The rulebook on how the modern man is expected to dress for formal events is being rewritten. And not a moment too soon, we should add.
Where once the choices were between wearing a tuxedo, a dark coloured single breasted suit, or simply staying home, now the options are endless for men to express their personality and own unique sense of style, all while paying lip service to the formality of the event they’re attending.
Indeed, just because you’re not wearing a traditional suit, doesn’t mean that you’ve forgotten your sense of occasion. Do things differently, singularly, and confidently, with these 6 chic and stylish alternatives to the traditional men’s suit.
Belted Mac Coat, Waistcoat & Jeans
When it comes to subbing out the full suit in favour of something fresher, it’s a good idea to take pieces from the formal outfit, whilst not giving in to the look as a whole.
How about ignoring the suit jacket and trousers and wearing only the waistcoat? Team it with a plain, long-sleeved shirt, dark jeans, and pair of Derby or Del Toro shoes to get a hint of suave formality laid over a background of comfortable casual wear.
It’s not only about the clothing when it comes to looking formal, you also need to consider how your clothes fit the frame. For a masculine outline that enhances a slimmer waist and broader shoulders, opt for a belted mac coat in beige, grey or black that pulls you in at your stomach. Cutting the right figure, outline wise, works to take your look from unkempt to urbane without requiring a huge amount of extra effort.
Read: How to rock a stylish casual look at work in 5 simple steps
Crew-Neck Jumper & Smart Trousers
Textured knitwear is another top avenue to head down when it comes to dressing formally, without a suit. Woollen men’s fashion is on-trend and versatile, making it ideal when you want to minimise your getting ready time in the morning, pre-work, but still mange to arrive at the office looking sharp and slick.
Ribbed, crew-neck sweaters in burgundy, navy or moss green look great under a smart, wool-blend overcoat. Since you’ve gone for a more casual torso, we recommend ‘dressing-up’ your lower half. Throw on a pair of skinny-fit, smart trousers in black or grey, then polish off your look with smart, leather, laced shoes.
Double-Breast Waistcoat, Tee, Chinos & Brogues
Double-breasted waistcoats are iconic as a formal menswear clothing piece, which means you don’t have to add any extra frippery to the rest of your outfit to look dashing for an important occasion.
Pair this with simple, straight cut chinos. Whilst all trousers to some extent can be worn as smart casual business attire given a modern makeover, chinos are definitely the better choice if you want to dress up a little bit, particularly when combined with a plain t-shirt, which adds workable comfort to your outfit. Finish with a pair of embossed panel brogues for a final formal twist.
Check patterns and dark shades look best when it comes to your waistcoat choice. Since the standard tee is a typical casual wear item, we suggest wearing the same colour in a different shade to your waistcoat to maintain a subtle, sophisticated palette.
Do remember that chinos should never be bunched at the bottom so if they’re too long, get them trimmed or cuff the hems (if it suits your tastes)!
A Suede Jacket With Jeans & A Tee
Suede is a true luxe menswear fabric and you should incorporate it into your no-suit wardrobe whenever you can. Like we said earlier, deconstructing the standard formal suit and rebuilding it the way you want is the best way to approach this way of dressing.
Go for a smart, black suede jacket with black jeans for the ideal spin on the traditional suit. Then, throw on a grey tee with a v-neck cut to create a streamlined illusion to your frame and customise with a black and chrome belt and suede Chelsea boots. Since the standard men’s tee is typically low-key, try and style it up with a quality watch and masculine, square-top rings.
Roll-Neck Sweater With A Tailored Suit
Shape and definition are essential when you want to look confident and prepared for a special occasion — and these are characteristics that tailored suits deliver effortlessly.
To achieve the same level of masculine distinction without the awkwardness of a full suit, pull on a slim-fit, roll-neck sweater. Roll-necks are one of the few fashion pieces that feel comfy, but look like you’ve put the effort in.
Get it in a fine-gauge fabric to create a polished and streamlined torso, then add formal definition with a tailored jacket and pair of skinny smart trousers. Finish off with black or brown desert boots, and you’ve mastered a fool-proof, contemporary side-step to the traditional full suit.
An Oxford Shirt & Blazer With Pocket Square Or Knotted Tie
If you really don’t fancy wearing a traditional suit but know the occasion’s calling for one, don’t stress. There’s no kicking aside the fact that the long-sleeved Oxford shirt is the simplest way to guarantee a polished formal vibe without the feeling of a heavy, full suit. So, if you want to strike the right balance between contemporary-casual and established-formal, start with this and build out.
Shading is essential here. Bright and bold shirts won’t cut it if you want to look suave and sophisticated, nor will outerwear and trousers that are too light. Opt for a buttoned-down shirt in a subtle, block-colour — white or pale blue, say — and throw a dark, skinny-fit, wool blazer over the top.
If you fancy taking it one step further, slip a pocket square into your jacket or customise your shirt with a knitted tie — still avoiding bright hues. At this point, your outfit’s polished enough, so choose either some tailored trousers or even jeans, then seal it with leather brogues for the ideal smart causal look.
And with that, we can’t wait to see what you’re wearing next time we meet!
