THAT occasion

Different occasions may call for different dress codes. Below are a list of some occasions and the appropriate dress code for each of them.

Black Tie

A Black Tie invitation requires formal attire. Gentlemen would wear tuxedos while the ladies would wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Formal usually means the same as Black Tie, but in some trendier cities like New York or Los Angeles, it also mean a black shirt, no tie with a tuxedo. Ladies would wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Black Tie Optional

Black Tie Optional or Black Tie Invited gives you the option of wearing a tuxedo or formal dress but it should clue you into the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie would be your option. Ladies would wear cokctail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Creative Black Tie

Creative Black Tie leaves room for trendy interpretations of formal wear. Gentlemen can go more modern with a tuxedo, a black shirt with no tie. Ladies would wear long or short dresses or evening separates.

Themed parties may call for dress codes like Texas Black Tie or other kinds of Creative Black Tie. In that situation, you can have more fun with it, choosing a dressy look that complements the 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).

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for the ladies and dark suits for the gentlemen.

Festive Attire

Festive Attire is an occasion usually held around the holidays, with the mood of the party being Informal or Semi-Formal. For the ladies, it means to choose looks with a bit of sparkle or holiday bent (i.e. a beaded sweater with black pants, a red silk blouse with a black skirt).

Casual

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

Casual generally means anything is appropriate but you should ensure you keep in mind the fundamentals of dressing "appropriateness”, “aesthetics" and "attitude" even for casual events.

Smart Casual would mean anything in between casual and business. The main goal of the grooming is to look smart.