Event Planning

 

Banish pre-party jitters about attire with our quick reference to dress codes for social events.

Black Tie: means formal. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

White Tie: means ultra-formal. Men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, shirt. Women wear long gowns.

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.

Ultra-formal: means White Tie. Men wear full dress, with white tie, vest, shirt. Women wear long gowns.

Black Tie Optional: means you have the option of wearing a tuxedo, 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.

Black Tie Invited: means you have the option of wearing a tuxedo, 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: 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(maybe a long lace or sequined skirt with a sleek cashmere sweater).

Semi-formal: is the trickiest of all dress codes. Usually it 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.

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

Dressy Casual: usually means no jeans or shorts. Similar to business casual, but a tad dressier.

Casual: generally means anything goes.

Informal: can mean the same as casual. However, when associated with a wedding or other special event, some form of decorum and good taste should prevail. A dress for her or a nice pair of slacks and shirt for him are informal, but respectful of the event.