwhile, in certain contexts, you can incorporate business casual pieces into a business formal combination to make it more you. Tread carefully with this, but it’s not impossible.
For example, on a cold day, you can place a cashmere quarter-zip in between your suit jacket and shirt.
Pair a charcoal quarter-zip with a black suit, dark tie, and black leather dress shoes. In my office, I’m allowed to wear a brown cashmere sweater vest with my navy suit and solid tie.
Relatedly, a tieless suit can be both business professional or business casual. While it could never be business formal, it’s a situation that brings business formal closer to business casual. I can’t reiterate enough that context shifts standards.
Business Formal Men: Go for a Classic Fit
You can experiment with trending fits when it comes to cocktail, semi-formal, and even business professional to an extent. An on-trend boxy suit jacket with oversized slacks at a cocktail event is perfectly acceptable — if that’s you’re style.
However, when it comes to business formal, you want to stick to classic fits and cuts. The more custom the tailoring, the better.
Classic tailoring simply means not too skinny and not too baggy. If you like a looser cut, you might want to go for a higher waist so that the pants still land cleanly. If you like a slimmer cut, just make sure your shoulders aren’t too tight.
As long as you stick within this range of classic tailoring, you can decide where on the spectrum you’re most comfortable. Maybe you even want to go for a looser cut in the summer and a slimmer cut the rest of the year.
Trends aside, these cuts and fits are also the most flattering. Just pick a place in the spectrum that complements your body type.
Business Formal Wear: Dress It Up With Accessories
What if you’re attending a strict, traditional business formal event, but you want to add hints of your personal style? Accessories are your friend.
You’d be surprised at how much a lapel pin or tie clip can dress up an otherwise standard suit.
Moreover, these days, it’s perfectly okay to wear a nice sports watch with your suit, even in formal situations. If you want to add a sense of adventure to your outfit, go for it. Just go for something classic, like a dive or a chronograph in stainless steel.
Here are some accessories to consider:
- Tie clip
- Cufflinks
- Wristwatch
- Lapel pin
- Pocket square
- A simple, clean, and understated bracelet
- Signet ring (If you like jewelry, just don’t overdo it. Two rings tops.)
Business Formal Outfits: Some Examples
Now, let’s look at some business formal outfits.
FAQs
Do you still have questions about business formal attire for men? No problem. Here are some of the most common, along with their answers, of course.
What is a business formal dress code?
Business formal, at its most traditional, is a full, dark, neutral suit. Black, charcoal, and navy are the most acceptable. White or light blue dress shirts are pretty much required. Stick to dark dress socks and solid ties, though conservative, subtle patterns are often acceptable, too.
Do I need a tie for business formal?
Absolutely. Even in the most casual industries, you’ll want to play it safe. If you’re told to dress business formal, this means always going for a tie.
Should I dress business formal for an interview?
Business formal is the safest bet when it comes to interviews. Even if you know the company culture tends to be more relaxed, you’ll want to stick to a full suit. This way, they’ll know that you know when it’s time to get serious.
Conclusion: Keep It Simple or Dress It Up
Ultimately, men’s business formal attire is both safe and easy to put together. Whether you’re going out to a nice restaurant or to a networking event, it’s always appropriate.
There’s something nice about a strict dress code, too. It eliminates the paradox of choice. And from there, you can make the outfit your own with accessories and, sometimes, colors and understated patterns.
Questions? Comments? Let us know!
