Wedding Tips: Decode the Dress Code! (2023)

FAQs

Wedding Tips: Decode the Dress Code!? ›

You can include your Dress Code on the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation. Alternatively, the Dress Code can be placed at the bottom centre of the design.

You can include your Dress Code on the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation. Alternatively, the Dress Code can be placed at the bottom centre of the design.

The dress code can be specified with a simple, "Dress: Formal" or "Dress: Smart Casual" at the end of the invitation. The URL of your wedding website, if you've created one. This is an especially good idea if you're having a destination wedding.

Simply put, women should wear a formal, floor-length evening gown—no exceptions—with jewelry, heels, and an elegant clutch. Men are required to wear a tuxedo with tails, a formal white shirt, a vest, a bow tie, white or gray gloves, and formal footwear, such as derby shoes or oxfords.

“The wedding is casual, so please feel free to wear whatever you'd feel best in!” “The wedding is semi-formal, so we encourage you to wear cocktail attire [for evening events] / Sunday best [for daytime events].” “The wedding is formal, so we encourage you to wear black tie attire.

Put It on the Invitation

The simplest way to tell your guests what they're expected to wear is to put a dress code in the invitation. There is a time-honored glossary of dress-code wording short enough to include on invitations, or on a card inserted with the invitation.

If a dress code request is unclear, delicately ask the host for further explanation. "You can say, 'I wanted to check in on the dress code' or ask what people will be wearing and offer what you were thinking of," suggests Lockard. "Just ask for clarification."

Use straightforward wording to get your point across.

Wording for dress codes might be: Black tie (tuxedos and formal gowns) Formal, black tie optional (suit and tie and dresses) Semi-formal (suit and tie and cocktail dresses)

A dress code is a set of rules, often written, with regard to what clothing groups of people must wear. Dress codes are created out of social perceptions and norms, and vary based on purpose, circumstances, and occasions.

It doesn't matter if the dress code requests "casual" attire, jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are never appropriate to wear as a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing formally. Sabatino suggests that men show up in a jacket and tie, even when the invitation says casual.

What is most common wedding dress code? ›

Semi-formal or Cocktail

Semi-formal is currently the most popular dress code for weddings. Men can wear a suit and tie ensemble or a sport coat. For women, it's super easy, just wear a cocktail dress! The hem of the cocktail dress can range from midi to just above the knee.

You may choose to wear any color except black or white. The guest's goal should be to blend in with the surroundings and let the bride shine. As her guest, you should avoid attire that could be considered informal or in bad taste. Pastels, jewel tones and earth tones are excellent choices, as are most primary colors.

Be direct. Though it won't be the first question you ask, directly ask, “What is the dress code for this position?” It's likely that you'll be asked, “Do you have any other questions?” This is a simple and direct way to get the information you need. Keep a pleasant expression no matter the answer.

What does dressy casual mean? It's a way to describe an overall aesthetic that is basically not-all-the-way-formal-but-please-don't-wear-jean-shorts. Swann explains that dressy casual is typically requested for daytime weddings—and the earlier the event, the less formal the attire.

Your best bet is cocktail attire. Sure, you might be overdressed if it ends up being a more relaxed affair, but you'll fit right in at a cocktail attire party, and (with the right accessories) can easily dress up for something on the more formal side. Women should opt for a dress in a luxe fabric, such as silk.

The dress code: You should clearly state what the general dress code of the company is and should also list exceptions when employees may need to follow a different dress code. Accommodations: To prevent any possible issues, state that employees can address any concerns about the dress code to human resources.

The dress code represents your image and qualities as a professional. The dress code is also important because the first impressions gives a large impact in the future if he/she will meet the people for the second time, and we only get one and only chance to have a positive impression.

Although the phrase may seem mysterious when you see it on an invitation, "after five attire" is actually another way to say "semi-formal." To dress appropriately for after five events, you'll simply take your work-day style up a notch in formality.

Think Casual Restaurant

If a workplace has no dress code, most likely it has an informal casual dress code. You can wear what you want, though keep in mind some aspects of your appearance are assumed, such as a neat, clean look. Consider what you would wear to a Sunday brunch or casual dinner with friends.

What are the four types of dress codes? ›

If you ask someone what the dress code at their office is, they'll generally give you one of four dress codes: business professional, business casual, smart casual or casual. There are some other in-between dress codes, but these four generally cover the spectrum of what your average American wears to work every day.

Usually, just avoid shorts and a T-shirt. A great standby is the classic combo of nice trousers and a button-down shirt. For a more polished look, a lighter-colored suit with no tie works well. So there you have it!

Steer clear of off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, cream, or any other super light color that could be mistaken for white. There are so many dress options available in a variety of hues, so steering clear of these shades should not be a major issue.

“Tradition dictates guests avoid wearing red out of fear that it could take attention away from the happy couple,” explains Hurwitz. “Visually, it's quite bold. In a photo, your eye is immediately drawn to the color, especially if it's next to neutrals like white, black, gray, or beige.”

The most common dress codes are black tie, cocktail, dressy casual, and business.

A morning wedding typically calls for casual dress, while a ceremony after 5 p.m. generally calls for formal attire.

For women, this means a business suit or pant suit, or dress and jacket. For men, professional dress means a business suit or a blazer, dress pants and a tie. Remember: it's always better to be over dressed than under dressed.

Yes, it can absolutely be appropriate to wear black to a wedding, and it isn't typically considered disrespectful (although there are exceptions). While black attire was traditionally associated with mourning and funerals, times are changing — and so are fashion rules!

Can you wear navy to a wedding? ›

Navy is a classic neutral that you can rely on for all dress codes and types of wedding attire. This shade pairs particularly well with evening celebrations as well as black tie, formal and semi-formal nuptials.

Educators who enforce them often unfairly target students of color, LGBTQ students, and girls. That's because a lot of school dress codes are gendered, and over 90 percent ban clothing worn predominantly by girls.

If the invitation says...

Dressy casual: You should dress up, but only a little. It's often just a matter of wearing nicer shoes, a snazzier top or pants that aren't blue jeans (though denim is fine with the right kind of shirt -- more on that later).

Dressy Casual Attire for Women

Tops: Try blouses made of nice fabric or with interesting details, or a collared shirt or button-up—either short sleeves or long sleeves work great. Wear a blazer over your top of choice for added dressiness. Avoid cotton T-shirts or anything with large printed graphics or slogans.

"Black tie," "cocktail attire" or "dress casual" are all acceptable templates. (And trust us, your guests will appreciate the heads-up). If you'd prefer not to explicitly state the dress code, that's okay too. Instead, your invitation design can clue guests in.

Alongside your attire, try something along the lines of, “Please indulge us by dressing in white, if you don't mind.” Or, you could try something like, “Our theme colors are neutrals and near neutrals, like shades of beige, baby pink, and sage green.

The easiest way to get your point across is to include your desired dress code on the bottom of the invite or on a separate details card. "Black tie," "cocktail attire" or "dress casual" are all acceptable templates. (And trust us, your guests will appreciate the heads-up).

Steer clear of off-white, eggshell, beige, champagne, cream, or any other super light color that could be mistaken for white. There are so many dress options available in a variety of hues, so steering clear of these shades should not be a major issue.

How do you word no plus ones on a wedding website? ›

An example FAQ may look like this:

Unfortunately, due to budget and space limitations, we simply can't afford for all of our lovely guests to bring a guest of their own. Therefore, we regretfully our guests to please not bring a plus one, unless they are specifically named on the invitation.

“When you're a guest at a wedding, the most important thing to keep in mind is not to upstage or upset the bride,” she said, adding: “It's safe to stay away from any outfits that are predominantly white, cream or ivory.”

These days, if the wedding invitation doesn't specify the dress code, you should assume “semi-formal.” This is a great mix of comfort and style, which is probably why it's gotten so popular over the years! Men can ditch the suit jacket and instead wear some nice pants with a button-down shirt.

Lizzie Post, host of the podcast Awesome Etiquette from the Emily Post Institute, says that no guest should ever feel embarrassed if they happen to wear the same color as the bridesmaids, but they can ask in advance what the colors will be if they're concerned about it.

As a general rule, "wearing black is totally acceptable, as the hue is very versatile," Sabatino affirms. However, you should avoid wearing white unless you are told otherwise. That shade, she says, is reserved exclusively for the bride.

If your invitation did not include a plus-one, under no circumstances should you arrive at a wedding with an uninvited guest. If the person who was originally going to attend with you is not coming, ask the couple if you can bring someone else instead.

If they still bring up the topic of a plus one, be polite but firm: “I'm so sorry but due to budget limitations/venue capacity, I'm afraid we can't justify plus ones.” If you want to add additional reasoning, such as 'plus ones we don't know well' etc.