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It’s fall, which means two things: nice weather and social functions. Your lineup includes two black-tie events and one business casual event. What does that mean anyway? What are you supposed to wear? Here are some of the most commonly-used event dress codes defined just for your benefit. Cut out this section and tape it to your closet door—it just might prove even more useful than your timeless little black dress.
Business Casual:
You’re told to dress in this style when attending professional functions that aren’t quite formal. Men usually wear button-down, collared shirts with khakis and women wear a simple top with dress pants or a skirt.
Dressy Casual:
This style entails dressing up casual clothing. Jeans, however, should be left in the closet. To achieve the dressy-casual look, sportswear is usually worn. Basically, by putting on anything that must be ironed, you will easily nail the look and present yourself in a clean way. Tailored blazers or sleek dress pants are prime clothing options to achieve this look.
Semi-Formal:
Semi-formal may also be called “After Five” or “cocktail attire.” This garb tends to be more formal than that of dressy casual. Usually women will wear cocktail dresses or short skirts, and men dress in dark suits. So save the tux and ball gown for another night.
Black Tie:
Synonymous with formal, black tie indicates that men wear tuxedo suits in dark colors and women have the option of either a knee-length cocktail dress or a floor-length evening gown. One variation of the black tie look is the creative black tie. Creative implies that some part of the outfit is unique to you. Have fun with accessories and pair an ornate clutch or bold necklace with a simple dress. For men, try wearing atypical shoes with the tux. Just remember, only do this if the dress code includes the word “creative”—otherwise, keep it simple and classic.
White Tie:
The most formal event type of event is white tie. This term indicates that men should be clothed in a white tie and shirt under a three-piece suit consisting of a vest, blazer and pants, and women are clothed in long evening gowns. Lucky you if you’re invited to an over-the-top occasion such as this!
Festive Attire:
This term should not be too difficult to figure out. Basically festive attire is holiday clothing and typically implies either a semi-formal or informal look. Try to keep the bottom as dark as possible; to be safe, wear black pants or a black skirt. The top, however, could be a bold holiday color such as red, green or royal blue.
Now, when you eventually buy your outfit for the CS40 event this weekend or that Christmas dinner next month, you’ll know exactly what to wear!
-Stay Stylish!
Sources:
http://www.evite.com/app/cms/party/expert-tips/party-attire
http://fashion.about.com/cs/glossary/a/partydefinition.htm
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