You’re Invited! Cocktail Attire Requested

I love parties, gatherings, fiestas, soirees… etc. You name it, I’m down to go! With all of the tech events in the bay area, we have our pick of something to attend almost every night of the week. And most of us that go, watch a cool demo, chit chat, have a cocktail and brace yourself for the next day of work.

It’s when that invite says ‘cocktail attire’ requested, when most of us stop and say… ok, now it matters what I wear.  So I have to think twice about it and make sure I’m dressy enough, but not over the top. What if I wear too many accessories and try too hard? What if I’m too boring? Wonder what she’s going to wear or he’s going to wear? It’s endless and adds extra stress to the event, but it doesn’t have to.

My boyfriend and I got invited to a cocktail party on Saturday, and he immediately said, “Ok, I’ll get out my khaki slacks and button down.” Me = look of terror and SCREECHING HAULT to the conversation. I said, no no no! Time to get out of the cliches of oh-so-boring menswear and expand your horizons to the new standard of men’s cocktail attire.

These days, all khaki slacks should be burned and replaced with sleek dark denim. And not the shredded and torn to pieces, ‘I’m trying to be too trendy’ kind, but just a nice, solid pair of denim. No need for a stuffy tie anymore and bleached, crisp white button down either. You can replace that with a loose, rolled-up-sleeved button down, solid or print. No need for polished shoes you can see your reflection in, throw on those loafers with a few scuffs that have been worn in. It adds some character and no one will be looking at your shoes anyway! Now, this outfit, jeans, lose button up and loafers is pretty much the standard that I’ve seen at almost every tech event I’ve been to since I got into this field, but just in case anyone missed this new trend for guys at events and cocktail parties… I thought I’d share the wealth!

As for all the ladies and our cocktail appropriate attire… we’re lucky because our options are endless! Cocktail dress, jeans and heels, pencil skirts, pleated skirts… I can go on and on. And most of us don’t need too much help! But, if you’re having a day when you’ve tried on everything in your closet and nothing seems to be perfect, calm down, throw in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Holly Golightly will inspire you to no ends! It always works for me!