Semi-formal attire is a common attire suggestion for many events in the modern world. Combining elegance and comfort creates a look that is more than casual but less than full formalwear. Understanding the expectations and underlying requirements for a semi-formal event is important when making a good impression and feeling confident in your outfit.
What is Semi-Formal Menswear?
Semi-formal menswear is exactly what it sounds like – halfway between formal and casual. It truly is a balance between the two and is a common recommended attire for many types of events. While a tuxedo is considered formal wear, a suit or blazer would be semi-formal since it is a step above a casual look. From suit selection and shirt and tie combination to footwear choice and accessories, these are key components to pulling together the perfect semi-formal look.
Suit Selection
There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting a suit. Because the standards for semi-formal are more relaxed than formal wear, you have some flexibility in fabric and color. A more versatile option would be going for neutral colors like black, navy blue, or gray. These will coordinate with a lot of shirts and accessories. If you don’t mind something more unique, you could invest in something with a pattern or a different color, like dark plum or red. Regardless of the color, a proper fit will make you feel more confident.
Shirts and Tie Combination
You know which pants and jacket you’re going to wear, but how do you select a shirt and tie that complement the entire look? You can incorporate patterns by sticking to either a patterned shirt or a patterned tie, but not both. If you’re wearing a patterned shirt or tie, the solid color on the other garment should be one of the colors in the pattern. If you’re opting for solid colors, then you’d likely have a neutral as either the shirt or tie. Like your suit or jacket and pants, you want your shirt to fit properly to avoid the oversized or undersized look. Sizing based on measurements is the best way to select a shirt that will fit properly.
Footwear Choices
You’ll want to coordinate your shoes with your jacket and pants, versus creating an outfit based primarily on your shoes. Dress shoes come in a wide range of colors, styles, and materials. If you’re wearing something more formal, but still in the semi-formal bracket of attire, opt for leather oxfords or derbies. If you’re going for a more casual look, but still polished and put together, you could wear loafers. Typically, you’ll want to have both brown and black dress shoes on hand, depending on the jacket and pants color.
Accessorizing Appropriately
Accessories can enhance your entire outfit and help tie it all together, but you want to be cautious to not overdo it. Selecting a tie that complements your shirt, jacket, and pants could mean opting for a pattern or a solid color. The same applies when it comes to pocket squares. While you can opt for a solid, more versatile pocket square, a patterned one can give an extra embellishment to the overall outfit. Wearing a pocket square without a tie is perfectly acceptable. If you wear both a tie and a pocket square, they should coordinate. Instead of having the same pattern or color in both, try doing something opposing like a pattern and a solid color pulled from the pattern.
The most versatile option for a belt is typically brown, but black can work, too. When purchasing a belt, consider getting something high-quality and leather that will last you a while. Regardless of the outfit or attire recommendation, you’ll often reach for a high-quality belt. This is similar to a watch. While silver is more popular, a gold watch is just as versatile. Silver typically pairs best with black, gray, and navy blue. Gold pairs well with browns or other earth tones.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There is flexibility and room to highlight your personal style when putting together a semi-formal outfit, but there are also common mistakes to avoid. While the range for semi-formal outfit options is wide, you still want to be sure you aren’t over- or underdressed for the event. If the event is in the evening, it is likely going to be a little more formal, whereas afternoon events are more on the casual side.
Paying special attention to the colors and patterns you use helps avoid any mismatching or clashing between the different elements of the outfit. For example, if you’re wearing a patterned tie, avoid patterns in your shirt and pocket square. Multiple patterns can feel overwhelming and oftentimes mismatched.
Having your pants and jacket tailored to fit can sound expensive, but it is necessary to avoid garments that fit improperly. Like Rush Wilson Limited, most retailers offer sizing help by basing your choice on measurements. Sometimes, you can get away without needing a tailor if you’re choosing your size based on your current measurements. Investing in a well-fitting suit, jacket, and/or pants is a great addition to your closet as you’ll always feel confident in properly-fitting clothing.
Conclusion
Mastering a semi-formal menswear look enhances confidence. When your clothing fits properly and you know the colors and materials coordinate well, you’ll feel great and be able to enjoy yourself. Visiting a clothier like Rush Wilson Limited gives you access to expert advice on fit, style, and material quality. Schedule an in-store appointment or call the Rush Wilson team to learn more about fitting appointments.
