DRESS CODES – THESE ARE THE 5 MOST COMMON
How do you keep your personal style, but still conform to the dress code specified on the invitation? The purpose of the dress code is to make it easier for guests to dress properly for the event, but sometimes the terms are difficult to decode and in some cases they might even be perceived as outdated. We’ll explain the dress codes and give you some tips on what is traditionally expected. Seem boring? Well just remember that rules are made to be broken.
SMART CASUAL
Smart casual is the most relaxed dress code. If you receive a party invitation with this dress code, then it’s likely to be a daytime event such as a business lunch, a simple dinner or a more laid-back christening. Smart casual means that your jacket and trousers don’t need to match, as is the case when wearing a suit. Instead, you’re meant to wear trousers that are a different colour and fabric from your jacket. These might be pair of chinos or flannel trousers. Under the jacket, you can opt for a solid colour or a patterned shirt in the colour of your choice, plus whatever accessories you prefer to suit your taste and appearance. For women, smart casual means you can wear a dress, skirt, jumpsuit or trousers. Read more about what’s customary for the smart casual dress code.
JACKET
If you receive an invitation with the jacket dress code, then you might be invited to events such as an informal wedding or graduation party, or perhaps a slightly more formal business lunch. When the invitation says jacket, you might be tempted to throw a jacket on top of the outfit of your choice, but if you want to follow the traditional dress code, then it isn’t really that straightforward. Here, wearing a suit with a matching jacket and trousers in the same colour and fabric is what’s expected. Unlike the cocktail dress code, a lighter colour suit can also be worn on these types of occasions. So why not wear a beige linen suit in the summer or a heavier patterned suit in the winter? For women, you’re free to choose the colour and pattern of your dress, long dress, skirt, trousers or jumpsuit. Traditionally, skirts or dresses should not be shorter than the knees and not be longer than to the ankle. Read more about what’s customary for the jacket dress code.
DARK SUIT
Receiving an invitation specifying a cocktail dress code is not uncommon, and this usually applies to more sophisticated events such as a wedding or anniversary celebration. If you follow the classic attire for a cocktail dress code, then a dark blue or dark grey suit is customarily worn with a white shirt and tie or bow tie. For women, there are a few more options – as with other dress codes, you can choose from a dress, skirt, trousers or a jumpsuit. Choose a skirt that’s not shorter than the knee but no longer than to the ankle, as longer dresses are usually reserved for other more formal dress codes. Read more tips about how the cocktail dress code works.
BLACK TIE
Have you been invited to a black tie event and not been sure how to dress for the occasion? For glamorous celebrations such as weddings or a New Year’s Eve party, the black tie dress code is common, so here are a few tips if you want to adhere to the code all the way. The black tie dress code offers little or virtually no room for personal interpretation. Tradition states that a dinner suit is either black or midnight blue and the shirt is always white with a pleated chest that you top with a black bow velvet bow tie. You can add a waistcoat or cummerbund if you like. A classic dinner suit has hardly changed in recent generations, which might sound boring, but if you invest in a classic cut, then it’s a sound investment. For women, a black tie outfit can either be a full-length or knee-length dress. Take inspiration from the glamorous cocktail parties of the 50s of celebrity award events and go all out! Read more about the full black tie dress code here.
WHITE TIE
The most formal dress code, which is white tie, is commonly used for weddings, balls and academic occasions. At these types of events you can also wear your national costume or military uniform, should you happen to have one hanging in your wardrobe. Otherwise this means a classic tailcoat, which consists of a black or midnight blue tailcoat jacket with matching trousers, white dress shirt with bib-like front, wing collar, white handkerchief, white bow tie and a white waistcoat. Shoes are traditional black patent leather. Women are expected to wear a full-length evening dress. Fabric choices should be elegant, such as silk, velvet or lace. Keep the Nobel banquet in mind and put your own twist on your outfit!
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