Deciphering the Dress Code

With all the parties during the holiday season our attention is always on that line of the invitation that supposedly tells us what everyone will be wearing.   Black Tie, Creative Black Tie, Costume, Casual, Business Cocktail, Cocktail, Blah Blah Blah…it’s endless. 

And Let me tell you I know the feeling of anxiety, that come when as a Guest you wonder what really the host means by their choice of dress code, and what everyone else will be wearing.  I can’t tell you how many times I have gone to an afternoon wedding only to see ladies in full-length black tie gowns. 

Why can’t we get this right?  Everyone has an different interpretation of the wording used on the bottom of those invitations, for example traditional in Connecticut may be a polo shirt and penny loafers, or a floral skirt with pearls, and yet in California it is flip flops and shorts.  Creative black tie could be a maroon Tux or a woman wearing a skirt made entirely of black ties, you tell me what’s correct???

Even worse it seems new explanations like LA Chic and southern casual creep up every day.    There is no dictionary for the dress code line, but here is our attempt to decipher the code for you.  We hope this makes your holiday festivities a little easier to plan for!

Black Tie:

A Black tie invitation is formal.  It calls for formal attire.  Men wear tuxedos, with either a bow tie and cummerbund or an overhand tie and vest depending on preferance.  Ladies wear cocktail gowns typically full length, although some shorter styles are acceptable.  Formal is just another word for black tie. 

Black Tie Optional:

Now…with that said, a Word about Black Tie Optional.   When an invitation reads Black tie optional or black tie invited, it is giving the Guest the option of wearing or not wearing a tux, and wearing or not wearing a long gown.  Black tie optional is meant to clue the Guest in on the level of formaility that the event has.  It in NO way gives a Guest permission to wear Jeans should they choose not to wear a tux.  Balck tie optional means that if you choose not to wear a tux men should be wearing a dark suit and tie, while woman may wear long or short cocktail dresses as well as dressy evening seperates. 

Creative Black Tie:

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.  Sometimes, themed parties call for dress codes like Texas Black Tie or other variations of Creative Black Tie. In that situation, you can have more fun with it, choosing a dressy look with a theme.   For him, it could be a tux with boots and for her it could be a long dress paired with Southwestern style silver belt and jewelry.

Semi-Formal:

Semi-Formal or After Five means that tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses, but still dictates a 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. 

Business Formal:

Business Formal is the same as Semi-Formal for him, but for women suggests a more tailored dressy suit or dress – it is not appropriate to wear anything too slinky or sexy.

Cocktail Attire:

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

Informal:

Informal is often interpreted as the same as Casual but it actually calls for the same dress as Semi-Formal -- dark suits for him, short dresses for her -- especially when associated with a wedding or special event.

Festive Attire:

Festive Attire is usually seen around the holidays, with the mood of the party being Informal or Semi-Formal. For her, it means to choose looks with a bit of sparkle like a beaded sweater with black pants, a red silk blouse with a black skirt.

Dressy Casual:

Dressy Casual calls for dressed-up versions of casual looks. For him, it could be trousers and a sport coat, for her a dressy pants look.  Jeans, shorts, T-shirts and other casual looks are not appropriate for Dressy Casual.

Casual:

Casual generally means anything goes.  However, it is our opinion that ripped, frayed or worn items, as well as athletic shoes are still not appropriate