Summer Cocktail Attire
I have a work convention in two weeks and just found out one of night's events that I have to attend will have cocktail attire. I have lost a ton of weight the last 3 years, so none of my old suits will fit. Which means I need to find something.
We are also in Phoenix and it will be the first week of June, so temps will be over 100f, even at night it will be pushing 90 probably.
I was thinking of maybe doing a pair of dressier linen pants and a linen sport coat. Maybe a navy pant and a lighter blue sports coat if I can find one. You think this would be ok for cocktail attire, or more dark suit would be more cocktail attire appropriate?
9 Replies
I mean what they want is basically a linen suit most likely. Otherwise you might just ask your coworkers what their plans are
Linen blazer + linen slacks is probably fine, don't do blue on blue though
The right high twist wool can be a great option too if you don’t own any other suits. Generally, it’s the first type of suit to go for in a hot climate. And you can also always dress the suit down with shirt choice.
Although, linen will be better for this occasion in particular because 90 is just real hot.
And yeah, don’t do different shades of blue.
Thanks for the advice!
Blue and beige a better color combo?
White shirt? Different material for the shirt?
A navy blazer/beige or cream colored trousers is a pretty classic combination. If you were to go that route, I’d think about having the trousers be a different material. There’s no real rule here (and you don’t have to listen to rules anyway.) But if the color/ texture of the trousers and jacket are too similar, the fit can just look off… like you should be wearing a suit. White is the more formal choice. But a blue shirt can also work well. If I were you, I’d look for some inspiration pictures and throw them in the chat, so folks can give a little guidance beyond just the general.
Here are several pics that I found. I was focusing mainly on color combinations not fit or materials as much. It's a super casual company, we sell ice cream, and I work in advertising, so I can definitely be a bit less formal and little more fun. Maybe a shirt with a pattern or something like that. I just want to stay away from pink and baby blue, since our biggest competitor uses those in their logo. We actively try to stay away from using them in marketing materials. So that would be the only out bad choice I think.
I would stick with something you can wear a lot of. And would probably go for something in the 1,2,3 or 7 range. I could go into the reasons why. But generally speaking, if you don’t own a lot of tailoring, you want something subdued — especially if it’s for work functions. My favorite would be a brown or dark navy blazer. And in fact, I have gotten a lot of out of both my Mock Leno navy DB blazer and my brown wool-silk-linen SB patch pocket sport coat for work events like the one you’re describing. (Although, temps were more in the mid 80 range.)
Don’t know what your budget is like. But Natalino has a blazer jacket in a nice 10oz mock lenno huddersfield (Hardy Minnis) fabric, for a decent price. I can’t speak to the construction quality, but some digging online and people seem happy enough. https://natalino.co/products/sport-jacket-navy-mock-leno-wool-hopsack-1
Sport Jacket - Navy Mock Leno Wool Hopsack – Natalino
Our half canvas sport jacket is made in a classic yet understated Neapolitan style for a softer, more relaxed garment that wears well with both tailoring and casuals. A natural, unpadded shoulder with 'spalla camicia' construction allows for modest shirring (or 'grinze') where a larger sleevehead is set into a comparat
You could then go with a linen trouser.
I really like the brown blazer too. Budget is a little open, but would like to stay lower probably. I'm still losing weight, so I may not get a ton of wear out of whatever I get. They also dropped the info on me yesterday and the event is on 6/4, so I probably can't order online. I'll have to go to a few places in town and find something so I can get it altered in time. Appreciate all your help though. It's been super helpful having some idea of what to look for going in.