Figuring out what constitutes formal attire and what passes as semi-formal can be a difficult road to navigate. Since there seems to be an oversaturation of attires and styles, learning how to differentiate between what is appropriate for one setting and what is appropriate for another can be overwhelming. However, while it might take a bit of practice and time, it is of the utmost importance that stylish men learn these distinctions so as to show up to every event and occasion with the proper clothing. Though it can be a bit rigid, once you have mastered it, dressing up can result in some of your favorite looks and outfits of all time. If you’ve been asking yourself, “what is formal attire?” keep reading our full guide to navigating this complex dress code. 

The Ins and Outs of Formal Attire

To keep it simple, formal attire can be made synonymous with black tie and white tie dress codes. Across the board, all of these kinds of formal attire tend to call for the use of a tuxedo (which is pretty much as fancy as it can get for guys). As stated before, formal attire for men can be a bit rigid, and some men might find it to be even a bit outdated or boring. However, modern twists and creative changes have allowed for some slight room for improvements and unique updates. While some guys might have no issue with the standard and basic regimen found in formal attire, other men who like to get a bit more creative and expressive with their style can find a few ways to do so without breaking dress code or formal protocol. 

For example, even though you can’t get out of wearing a tux for certain settings, you can add a bit of flair and personal charm by choosing a colored tux rather than a standard black and white one. Though certain colors like pink or orange will be off-limits due to the chaotic and over-the-top nature of those colors, a deep blue or burgundy can be both tasteful and stylish. While these colors could be worn to a formal evening event that is less traditional, be mindful of wearing colored tuxedos at night. If possible, try to only wear them during formal daytime events. Also, keep in mind that when attending any sort of white tie occasion, a tailed coat and white shirt is often expected, meaning your individual style might be pretty limited. However, black tie events usually do not call for a tailed coat, making it a bit easier to make adjustments while still adhering to certain standards like a black bowtie and waistcoat.