The look: Dark suit or blazer with dress pants Dress shirt (tie optional, depending on the event) Dress shoes oxfords, derbies, or polished loafers Room for a little more color, texture, or pattern than the dress codes above Our pick: The Blue Suit For a deeper breakdown including what to wear to summer cocktail events, what counts as a cocktail mistake, and how it compares to semi-formal see our full guide to cocktail attire for men
Start your journey outside of the box with this silk-and-linen-blend stunner from Brooks Brothers, which would look great with an oxford and suit separates
But if shorter mini dresses aren't in your comfort zone, go for a midi dress to find that happy medium not too short, not too long, but just right for all kinds of activities
There is a skirt suit to suit everybody
Floor-length or midi dresses with clean lines tend to photograph better than busy prints or heavily ruched silhouettes