What Should I Wear?
One of the most frequent questions I get asked is “How do I tell people what to wear?” or a basic “What should I wear?” so I scoured all my sources and talked to colleagues to come up with our own drawings and descriptions of what each type of attire means. The general rule is overdressed is better than underdressed, but hopefully this helps!
White Tie
This is the most formal of all dress codes, think James Bond, state dinners and the Oscars; this is your chance to walk the red carpet.
He should wear:
· A long black jacket with tails, a white pique vest and a bow tie with formal black shoes. White gloves are appropriate.
She should wear:
A formal, full-length ball gown. Glamorous makeup, dramatic jewelry and fancy hair are also appropriate.
Semi-Formal
This dress code calls for a just slightly dressier version of your most casual look or more formal than what you would wear to the office, somewhere between formal and casual. Wear darker, more formal hues for an evening party; opt for light colors and fabrics for a daytime event. Keep in mind that semi-formal still has the word "formal" in the description. You still want to look elegant and sophisticated.
He should wear:
· A suit, dark or light depending on the season and time of day or dinner jacket and slacks can also be worn. Consider adding a little flair with an elegant pocket square or wristwatch.
She should wear:
· A cocktail dress (perfect for a little black dress) or a dressy skirt and top. A well-tailored pantsuit or a dressy jumpsuit paired with tasteful jewelry is also an excellent option.
Dressy Casual or Casual Chic
This is an invitation to wear that cute weekend look that you love. Slightly more dressed-up than your most casual look, this form of attire is asking you to show off your style. Choose cute separates, such as a skirt and short-sleeve, a button-up shirt, and add all kinds of accessories, from jewelry and scarves to quirky sandals and hats. DO NOT wear shorts, sneakers or polos. No jeans or t-shirts. Dress to impress, but like you didn’t try too hard.
He should wear:
· Dress pants with a button-down, tie optional. Or a funky jacket with a more casual buttoned shirt.
She should wear:
· A summer sundress or a skirt or pants with a nice blouse. Makeup and hair can be natural.
Black Tie
This is the next most formal dress code and usually means the event is an evening affair. This means everyone is dressed up and ready to impress.
He should wear:
· A tuxedo. A black bow tie, cummerbund and patent leather/black shoes are also suggested.
She should wear:
· A chic cocktail dress, jumpsuit or a long evening gown. Glamourous makeup and jewelry are also appropriate here.
Cocktail
This is slightly less formal than black tie optional, which means no tux required for men and no floor-length gown required for women.
He should wear:
· A suit, or a shirt and tie with dressy slacks. Lean toward darker hues in chillier months, and feel free to opt for lighter grays or blues in warmer weather.
She should wear:
· A short cocktail dress, dressy suit or jumpsuit. When in doubt, wear a little black dress and dress it up with fun jewelry—or, if you’d rather wear color, opt for something bright and fun.
Casual or Daytime
Generally, casual means anything goes—but jeans, shorts and tank tops are probably not appropriate unless they're specifically noted as acceptable. You can likely assume business casual to be on the safe side.
He should wear:
· Dress pants with a button-down shirt or polo, sleeves could be rolled up.
She should wear:
· A summer sundress or a skirt or pants with a nice blouse, a fun romper is also appropriate. Makeup and hair can be natural.
Formal or Black Tie Optional
Formal attire can encompass black tie and/or white tie. Men can never go wrong with a well-tailored tuxedo, and women will always look glamorous in a gown. Sometimes the intention is to be slightly less formal than black tie. This means that a tuxedo might not be required for the guys, but the event is still formal enough for one to be appropriate. If you aren't sure how formal to dress, always choose the more formal option. You never want to be underdressed. If you feel too dressed up, take off your bowtie or cummerbund and ladies, let your hair down.
He should wear:
· A tuxedo or formal dark suit and tie.
She should wear:
· A long evening dress, dressy suit or formal cocktail-length dress. Hair and makeup can be more understated.
Beach Formal
This suggests an elegant beach wedding—so dress to impress, but also dress for the elements (sun, sand and water). Anything you'd wear to a nice restaurant on a summer night is appropriate.
He should wear:
· A summer suit with a linen shirt (no ties required), linen pants (or khakis) and shoes in the style of Sperry’s or loafers.
She should wear:
· A formal summer sundress at tea or knee length with sandals. Makeup and hair can be natural.
Illustrations by Carly Sponzo.
For more check out her stuff on her website and Instagram!
Inspired by an article from www.theknot.com (published 9/14/2020) and Emily Post Etiquette.