The Most Common Dress Codes

As previously mentioned, dress codes can be confusing.  When in doubt, consider the following suggestions from Emily Post.

 

Image credit to blog host

 

Dress Code	Likely Occasions	Men	Women
White Tie	Weddings, Charity Events	Black tailcoat, matching trousers with a single stripe of satin or braid in the US; two stripes in Europe or the UK white piqué wing-collared shirt with stiff front white vest white-colored (e.g., mother of pearl) studs and cufflinks white bow tie white or gray gloves black patent shoes and black dress socks	Formal (floor length) evening gown
Black Tie	Weddings, Charity Events	Black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers formal (piqué or pleated front) white shirt black-colored (e.g., onyx) studs and cufflinks black bow tie (silk, shiny satin or twill) black cummerbund to match tie, or a vest dressy suspenders to ensure a good fit (optional) black patent shoes and black dress socks no gloves. In summer or on a cruise: white dinner jacket, black tuxedo trousers plus other black tie wardrobe	Formal (floor length) evening gown dressy cocktail dress Your dressiest little black dress
Creative Black Tie	Themed Weddings, the Kentucky Derby, Charity Events	Tuxedo combined with trendy or whimsical items, such as a black shirt or a matching colored or patterned bow tie and cummerbund	Formal (floor length) evening gown dressy cocktail dress your dressiest little black dress fun or unique accessories
Black Tie Optional	Weddings, Formal Events, Charity Events	Either a tuxedo (see ‘Black Tie’ above) or Dark suit, white shirt, and conservative tie dressy leather shoes and dark dress socks	Formal (floor length) evening gown dressy cocktail dress a little black dress dressy separates
Semiformal	Cocktail Events, Some Weddings, Charity Events	Dark, business suit matching vest (optional) dress shirt conservative tie dressy leather shoes and dark dress socks	Short afternoon or cocktail dress a little black dress long dressy skirt and top dressy separates
Festive Attire	Holiday Parties (mostly)	Seasonal sport coat or blazer in color of choice, and slacks open-collar shirt dress shirt and optional “festive” or holiday-themed tie	Cocktail dress or long dressy skirt and top dressy pants outfit or separates a little black dress feature holiday colors and accessories
Business Formal	Work, Interviews, Board Meetings, Networking Events (but always check the company dress code)	Dark business suit matching vest (optional) dress shirt conservative tie dressy leather shoes and dark dress socks	Suit business-style dress dress with a jacket stockings (optional in summer) heels, low or highs
Business Casual	Work, Interviews, Board Meetings, Networking Events (but always check the company dress code)	Seasonal sport coat or blazer with slacks or khakis dress shirt with optional tie, or casual button-down shirt open-collar or polo shirt loafers or loafer-style shoes and socks	Skirt, khakis or pants open-collar shirt, knit shirt, or sweater (no spaghetti straps or decolleté) casual-style dress
Dressy Casual	Luncheons, Brunch, Teas, Happy Hours	Seasonal sport coat or blazer and slacks dress shirt, casual button-down shirt optional tie open-collar or polo shirt	Dress skirt and dressy top dressy pants outfit nice jeans and dressy top
Casual	Planned Events that do not fall in the above categories and have no stated dress code, like company barbecues or picnics	Khakis or good jeans (clean, no holes) cargo or Bermuda shorts—depending on occasion and climate plain t-shirt (no slogans), polo shirt, or turtleneck casual button-down shirt sweater loafers, sneakers (with or without socks), or sandals	Sundress long or short skirt khakis or nice jeans shorts (depending on occasion and climate) plain t-shirt (no slogans), polo shirt, or turtleneck casual button-down blouse

On Dress Codes (Spoken or Otherwise)

"Etiquette and Protocol" found on SquidPig's deviant art page

Formal invitations always list an attire suggestion, but even non-formal occasions require a dress code; these are often confusing and hard to decipher.  What’s the difference between black tie and white tie?  And what’s the ratio of business to casual in business casual anyway?  Why does it all matter as long as you’re wearing clothing at all?  I recently attended a scholarship luncheon for my alma mater as an alumni chapter representative.  Six recipients were each awarded at least $1000 in scholarships.  One of the recipients attended wearing jeans and a tshirt.  Doesn’t it seem disrespectful to attend a luncheon held in your honor with the donors present while wearing jeans and a tshirt?  I think so.

First: why do dress codes even matter?  The world around us is increasingly more casual with the constant advent of new technology.  Actually, attire is one of the few categories where etiquette still tends to be followed and this probably has a great deal to do with fear of how other people react.  Even I am perpetuating that notion by saying wearing jeans and a tshirt at a scholarship luncheon was disrespectful. (Especially in light of how much money was being awarded to him—not that the money should make the difference!)  But why?  We can bring cell phones to dinner, but we can’t wear what we please?

Societal norms change constantly.  These days, it is okay to bring a cell phone to dinner, because everyone else does.  It is okay to send emails at weird hours, because everyone else does.  It is okay to be pushy or impatient in airports or restaurants, because everyone else does it too.  These things shouldn’t be okay, but they are.  And yet, you can’t wear jeans and a tshirt to a luncheon—or you shouldn’t—because everyone else’s opinion matters.  You’re making a first impression, or at least an impression of yourself, with your outfit.

That’s really all it is.  Let’s make a comparison using the luncheon’s semi-casual cousin: brunch.  If you’re going to brunch with your friends, you can probably wear jeans and a tshirt.  But, if you’re going to brunch with your significant other’s parents (within the first few times you have met them, and especially the first time), what will you wear then?  You’ll probably put on something nicer.  The reason?  As I said before, fear of other peoples’ opinions.  Your friends have already formed an opinion on you and that’s not likely to change because of whatever you decide to wear that day.  Your significant other’s parents, on the other hand, could form other opinions on the rest of your life based on how you were dressed.  You want those to be good opinions, so you throw on something nicer in the beginning.  And then the hope is that at some point the parents will add “just likes to wear jeans and a tshirt” to your list of qualities.

How do we best combat fear of other peoples’ opinions?  The timeless advice is: it’s okay to be a little overdressed.  This advice is timeless for a reason.  No one will blink an eye if you wore something just a bit above whatever the stated or assumed dress code happened to be.  There are times when other people will give your attire the side eye, but the vast majority of the time, you will know that’s how they would react (if you were to wear a cocktail dress or a suit at a barbecue, for instance).  So, what do you do when you’re confused?

Go here:  The most common dress codes and the events you’re likely to see them at.