Typical Rules for Men’s Formal and Smart-Casual Dress Codes
Choosing what to wear can be awkward for men looking to make the right impression but understanding some basic rules makes it a lot easier. By considering some of the most popular types of venues, we can see some of the typical rules that need to be taken into account.
What Is Formal Dress?
Formal wear for men generally means something like a suit and smart shirt, although some dress codes may specifically mention whether a jacket is needed. A tie may be required in some cases while smart dress shoes are needed to complete the look.
The difference between black-tie and white-tie events is one issue to be aware of. A white-tie affair is far more formal, with guests wearing a traditional look that includes a tailcoat, waistcoat, and a white bowtie. Black-tie attire is more relaxed, with a regular tuxedo and a black bowtie among the pieces to be worn.
How Do We Define Smart-Casual Dress?
What if you receive an invite that specifies the wearing of smart-casual clothing? The fact that this sounds rather vague means that it’s the kind of outfit that you might worry about getting wrong. It’s a style that’s less formal than business clothing but more elegant than casual gear.
If you’re advised to go with a smart-casual look, this could mean a professional look without the suit and tie. According to this article from Indeed, this look can combine fashionable items with a semiformal approach to create an ideal wardrobe for a professional yet relaxed setting like a modern office.
Restaurants and Cruise Ships
Only the classiest and most exclusive restaurants are likely to enforce a formal dress code these days. However, this advice from the Table Agent site confirms that there are technically five different categories, ranging from casual to formal and jacket required. Even the casual category requires you to make an effort to look smart if it’s a stylish or fine dining eatery.
Enforcing a strict dress code can prove problematic for a restaurant, as the owners of Kim’s Cafe in Greensboro, North Carolina found out last summer. Their list of banned clothes including shorts, crop tops, leggings, and white t-shirts caused a stir when it was posted to social media, with some users commenting that it seemed too strict for summer.
The more formal restaurants on cruise ships also have dress codes, with both the Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean hitting the headlines last year thanks to their clothing requirements for formal evenings in their main dining rooms. Responding on Facebook to criticism that the guidelines aren’t always enforced, Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald said that it’s difficult for staff to ensure that everyone compiles. Even the Lido Marketplace buffet area on Carnival vessels has some sort of dress code, with no uncovered bathing suits allowed.
Casinos Have Different Gaming Areas
We can see movies and TV shows featuring characters who wear their best outfits to play some games of poker or blackjack in a casino, but the dress codes have changed in recent times. While the most exclusive casinos have kept their strict dress codes in place, there are also many gambling locations where players don’t need to worry about dressing up. The historic Casino Baden-Baden in Germany lets players wear smart-casual outfits when playing slots, but men need to wear a shirt and tie with a jacket in the table games area.
A look through the land-based casinos in Canada brings up names like the Casino de Montreal in Quebec and the Fallsview Casino Resort in Ontario. Each casino offers a different experience, such as live entertainment and restaurants on-site. Casino resorts like Caesars Windsor and the River Rock Casino Resort have a full list of services for guests. They also decide their own dress codes, which are generally more relaxed during the day and in the slots areas.
Check the Dress Code in Advance
If you’re going to a smart restaurant, a cruise, or a casino, you should check the dress code in advance. Those establishments that like to apply strict guidelines usually publish the details on their website. Provided they’re open about these rules, you can plan accordingly and avoid any issues.