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Way more chill than wearing a full tux but also a lot more formal than your standard jeans and a t-shirt, semi-formal attire for men tends to walk the line between looking great and feeling comfortable. It's an easy look to pull off if you follow a few basic guidelines and grab some staple pieces to keep on hand in your closet (you may already have some of these items).
If you're heading to a wedding, gala, party, or any other fancy event, you really don't need to stress about what you're going to wear. Just follow our quick rundown of menswear for semi-formal events.
You're Going to Need Great-Fitting Pants
When it comes to semi-formal attire for guys, you generally can't get away with jeans (sorry). That doesn't mean you need to be uncomfortable, though. Just choose a pair of pants that fit you well. They should be comfortable and look good (not totally baggy).
For a lot of guys, this means pants with a slim fit with some stretch, like Van Heusen Men's Slim Fit Flex Pants. We really like these in a charcoal grey color that will go with everything, but they come in a bunch of shades that would work well.
Quick Tip
Pick no-iron pants if you can so you can skip the chore of ironing. It's all about getting them out of the dryer before they have a chance to wrinkle, so hang them up right away if you want to keep things low maintenance.
Semi-Formal Attire for Men Means a Jacket
You can totally rock a suit for a semi-formal event, but we like mixing and matching with a separate jacket. This gives you the chance to show a little more personality and wear something that fits with the type of party you're attending.
A black sport coat like the DKNY Modern Fit High-Performance Suit Jacket is a really good choice because it will go with pretty much everything (except brown or navy). The added bit of stretch in the fabric will make it comfortable too, so you'll feel at ease.
Wear a Slim-Fitting Button-Down Shirt
A slim-fitting button-down shirt is another important wardrobe staple when it comes to menswear for semi-formal events. You need a shirt that fits well and makes you feel confident — nothing too baggy.
We really like Tommy Hilfiger's Solid No-Iron Button Down because it has a great shape and will look amazing on most guys. It comes in a really great frosted lilac color that will add some personality to your look, but there are lots of other great colors, too.
Dress for the Timing of the Event
Another thing to keep in mind when you're choosing semi-formal attire for men is the timing of the event. If it's a morning wedding in the summer, you might want to go with lighter colors and summer fabrics. You could swap out the black blazer for a light grey linen blend option, like the PJ Paul Jones Summer Sport Coat.
Show Your Personality With a Great Tie
A semi-formal event almost always calls for a tie, but you don't have to stick with something super conservative or cookie-cutter. This is where you can really express your own personal style.
We're all about the Dazi Men's Skinny Tie because it comes in over 60 different patterns. There's sure to be one that feels right for every guy, and it's fun to change up your look by swapping out some variations.
Don't Forget Men's Semi-Formal Shoes
The shoes you wear with men's semi-formal attire are important, too. The level of formality of the shoes should match the rest of your outfit — no shiny tux shoes but no tennis shoes either.
Dockers Men's Perspective Leather Shoes are a good middle-of-the-road option here. They look classy, and you can also wear them with jeans and a nice shirt when you want to dress down a little bit.
Remember These Tips for Semi-Formal Attire for Men
Nailing semi-formal attire for men is mostly about putting a few great separates together to get a look you like. It doesn't have to feel stressful or involve a ton of decisions. These tips can help you look perfect at any event that calls for this dress code.
- If you're wearing black, pair it with grey, black, and other colors. Don't wear it with navy or brown.
- Don't forget to wear nice socks that match the color of your shoes or pants (no white socks).
- Amp up your look with accessories or a shirt that really shows off who you are.
- If you're not sure if something will work, skip it and go with something you know is semi-formal. That way, you won't have to feel uncertain when you're at the event.
Don't Forget a Dash of Confidence at Semi-Formal Events
The old saying goes that "it's the clothes that make the man," but when it comes to semi-formal attire for men, it's really your confidence that will make the whole look work. The basic staples of dress pants, a jacket, and a button-down shirt tick all the boxes for this type of outfit, but wearing it with confidence and pride is what will take it to the next level.
