Styling Evening Shirts for Men

Evening wear is often used interchangeably with formal wear. The same is the case with men's shirts. Evening shirts are often confused with formal shirts and are limited to a series of classic shades and styles.

But, we think that evening shirts for men are a great way to experiment and express your personality. Not only does it allow you to bring variation to your wardrobe but also to explore designs and styles that you would have otherwise steered clear of.

Introducing evening shirts

Evening shirts for men can typically be found in the formal wear category. The biggest difference that you'll notice between formal shirts and evening shirts is the colour. There is a huge range of colour options available for evening shirts, whereas formal shirts don't come with too much variety.

As the name suggests, evening shirts would be a preferred choice for dinner parties and formal occasions that take place in the evening. You can style evening shirts in a variety of ways as long as your comfort and style are what you are focusing on. Purchasing an evening shirt is an investment. There are chances that you won’t be purchasing too many in one go so make sure you invest wisely.

The men’s fashion industry is evolving every day and if you want to up your fashion game and bring in some twists – the two important words for you are research and experiment.

Play the colour game

The one thing that any fashion expert will tell you is that you need to be particular about the colours you choose. Everything that men’s fashion has experienced with respect to colours is now being reconsidered. Softer hues or classics are making way for bolder colours, especially for evening shirts. In the workspace, subtle colours are still preferred lest you attract attention for the wrong reasons.

Colours that you can experiment with are teal, maroon, red, navy blue, salmon pink, and purple. While evening shirts were always available in shades of charcoal grey, blacks, and blues it’s time to break the mold and bring in a little variation.

While evening wear does leave more space for bolder hues, your pastels can also find equal representation. Pair a pink evening shirt with a deep rust blazer with a pair of chinos or straight fit trousers and you have got yourself a look that is stylish and comfortable at the same time.

Fit

Now one can’t ignore the importance of fit for men’s fashion and the case is no different when it comes to evening shirts. Your fit is a testament to your fashion sensibilities and also makes or breaks a look. If your look isn’t the best in the room but your fit is on point, you will stand out for your confidence.

Classic fit evening shirts

The classic fit is a timeless fit that has been in style for ages. Typically it has a broader cut across the shoulders and tends to give a boxier shape. Definitely, number one in terms of comfort, a classic fit evening shirt should be your choice when you are building your wardrobe. Since there is a lot of room when you are wearing a classic fit shirt, it is a good idea to complement it with a jacket, depending on the occasion.

A classic fit evening shirt is a smart choice if you know the event or the party is going to go on till the wee hours of the morning.

Modern fit evening shirts

Now the modern fit has slowly but firmly made its presence felt. It is ideal for you if you are someone who chooses comfort over everything else. Also known as the contemporary fit, evening shirts in this fit are the most preferred. The contemporary fit offers you more space around the sleeves and the body. You can easily pair it with a jacket or choose to let your evening shirt take the limelight. If you are heading out for an evening where dance is going to be a big part of the evening, we highly recommend this.

Slim Fit and Super Slim Fit

Over time, slim fits have garnered a lot of attention. Ideal for those who are lean, the slim fit evening shirt accentuates all your strong points. A slim fit shirt will definitely be a little snug so it’s recommended for those who are confident in their style and body type. The shirt sits close to the body and has a narrower yoke. The tapered waist is another feature that can be slightly uncomfortable if you are on the heavier side.

A slim fit evening shirt may bring out all your strong points but it does restrict movement. It’s not the best choice if you want to simply enjoy an evening out without worrying about your clothes. It is, however, an ideal choice for social gatherings or cocktails dinners where there isn’t too much movement.

Prints and solids

Just like your colour game has to be strong so does your style game. Are you a fan of printed shirts or are solids your go to design aesthetic? When it comes to evening shirts, you can experiment with both choices. Solids lend a lot of character to evening shirts whereas prints and stripes add an element of fun and playfulness. Depending on the occasion, you can choose what works best for you.

The thumb rule when choosing printed evening shirts is to not go overboard with a riot of colours or prints. Let there be symmetry or a balance. Too many colours and prints can take away from the look and you may end up with a chaotic and messy evening look. Instead, stick to your design sensibilities and let comfort guide you.