It is true may people own so many clothes, but don't know what to put on for different occasions. Sometimes at special event, people have no idea what to wear. Here below find rules guiding you on what to wear to be able to visit anything: whether it’s a corporate party, wedding, or even a dinner with the Queen of the United Kingdom.
White Tie
When an event calls for a white tie; it is usually a diplomatic reception, charity ball, awards ceremony, wedding ceremony or dinner with distinguished people. Here a man should adorn a black tailcoat with a white bowtie, sometimes white evening gloves, a pocket watch if available and highly polished black shoes. A black waistcoat is unacceptable.
For the lady ensure that she is adorned in a full length evening dress, high heel stiletto shoes, evening gloves, matching clutch bag and a fur mantle or bolero vest. It is unacceptable to put on jewellery, not have gloves or have lose hair!
White Tie
When an event calls for a white tie; it is usually a diplomatic reception, charity ball, awards ceremony, wedding ceremony or dinner with distinguished people. Here a man should adorn a black tailcoat with a white bowtie, sometimes white evening gloves, a pocket watch if available and highly polished black shoes. A black waistcoat is unacceptable.
For the lady ensure that she is adorned in a full length evening dress, high heel stiletto shoes, evening gloves, matching clutch bag and a fur mantle or bolero vest. It is unacceptable to put on jewellery, not have gloves or have lose hair!
A White Tie Event: The Obamas visiting the Queen
and husband in London (Reuters)
Black Tie
An official evening reception, opera or theatre opening night or wedding reception are good examples of Black Tie Events.
Men should dress in a tuxedo, black bowtie, cuff links and polished black shoes. For women it is a cocktail dress or full length evening dress, classic high heels and jewellery.
Black Tie party
Formal Event Dress Code
Formal events are what you would expect in a ceremonial environment–people dressed in formal wear following a specific official event protocol. This dress code is misunderstood to mean coat and tie, but it is more than that, it is a substantially higher dress code, requiring clothes that most men don’t own.
If you don’t belong to an extremely wealthy and upper class set you might probably be asking the majority of your guests to rent or borrow.
Formal wear for men changes depending on the time of day: during the day, it means morning dress with a tailcoat and vest, and at night white tie. It would be unusual (and a bit presumptuous) to request full formal attire for a personal event. Only invited individuals are expected to attend such events. Most formal events, like executive dinner parties, conferences and exhibitions, are held on weekdays, though some formal weddings for example, are held on weekends when everyone is away from work. They are usually official evening receptions.
The main perceptible difference between formal and informal events is the dress code. Men in a formal events are expected to dress in tuxedos, suits, blazers, bow ties and formal black shoes while ladies in gowns, formal dresses, cocktail dresses, evening attire and lady suits and high heel shoes.
Daniel Craig as James Bond in 007 Spectre Movie in
formal attire (AFP)
Black Tie Invited Event
This means the same thing as "Black Tie Optional." For example, at a formal wedding, the tidal entourage decked out in tuxes, and men in the couple's immediate families may be, too. The "invited" or "optional" means that male guests are invited to wear tuxes and women may wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses; what you would wear at a black-tie affair, but you don't have to. It's fine for men to wear nice dark suits and for women to wear dresses that aren't necessarily Oscar-night material. If the invite just says "Black Tie," then guests are expected to attend in full formal attire.
Cocktail Attire
Photo: Pinterest
A cocktail attire is a semi-formal look or outfit that will transit you from day to night; bridging the gap between casual day wear, which is too relaxed, and formal evening attire, which is too prim and proper.In a modern context, the ‘between the hours’ dress code applies to cocktail parties, obviously, but also weddings, anniversaries, formal birthday celebrations and the timeless sporting events such as the races.
Classic suit and shoes for men and women cocktail dress and high heels an do, don't overdress to upstage the guest of honour.
Creative Black Tie
Creative Black Tie
Creative black tie premises that you already know the rules of “black tie” because requires subtly breaking the rules. “Today, ‘black tie’ gives women the choice of wearing a dressy cocktail dress, a long dress or as long as you know how to make yourself look presentable, you’re all set. The creative element merely means that men should feel free to wear a black shirt or a red bow tie, while women are encouraged to take their look less seriously.
For men, velvet suits with a bow-tie or tartan pants paired with a well-tailored tux jacket all seem to fit the bill along with brightly colored ties and socks, black shirts with a black tux — think trendy fashion victims, according to GQ’s Style Guy.
Semi-Formal Event
You dress semi-formerly when invited to a dinner party, corporate event or big family celebration. For men it involves a dark regular suit with a tie and for women, mini or midi cocktail dress with high heel shoes.
After 5 Wear
This means any evening after 5.00pm. It is optional for men to dress in a business suit, otherwise, casual jeans, velvet trousers, very good quality knitwear, blazer (tie optional) and classic moccasins are fine. For women, sequin evening attire, a top and skirt, elegant cat suit or skirt suit and heels.
After 5 Casual Wear
Like the previous, any evening after 5.00pm. A regular suit without a tie for men is fine or trousers or jeans with a jumper or cardigan and moccasins. It is almost the same for women; suit, smart dress, jeans, sweaters and heels.
Business Best Code
Events include; business meeting, conference or business reception. For men business blue suit (striped is accepted), with a white shirt, tie and pocket square paired with classic derby or black oxford shoes. For women, blue, grey or beige pant or skirt suit, light blouse and black or colour of suit low heel shoes.
Business Traditional code
Events calling for this dressing can be either a business meeting or an interview. A regular business suit and classic shoes for for both men and women can do.
Smart Casual Code
For a small corporate party at the club. For men; a blazer or suit jacket, jeans (not ripped), cropped chino pants and nice sneakers or gumshoes. Women can adorn; chino pants, slacks, jeans, pencil dress, men style shirt, a waistcoat, a pullover, coloured blouses, low heels and bright accessories.
Like the previous, any evening after 5.00pm. A regular suit without a tie for men is fine or trousers or jeans with a jumper or cardigan and moccasins. It is almost the same for women; suit, smart dress, jeans, sweaters and heels.
Business Best Code
Events include; business meeting, conference or business reception. For men business blue suit (striped is accepted), with a white shirt, tie and pocket square paired with classic derby or black oxford shoes. For women, blue, grey or beige pant or skirt suit, light blouse and black or colour of suit low heel shoes.
Business Traditional code
Events calling for this dressing can be either a business meeting or an interview. A regular business suit and classic shoes for for both men and women can do.
Smart Casual Code
For a small corporate party at the club. For men; a blazer or suit jacket, jeans (not ripped), cropped chino pants and nice sneakers or gumshoes. Women can adorn; chino pants, slacks, jeans, pencil dress, men style shirt, a waistcoat, a pullover, coloured blouses, low heels and bright accessories.
