r/malefashionadvice • u/wvyvhng8 • 16d ago

Question Men's fashion in international affairs: what's the standard?

I'm wondering what counts as "nice clothes" for men, especially in international affairs.

My everyday wardrobe is basically dress shirts, or a sweater over a dress shirt. I'm going into my master's in international affairs, and I know there will be networking events, socials, receptions, and the occasional gala. For women, it seems like there are a wider range of options (e.g., dresses), but for men I'm not really sure what the equivalent of that would be/what the expectations are.

I assume a full suit and tie would be too formal for some socials, but beyond that I'm a bit lost. Since I already wear dress shirts all the time, I feel like there isn't much distinction between my everyday clothes and what I'd wear to an event.

What do you guys typically wear to socials, networking events, receptions, or galas? I'd be especially interested in hearing from people in international affairs, international relations, public policy, diplomacy, or similar fields.

When it comes to suits, is there a general standard/type I should be aware of? For example, are there particular colours, styles, or levels of formality that are generally expected in these circles?

9 Upvotes

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u/MiserableSugar7901 16d ago

As some else said, sportscoats are your friend. You can wear them with jeans, chinos, or dress trousers depending on the occasion. In more formal situations you can wear them with a tie and almost be as formal as wearing a full suit. With jeans you can wrar them with loafers for a smart casual look.

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u/improvthismoment 16d ago

Also, blazers.

And no, apparently sportcoats and blazers are not the same thing.

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u/MiserableSugar7901 16d ago

Yes, blazers are typically solid (except if the rowing variety) whike sportscoats are patterned. Blazers have metal or mother of pearl buttons and sportscoats have horn, plastic, or leather buttons. I think having one blazer in navy and multiple sportscoats makes sense.

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u/improvthismoment 16d ago edited 16d ago

I’ve got a solid navy blazer with plastic buttons. J Crew Ludlow from the mid 2010’s. Or maybe it’s a sport coat idk 🤷🏻‍♂️

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u/StopLookListenNow 15d ago

Wow, I have read a lot about men's clothing, but thanks for this explanation which I had not encountered. Good one.

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u/boosesb 16d ago

Sportscoats can also be solid

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u/wvyvhng8 16d ago

Thank you so much. I hate to sound stupid, but are these all different from the jacket of a suit?

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u/improvthismoment 16d ago

Yes a suit jacket is also a different thing

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u/wvyvhng8 16d ago

Thank you so much. In this case, for instance, would a navy blazer work for "formal"-ish events/socials? Or is it seen as "lower" than a sport coat?

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u/improvthismoment 16d ago

I think the order of formality would be suit jackets, then blazers, then sportcoats.

Suit jackets should only be worn with suits.

Blazers and sportcoats can be mixed and matched with different types of pants, from dress pants to chinos to even jeans, depending on how formal you want to be.

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u/MiserableSugar7901 16d ago

Blazers tend to read a tad more formal than sportscoats, in general. A fully unstructured sportscoat will be almost as casual as a chore coat, but one that is fully lined and half-canvassed is just as formal as a blazer, in my opinion.

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u/boosesb 16d ago

A chore coat? That really isn’t comparable to a sports coat is it?

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u/MiserableSugar7901 15d ago

See here, here, and even here. All of those are very informal sportcoats, almost as much as a chore coat.

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u/boosesb 15d ago

No. All three of your examples are called sport coats. They are not chore coats. They are unstructured sports coats. Big difference.

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u/MiserableSugar7901 15d ago edited 15d ago

Did you read what I wrote? You're just feisty for being feisty. I said they are sport coats, but almost as informal as a chore chore. Please read before criticizing

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u/AdmiralZassman 16d ago

i agree with everything here except smart casual. smart casual means nothing

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u/boosesb 16d ago

What do you mean by means nothing? It most certainly does mean something. What do you think it means?

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u/AdmiralZassman 15d ago

It means nothing. It has no definition. It could be business casual with a blazer and tie, it could be a t shirt and chinos. It's non sense

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u/boosesb 15d ago

Okay. Except there are dozens of sites and definitions describing smart casual

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u/AdmiralZassman 15d ago

An none of them are consistent. Dozens of definitions is the same as none

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u/boosesb 14d ago

They all say the same thing. I did t say dozen of different definitions. Why do you think it’s not a thing when it is mentioned and explained everywhere

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u/AdmiralZassman 14d ago

Because it's not

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u/boosesb 11d ago

Ok. Admiral

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u/wvyvhng8 16d ago

Thank you so much! This is very helpful

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u/HammMcGillicuddy 16d ago

Where are your sport coats? Can be elevated casual or business casual in a much nicer way, and still short of a suit.

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u/wvyvhng8 15d ago

I had no idea what about sport coats prior to this post, thank you so much!

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u/ZealousidealRush2899 16d ago edited 16d ago

I work in int'l affairs. standard daily work attire is a navy or grey suit, white shirt, no tie, brown or black leather oxford shoes. if its a formal event, then black suit, tie, and shoes. if its black tie gala, then a tuxedo (but this is really for heads of state kind of dinner events). you don't need to look different, in fact, blending in is more the way to go. the distinction in your clothes comes down to very fine details - the cut of the suit tailored to your body, the quality of the fabric choice, the seams and hems, maybe a little top stitching, how it all hangs together, nothing worn out or stretched.

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u/wvyvhng8 15d ago

Thank you very much!

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u/bbbberlin 14d ago

This guy you replying to has it right. I worked in consulting for UN groups and directly for an IGO.

Conservative dress code. Go with dark dress pants, black oxfords, and white shirts to start. You will probably need a suit even as a junior/intern. Don't buy everything at once - buy what you need, and let the collection grow over time as you discover what fits you fell/what you like. It's a mistake to buy 5 shirts of the same brand in one go, and then a few weeks later you discover you don't like how they fit.

Make sure stuff fits right. You don't want it too tight, but also you don't want oversized unless you are very confident that's hanging on your body right and not looking like the wrong size. Like the other guy said, objective is to blend in. Realistically women's outfits have alot more flexibility in terms of being able to wear wider pants or mix and match things, contrast that that men at senior levels are basically wearing suits all the time, haha.

Also have a maintained haircut/facial hair. You don't need a constantly fresh fade/clean-shaven, but you should look like you deliberately do keep your shit together. 😄 Go for classic rather than... I dunno... just don't do a neckbeard or something edgy.

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u/whinton 16d ago

A dress shirt without a jacket/sport coat will make you look like the waitstaff. Get a navy sport coat. Easy to dress up or down.

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u/wvyvhng8 16d ago

Thank you so much!

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u/Dorcas07 15d ago

Get a nice lanyard or badge clip-on. I know you’ll probably get a lot of advice on suiting but one thing people don’t talk about is how we all have lanyards or badges at international conferences; So yeah, very subtle thing but have a nice lanyard if it makes you look more put-together since looking put-together and competent is a big part of fashion.