Holiday Party: Cocktail Attire?

[bandar]

There's no definitive thread with an answer (I searched!), so I am bringing the topic up again.

I have a holiday party tonight for my law firm, and the invitation says "Cocktail Attire Suggested (no tuxes necessary)". Between the two options (or any additional suggestions), what would be more appropriate? The party is on a boat cruise in Washington DC (if that makes a difference), and I just joined the firm three days ago, so I'd obviously like to make a good impression and be dressed appropriately.

Option 1: Black trousers, spread collar dress shirt with french cuffs, grey herringbone jacket.

Option 2: Dark grey suit with vest, spread collar dress shirt with french cuffs, tie and coordinating pocket square.

Should my attire be somewhere in the middle? Am I on the right track? Thanks!

 

[HEWSINATOR]

I don't know what your firm is like, but if no tuxes are necessary, to me, that would mean dark suit. I would not dress too ostentatiously. That is, I would lay off the pocket square, thefrench cuffs, and though against my better judgement, I would keep a spread collar.

Again, depends what the others are like, but if you have not seen anyone else wear a 3pc suit, or a pocket square, don't be the first. Unwanted attention.

 

[Matt S]

Option 2, but without vest, sounds appropriate. Since it said "no tuxes necessary" that would be one step down.

 

[ter1413]

Originally Posted by Matt S

Option 2, but without vest, sounds appropriate. Since it said "no tuxes necessary" that would be one step down.

+1 if the only 2 choices are what you listed.

 

[bandar]

Thanks for the input. I'll go with the option 2 without the vest. I have seen pocket squares and french cuffs around the firm when partners wear suits (by default the firm is business casual), but have yet to see a vest. Thanks!

 

[Parker]

Dark suit, dark tie. Ditch the matching pocket square.

 

[scurvyfreedman]

I'd go with #2, but make sure pocket square didn't match the tie. If by coordinating, you meant complementary as oppossed to matching, then no correction needed.

 

[bandar]

Coordinating did mean complementary, i.e. not the same pattern as the tie. I think a pocket square that exactly matched the tie would be a bit (or more) tacky.

 

[ebmk3891]

I have something similar with my company tomorrow (just started a couple weeks ago). I was going to wear navy pinstripe slacks, button down, tie and a gray sportscoat. Should I opt for a suit with a button down and no tie instead?