What it means: It's a little fancier than semi-formal (read: the hemlines are longer), but it's not quite cocktail attire. Rather, it's the best of both worlds: maximum color, minimum fuss.

For men this normally means formal black suit with a shirt and tie or bow-tie. • Cocktail attire: Suggests a semi-formal look, such as knee-length dresses or sophisticated separates. For men smart ...