Special Occasion Dress Codes

So you’ve received your invitation to your year end work function or friends’ cocktail party or new years’ party or another company function? You’ve RSVP’d (please do as most people don’t), found a babysitter, etc. but don’t have a clue of what to wear!

Most invitations indicate the dress code but you’ll be surprised at how many people don’t know what the various dress codes mean. And today is your lucky day as I will take you through the various options and the appropriate apparel.

Before I get into that, I thought I might share a story with you. Recently I was invited to a function at a fancy restaurant. The invitation indicate that dress code to be “business suit” but when the coordinators called to confirm our attendance they indicated to another lady that “black-tie” and “business suit” was the same thing. So I started receiving calls from the other invitees on advice about this and to please contact these people to clear the confusion. Well I did but it was clear that they had no clue – they even went so far as to say that “black-tie” means everyone has to preferably wear black. But, once I chatted to them I realized that they were not educated in the various dress codes – strange since this should be part of their events co-ordinating training. Anyway I mailed them a copy of the various dress codes and I hope they use the info.

So to get back to this article, there are various dress codes, for example black tie, semi-formal, formal, cocktail, etc. and I will cover all the once I know as there are many “new age” ones popping up all the time i.e. “urban chic” – black, denim, and leather.

I’ll start from the most to the least dressy:-

o White Tie
Women only long formal evening gowns or ball gowns. Long gloves are often worn as well. A woman may keep he gloves on during cocktails, when dancing but remove during dinner.
Men wear black coats with tails and white pique vests, worn over a white formal shirt, a white bow tie and black patent shoes.

o Black Tie
Women wear long evening gowns or dressy evening separates. The idea is to look fabulous and to not to dress the way you normally would. Traditional dressing has also become very acceptable i.e. Sari’s and ethnic wear.

Men wear traditional black tuxedos with a formal white shirt, black bow tie and black cumberband. They may also choose to individualize their outfit by wearing an unusual tie or coloured bow ties and cumberbands.
Non traditional shirts and jackets are often worn to events labeled “creative black tie”.

o Black Tie –Optional
Women can wear a short or long cocktail dress or dressy suit.
Men can wear tuxedo or very dark suit with a white shirt and conservative tie.

o Business Suit
Women wear business suits and formal dresses – just think about what you’ll wear to a high profile business meeting but finish off with a fabulous evening bag, jewellery and sexy heels.

o Formal/Informal
This attire usually occurs on wedding or birthday invitations – and the time of day determines the dress.
If the event occurs before 6pm women may wear a tailored suit or pretty daytime dress – but avoid black.
Men can wear dress slack, shirt and tie – with jacket depending on the weather.
If the event occurs after 6pm women should wear a cocktail dress, dinner suit or dressy separates. Black is fine after 6pm.
Men wear dark suits or dinner jackets.

o Smart Casual
Women can wear smart denims or slacks with dressy tops/blouses
Men can wear chinos or denims with casual shirts

o Cocktail
Women wear sexy but classy dresses, dressy suits.
Men wear slacks and casual shirts – preferably no ties.

Especially with office parties – avoid revealing clothing. Hectic cleavage and thighs are a huge no-no. Just remember you still have to go back to work the next day or the Monday and face the gossiping and whispering.

Hopefully this covers all the options but when all else fails call and ask the host/hostess or contact me for some free advice. So good luck and happy partying!

Yours sincerely, in strappy heels and some bling

Source of article ~

Colette Apolles
Cherry Jane Image Design cc
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