5 Rules for Men's Formal Wear

The word "formal" or menswear could mean diverse things for lots of people. It can vary from the extremely special white tie menswear that you see at galas for charity banquets or White House dinners to the more casual lounge look, where virtually any combination of suit and tie is a good fit.

The truth is that most men don't get dressed to the nines daily. However, this doesn't mean they can't be able to do it correctly.

This is why we've created this primer for formal male wear and how you can wear it.

Likely, you won't ever go to that white tie event, so we'll leave that out for now. It is always possible to get help from a professional tailor should such events pop up within your daily life. In the meantime, we would like to provide you with some guidelines for formal male wear that you can often wear for social and work occasions.

Black Tie Requires a Bowtie

Likely, you don't attend many formal events in black tie or even in the case of a normal man. But that doesn't mean you can't attend an official marriage, go to a charitable event or any other activity that requires formal attire during the next year.

Although very strict rules and rules govern black tie events, one thing which men appear to overlook frequently is wearing a bowtie. There are many reasons not to like bowties, and you might not like wearing the same bowties as your regular suits; however, if you're going to an event with a black tie and you don't wear one, you're likely to look like the odd guy who is out nearly every time.

Don't Skip the Vest

If you're not the type of man who wears a vest at work, you're sure to miss out on something important when you require formal male attire for an event, even if you don't have one. If you're wearing the vest, you gain an additional confidence boost and an elegant look that will make you stand out.

A vest can make sure you're cozy and warm during the winter months, particularly in an outdoor event or similar event. Also, you'll be walking around regularly during the winter and fall seasons!

Tie Color Matters

Most men don't consider the rules related to the tie colour, or at least in situations where the tie isn't black or white. There is a simple formal dress code which should be the basis for how you tie up a suit.

The tie you wear should be darker than your shirt on every occasion, even when you don't have to attend the most formal events that you can find. This means you can leave that tie in red with your white shirt. Also, make sure your tie is the darkest of the two if you're wearing a blue-on-blue tie and shirt.

Fit is Most Important

If you're looking for formal attire for men or trying to figure out what you'll wear to a night out, you must remember one basic rule: fitting is the essential aspect of looking great. When it comes to purchasing formal clothing for men, fitting is the most important factor in how good or bad you'll look.

Many men decide to have their clothing explicitly designed for them. A skilled tailor can assist you with your formal wear and ensure that it is in perfect shape. For one thing, fitting an appropriate tuxedo to a formal occasion is a different proposition than purchasing the perfect evening dress from the menswear department of a store.

Metals Must Match

The final rule in this checklist is that most men do not think about it regularly, even though they may wear belts, cufflinks or even a watch when getting dressed up. If you've never even considered it, you should know that the materials you put on when you're wearing formal attire should be in harmony, at least, for most of the time.

It is important to ensure that your belt and Cufflinks are polished with brass, silver or gold. It's tempting to pair your favourite sterling silver cufflinks paired with an iron belt when wearing blue suits, but this is something you must avoid when wearing formal attire for men.

Many people say it's fine for you to match your watch with the look of the metal on your watch, but the reality is that this is a pretty messy style. If you're not able to match the metal or aren't sure you want to choose a classic leather band.