What to Wear for a Night Out: Men’s Outfits for Every Occasion

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Getting ready for a night out is an exciting ritual, but with the level of self-expression infused into men’s fashion nowadays, it’s also a great opportunity to showcase some personal style. Whether it’s a gathering with the boys or a raging party at one of the hottest clubs in the city, the right outfit is a confidence booster that can play a big part in shaping your evening. 

After all, you wouldn’t wear a black-tie outfit to a casual sports bar or show up to a formal dinner in a graphic tee and sneakers. It’s about matching your outfit to the occasion and sprinkling in elements of a signature look. While you will find a large selection of casinos in Michigan, live jazz clubs, craft breweries, and other unique venues that’ll make for an unforgettable evening, each of these entertainment options requires a different look.

So, without further ado, let’s answer the age-old question: “What should I wear?”

Casual Hangouts

Casual hangouts don’t necessarily require the same amount of attention to detail as attending a formal function or special occasion, but that doesn’t mean you have to attend one feeling and looking like you just rolled out of bed. Occasions like grabbing food at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant or relaxing with a group of friends at home call for a better balance between style and comfort—with emphasis on the comfort part.

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Athleisurewear often provides the best of both worlds, letting you play with textures, lengths, and colors while staying extra comfy and still looking stylish. For example, slouchy sweats with a fitted T-shirt or blending muted tones with a bold statement item can elevate your look. Wearing a plain outfit? Accessorizing will do just the trick, making an otherwise unexciting getup a little more interesting. Layering with jackets or adding jewelry or a statement belt are all great ways to jazz things up.

Date Nights

Date nights require some extra thought—especially if you’re going on a first date. Unlike if you were hanging out with friends you’ve known since high school or close family members, the unfamiliarity of the situation can add pressure to make a good impression. However, take it as a chance to show off your personality and match your clothes to the theme of the evening. 

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The first consideration should be where you’re going. If you’ve planned a classic date at a nice restaurant, go with a smart casual approach—not too casual or too formal. Clothing items like button-up shirts, casual blazers, chinos, henleys, laid-back boots, or simple, slip-on sneakers are all appropriate for the occasion. These ideas still apply to more casual dates like bowling or a picnic, but you might want to dress down a bit more with fitted t-shirts, short-sleeve button-ups, tailored shorts, or fitted jeans. Dressing for a date serves a dual purpose—it shows your date that you care and can dress appropriately for the setting while giving you that lift in self-esteem you’ll want for the evening.

Formal Events

Formal events include weddings, galas, corporate functions, cocktail parties—any event with a specified formal dress code. At formal events, fashion is everything. Each part of the outfit is chosen much more intentionally, and you need to exude a level of sophistication. But this doesn’t necessarily mean more stress. For men, there’s a general framework to follow that makes getting dressed for these events a lot easier.

Reliable outfit choices include a tailored suit or a tuxedo, depending on the level of formality expected, which can be considered a lot less complicated than women’s formal wear, which includes more considerations and options overall. If you aren’t bold enough to step out of your comfort zone, always rely on classic pieces like a crisp white dress shirt, a basic tie, loafers, a leather belt, and a well-fitting suit jacket. 

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The key is to wear items that fit you, and go for blacks, dark blues, and grays if you’re not ready for pops of color yet. If you are, pastels can be fantastic for summer, and burgundy and forest green are interesting alternatives for staple pieces. Ready to put on the finishing touches? French cuffs can be dressed up with some unique cufflinks, and a properly folded pocket square can complete your outfit.

Parties and Clubs

Parties and clubs present a different challenge—choosing an outfit that gives you enough mobility to dance. Even if you aren’t usually the first one on the dance floor, you still want to be ready to mingle in the crowd when the time is right. Different venues will have different rules; for example, some clubs might ban athletic wear and overly casual clothing, while others might have fewer restrictions.

Clubs are a great place to express your personality, even more so than a regular get-together. It’s a place where people are there solely to have fun, meaning vibrant colors, patterns, and interesting accessories aren’t always a bad choice. As a whole, men often opt for black and other dark colors for a sharp look, going for clean sneakers or loafers, fitted button-up shirts and other collared variants, and dark denim or chinos. Simple usually does it unless you’re going to a themed party with certain color codes or costume requirements. In those cases, you’ll want to abide by the theme as closely as possible.

Written by Megan Taylor
Megan is a beauty expert who is passionate about all things makeup and glam! Her love for makeup has brought her to become a beauty pro at Glamour Garden Cosmetics.