CSHELL

A couple of weddings and special events are coming up .. and everytime events like these come up, my parents, especially my mom, would ask me what they should wear. Although I pretty much know most dress codes for social events, I still dug in the web and compiled these attire ettiquette:

White Tie

A White Tie or Ultra-formal invitation requires men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, shirt.  Women wear long gowns. White tie is also known as "Strictly Formal".


"strictly formal" would mean a formal dress or gown with a length that hits the floor. It means wearing those fancy wraps and formal jewelry right alongside beaded purses and clutches that have been waiting in your closet for an occasion such as this.


strictly formal affair, gentlemen are required to wear white tie and tails, while ladies should be clad in evening gown.

 

Think about balls, nobel banquets, masquerades, or royal events.

Black Tie

A Black Tie invitation calls for formal attire. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.


Formal usually means the same as Black Tie, but in some trendier cities like New York or Los Angeles, it could mean a black shirt, no tie with a tux. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.


Black Tie Optional

A Black Tie Optional or Black Tie Invited gives you the option of wearing a tuxedo or formal dress, but it should clue you into the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie would be your other option. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.


Creative Black Tie

Creative Black Tie leaves room for trendy interpretations of formal wear. He can go more modern with a tux -- maybe a black shirt, no tie. She wears long or short dresses or evening separates.


Sometimes, themed parties call for dress codes like Texas Black Tie or other variations of Creative Black Tie. In that situation, you can have more fun with it, choosing a dressy look with a theme (for him, it could be a tux with boots and for her it could be a long dress paired with Southwestern style silver belt and jewelry).

Semi-Formal

Semi-Formal or After Five means that tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses. An evening wedding (after 6 PM) would still dictate dark suits for him, and a cocktail dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.


Business Formal is the same as Semi-Formal for him, but for women it suggests that women opt for more tailored dressy suits and dresses (nothing too slinky or sexy).

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him.

Cocktail attire means dressing up as you would for a fancy cocktail party or a fancy dinner. For this mode of dress, the emphasis is on sophistication so strive for elegance and chic as opposed to more romantic, sweet, or pretty dresses. The hemlines are usually just right above or below the knee. Dressy suits work as well.


Informal

Informal is often interpreted as the same as Casual but it actually calls for the same dress as Semi-Formal
 -- dark suits for him, short dresses for her -- especially when associated with a wedding or special event.

Festive Attire is usually seen around the holidays, with the mood of the party being Informal or Semi-Formal. For her, it means to choose looks with a bit of sparkle or holiday bent (i.e. a beaded sweater with black pants, a red silk blouse with a black skirt).

Casual

Dressy Casual calls for dressed-up versions of casual looks. For him, it could be trousers and a sportcoat, for her a dressy pants look. Jeans, shorts, T-shirts and other casual looks are not appropriate for Dressy Casual.

Casual generally means anything goes.



Do's and Don'ts for Her:

* Wedding: Don't wear white because it competes with the bride. There are plenty of other colors available.


* Wedding: Don't wear black or sequins during the daytime.

* Wedding: Don't worry about wearing the same colors as the bridesmaids or mothers. You can't possibly coordinate with everyone in the wedding party.


* Do wear something feminine and appropriate, out of respect for your hosts.

* Clubwear, overtly sexy clothing (strapless, see-through, etc) doesn't belong at a wedding. If you have to ask if it's appropriate, it probably isn't.


* Don't wear opera-length gloves (to top of arm) with anything but sleeveless or strapless gowns.

* Do take off gloves to eat or drink.

* Do use good judgment if the invitation doesn't specify the formality of the event. A pastel suit or soft floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening (after 6 p.m.) will take you almost anywhere.


Do's and Don'ts for Him:

* Don't try to get cute with a tuxedo. A black tux with white shirt and black bow tie is the best way to go. If "Creative Black Tie" or "Texas Formal" or some sort of other vague formal description is used, then going with a tux and black shirt, no tie, might be acceptable.


* Do wear a dark suit, with a tie if the wedding is after 6 PM, and doesn't say "Black Tie."

* Don't wear a tuxedo during the day time, regardless of the formality of the event.

* Do use good judgment if the invitation doesn't specify the formality of the event. A dark suit and conservative tie will take you just about anywhere.