What To Wear To Clubs & Why: The Definitive Nightlife Fashion Guide (2024)

[The expert clubbing style guide for ladies has moved here, “What To Wear To Clubs & Why: Nightlife Fashion Guide for Women.”]

Have you ever waited in line at a popular club for hours, only to be haggled at the door with ridiculous cover charges?

Or perhaps you’ve seen other guests skip the long line as they were ushered ahead of you through the velvet ropes?

The culprit here may be what you wear!

Speaking as a club promoter with over a decade of experience, I can tell you that the first thing you should understand about nightlife fashion is that your clubbing outfit should match your expectations of the venue.

Most popular clubs have a reputation for attracting great-looking crowds. But that’s just a result of being selective about the guests they allow to enter – primarily in regard to style.

And, although most venues don’t explain it in detail, there is always a preferred “Dress Code.” After working alongside many a nightclub doorman, I’m an expert on clubbing fashion, and know all the prevalent style preferences, which I collectively call, “The Universal Nightclub Dress Code.”

So, in this definitive nightlife fashion guide for men, I will reveal what most clubs won’t tell you, and clearly explain “What To Wear To Clubs and Why;” I’ll cover the preferred styles for nightclub attire, useful party outfit ideas, and insider tips to help you get into clubs easier, turn a few heads, and maybe even score free entry if your charm skills are up to par!

And, since this is firsthand knowledge from a nightlife professional, not some fashion blogger who is oblivious to the inner workings of the nightlife industry, I will also touch upon the taboo gender biases that change the rules for men and women.

What Men Should Wear To A Club

First, it is important to understand what club attire is:

Club attire is a stylish outfit that is designed based on a combination of current fashion trends and prevailing nightclub dress code standards. “Club styles” will vary depending on the type of club you are attending and its local culture. Essentially, if you craft your clubbing outfit to meet club dress codes, then it is club attire.

Despite popular belief, since different styles are worn for different clubs and various dress codes, there is no such thing as a “club style.”

Generally, when it comes to club attire, men should always wear business casual at the very minimum. A button-down or v-neck shirt with fitted jeans and dress shoes works well for most, if not all, clubbing occasions. The addition of a blazer is ideal and complements almost any clubbing outfit.

Clubs are commonly more strict for men than they are for women. So, to adhere to most dress codes you should always go for a stylish and mature look that gives the impression that you have a little money in your pocket, which nightlife venues unanimously love.

You should also avoid wearing athletic apparel, sneakers, and construction boots. These are commonly restricted items that break club dress codes and are likely to get you turned away at many venues. That is unless you intend to buy bottle service, which trumps all dress codes.

Learn the 6 untold steps to buying bottle service.

Always keep in mind that nightclubs are businesses out to generate revenue from sales, they are not simply public parties open to all. So, they always have a preference for people who will spend money on drinks and target them.

Men tend to struggle a bit more than their counterparts in the fashion arena. So, we’ll go into a bit more detail, with style examples that will meet most nightclub dress code standards:

Business or Formal Wear

“The Best Option For Men For Nightlife Fashion.”

Business formal wear, also considered co*cktail attire, is hands down the best clubbing attire option for men. Culturally, the combination of a matching 2-piece business suit and a button-down shirt with loafers, oxford, or brogue dress shoes signifies maturity and prosperity. A tie is optional since the suit speaks for itself.

For nightlife, the ideal colors for a men’s suit are black, navy blue, or grey solid colors. Just make sure that it is well-fitting. The slim and skinny fit styles are trendy right now. So, if you must, get your suit altered with a tailor to match your measurements perfectly and make your suit fit your body like a glove.

No other style option on this list commands more respect than formal wear or is as widely accepted among nightclub dress codes.

Since most clubs welcome the image of businessmen among their crowds, your options are endless. Even the most judgmental doormen give extra consideration to a group of well-dressed men in suits, and will often usher you in past other guys on the line who chose to wear running sneakers.

Since some doormen want to class up the atmosphere in the venue, business formal wear can also position you to get a little extra VIP treatment at the door, with reduced or free entry without having to buy a bottle!

However, the men’s formal wear style can be a double-edged sword: A suit with shoes is not the most comfortable club attire option for a long night of dancing. Also, some opportunistic doormen may expect you to pop bottles since you are dressed like you have money to spend. Especially at clubs, where you are an anomaly amidst a casually dressed crowd.

Nevertheless, whenever I go out for a night of upscale club hopping, I always lean towards wearing a 2-piece suit as my go-to clubbing outfit. Oh, and ladies love guys in suits – trust me.

Business Casual or Smart Casual

“Great Fashion For Any Occasion.”

Business casual wear is “business on the top, and a party on the bottom,” and the perfect balance between comfortable and classy. This is a go-to style that should dominate your wardrobe for both fashion and flexibility, and is appropriate for almost any occasion in the nightlife from clubbing, to dating, and social networking events.

Dress codes often refer to the business casual style as “smart casual,” and their similarities make the terms fairly synonymous. Business casual wear works for both upscale and low-brow venues, and is universally accepted by clubs or lounges – so you will rarely seem out of place in it.

To pull the business casual style off flawlessly, you will need a strong sense of coordination. Throwing a blazer over a button-down shirt with skinny jeans or slim-fit cropped slacks can be a game-changer, adding a splash of class to a simple outfit. Fashion boots, loafers, or brogue shoes are the ideal footwear options to complete the package.

If you are going to a casual venue, you may be able to dress down a bit and opt for a comfortable pair of fresh, low top black or white leather sneakers if it compliments the outfit. But whatever you do, take care not to kill the vibe with very sporty and colorful kicks, like basketball sneakers, even if they are a pair of fresh Jordans that dropped yesterday.

Color coordination is also a big factor that takes the business casual wear style up a notch. So, I highly recommend colorful blazers to make your club outfits “pop.” There are plenty of colors that you can’t go wrong with:

• Reds
• Blues
• Pinks
• Any pastel colors

You can’t tell me anything when I match up a pastel pink with a white v-neck, skinny blue jeans with subtle rips, and some fresh oxfords. That simple smart casual menswear combo knocks most other guys in the club out of the box – and ladies love colorful ensembles!

After over 10 years in the nightlife business, I have yet to see a doorman give someone in business casual wear a hard time entering unless the outfit was ill-fitting or not well put together – so, get your measurements right and press your clothes!

Although you won’t stand out in the same way as you would with a 2-piece suit, when you are looking for a night out but not sure what type of venues you may go to, then business casual is the most flexible option. Now, if you are attending a rave or underground party, that may be a different story.

Urban Fashion or Streetwear

“A Good Choice In The Right Places.”

Urban fashion is best when it is fresh, clean, and trendy. This is a style that few guys have the innate skill and impeccable fashion sense to pull off without looking like they are High School students.

Since urban fashion is highly dependent upon the latest popular streetwear fashion trends, it is best reserved for fashion-forward trendsetters. For example, a great clubbing outfit idea would include a blue denim jacket, V-neck shirt, cropped ripped blue jeans or capris, and a pair of Gucci high tops for a fresh-to-death urban fashion combo that will work for many clubs.

However, I recommend wearing urban fashion exclusively for clubs that cater to younger audiences and hip-hop crowds. These clubs tend to be a bit more casual, open to old-school or new-school streetwear styles, and don’t have strict dress codes that adhere to mainstream fashion like most popular, upscale clubs do.

Just keep in mind that urban fashion and any streetwear style are often subject to superficial judgment, and stereotypes, and carry negative connotations for many people, including doormen/door women at clubs. It’s rather obvious since clubs will often make a point to post, “No Timberland boots,” among their few dress code restrictions.

And, don’t expect most doormen to know the latest urban fashion trends or recognize your designer Chloe or Balenciaga sneakers to give you the respect or adoration you feel they are due. Rather than pay homage to your expensive footwear, doormen are more likely to charge you a higher cover or require a $1k minimum for bottle service to enter.

Learn How Bottle Service Really Works at Clubs

The fact is, many popular clubs don’t even permit athletic sneakers – unless they are on the feet of bottle clients. So, if you want to wear urban fashion to the hottest club in town, be sure to check the nightclub’s dress code, nightclub information websites, and reviews from guests who have been there first. Then adjust your clubbing outfit appropriately.

5 Simple Clubbing Outfit Tips For Guys

In case all of this was a lot to absorb, let’s wrap up what we learned in this article with 5 easy-to-remember clubbing outfit tips that work without overthinking it too much:

1. Wearing a blazer can make your semi-casual outfit pop. Bright colors look great, but dark blues or blacks are best for functionality to avoid stains.
2. A button-down or v-neck shirt are go-to tops for any clubbing outfit.
3. A pair of skinny jeans or slim-fit slacks work for most occasions. A few rips are ok, but don’t overdo it.
4. Fashion boots or brogues shoes are ideal choices for footwear. A pair of clean, fashionable sneakers works at some clubs.
5. You can never go wrong with a business suit and oxfords – it’s a staple in any man’s wardrobe.

And, when clubbing, you should always travel light. So, men should limit accessories to a wallet to store identification cards, credit cards, cash, and a phone. Although a fashionable watch, pinky ring, or stylish bracelet could be a great addition to an outfit, it’s best to avoid bringing any loose accessories or valuables that are so expensive it would be devastating if they were lost.

For your convenience, here’s a handy dandy infographic summarizing these expert clubbing style tips as a quick reference guide to inspire your outfit ideas:

Practical Men’s Fashion Tips For Comfort

It’s not always all about what the club wants. So, here are some club wear style tips that will help maintain some personal comfort for those long party nights.

1. Business Casual wear is comfortable and will get you into most clubs. And it may have you among the best dressed in the room.
2. co*cktail Attirecan be coupled with comfortable shoes – a tasteful pair of slip-on loafers or moccasins could offer relief without sacrificing style
3. Be “Sexy but classy.” You don’t need to wear an uncomfortably tight muscle shirt to stand out. Let your style speak louder than your muscles.

A Dirty Little Nightlife Industry Secret

If you follow the tips in this clubbing style guide, then you are bound to improve your experiences when you go out clubbing.

But, there is one important, and far too common, bias you should be aware of. Popular clubs often favor people who look like “models.” Which is typically the Westernized image of beauty that idealizes fair skin and slender physiques.

This is a perception that puts many guests at a disadvantage, and one that I’ve challenged throughout my nightlife career. Which is why I do my best to keep my guests diversified, as you can see on the promotional side of this website.

Also, clubs also tend to be ageist, preferring younger crowds between 21 – 40. But, for men, clubs won’t care how old you are if you are a big spender (and of legal drinking age, of course). Nevertheless, that shouldn’t stop you from clubbing at any age you want to.

So, take an extra 15 minutes to throw on that blazer and iron a button-down shirt. It’s a small investment of time and effort that will make a huge impact on the success of your night out!

Just remember my motto, “It is ALWAYS better to be overdressed than underdressed.”

To perfect your clubbing styles, read my article, “What Not Wear To Clubs and Why” next.

Or, help your girlfriend(s) level up with my expert recommendations for women’s clubbing outfits with my popular article, “What To Wear To Clubs and Why: Nightlife Fashion Guide for Women.”

Lastly, if you are want my expert opinion on what to wear for specific types of clubs, visit my new, first of its kind, “Men’s Clubbing Outfit Generator!“

If you love to party and want to find a great club promoter in NYC, connect with me on Instagram @nezalpha and my brand @alwaysthevip.

And bookmark this for the best resources about the latest nightlife trends, the best parties to go to, and more nightlife insider secrets that no other website can offer since they never worked in the business!

Cheers!