Wedding Attire: Formal Dress Code For Guests

When it comes to wedding invitations, it's important to let your guests know what type of attire is expected of them. Formal attire is one of the most popular wedding dress codes, but it can be tricky to know exactly what it entails. Formal attire for a wedding is generally considered to be a step down from black-tie, with more flexibility in terms of colours, embellishments and hem lengths. For men, this means a dark suit and tie, while women can choose from a floor-length gown, a fancy cocktail dress, or a dressy pantsuit.

White-tie: the most formal dress code, with men wearing tuxedos and women wearing floor-length gowns

White-tie is the most formal wedding dress code, and it's quite rare. It's reserved for extremely ceremonial and special occasions. If you're planning a white-tie wedding, be aware that the expense might deter guests from attending.

White-tie Attire for Men

For men, white-tie means a black tailcoat, a waistcoat, a white bow tie, and tuxedo shoes. The tailcoat is a black single-breasted jacket with silk lapels, always worn unbuttoned. The trousers match the tailcoat and have two lines of braid down the outside of the trouser legs. The waistcoat and bow tie are white. The shirt is a specific white dress shirt, fastened with studs rather than buttons, and features a detachable wing collar.

The trousers are worn high on the waist and need to be covered by the waistcoat. The waistcoat, in turn, must not dip below the bottom of the jacket opening.

Men can also wear a top hat, white dinner gloves, a dress cane, and a pocket watch.

White-tie Attire for Women

For women, white-tie means a full-length ball gown or a floor-length evening dress. Any silhouette is acceptable as long as the hem touches the ground. The dress is usually paired with an updo, striking jewellery, and high stiletto heels. A fur mantle, pashmina, or bolero vest can also be worn.

Women can also wear white gloves that go past the elbows and a tiara.

Black-tie: a formal dress code, with men wearing tuxedos and women wearing floor-length or sophisticated cocktail dresses

When it comes to wedding invitations, mentioning a dress code ensures your event stays as formal or as casual as you want it to be. It's also helpful for guests to know what attire is expected of them.

Black-tie is a formal dress code for evening occasions, such as a dinner party, awards ceremony, milestone birthday, or wedding. It is less formal than white tie but more formal than business dress.

For men, black-tie means wearing a tuxedo, which includes a dinner jacket and matching trousers, a white pleated shirt, black formal shoes, and a bow tie. The dinner jacket is synonymous with sophistication, with its satin-facing lapels, satin buttons, and satin pocket trim. The trousers will have a satin stripe running down the leg.

For women, black-tie means a floor-length gown or a sophisticated knee-length cocktail dress. The colour is open to interpretation, but it is best to stick to dark and rich colours such as black, jewel tones, or metallics. The fabric should be evening-appropriate, such as velvet, chiffon, silk, or lace. Keep accessories simple and elegant, with sophisticated jewellery, a pair of heels, and a small clutch bag.

If you are the host and want to be specific about the dress code, you can include it on the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation, at the bottom centre of the design, or on a separate information card.

Formal or Black-Tie Optional: a step down from black-tie, with men wearing dark suits and women wearing floor-length gowns or cocktail dresses

When it comes to wedding invitations, there isn't much space to explain the dress code in detail. That's why many couples rely on their wedding website to communicate this information to their guests. However, if you want to include the dress code on your wedding invitation, you can place it in the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation or at the bottom centre of the design.

Now, if you're going for a "Formal or Black-Tie Optional" wedding attire, here's what it means and what your guests should wear:

For Men:

"Formal or Black-Tie Optional" is a step down from black-tie, which means men have the option to wear a tuxedo or a dark suit with a shirt and tie. It's essential to note that a black-tie-optional dress code usually means that the wedding couple and their party will be dressed in black-tie attire. Therefore, guests should aim to reflect this level of formality in their attire.

When choosing a suit, men should opt for dark colours such as black, navy, charcoal, emerald, or burgundy. Suits made from wool or velvet are also excellent choices for this dress code. A three-piece suit is a great option as it adds a touch of formality with the addition of a vest. If you want to go for a more contemporary look, consider a suit with a subtle pattern.

For Women:

For women, a "Formal or Black-Tie Optional" dress code means they can choose to wear a floor-length gown, a knee-length cocktail dress, a dressy pantsuit, or dressy separates. The key is to prioritise floor-length gowns but know that a fancy cocktail dress or a dressy pantsuit is also acceptable.

When it comes to colours, women can embrace any hue except whites, pastels, and neon shades. Luxe-looking fabrics, patterns, and textures are excellent choices, but it's best to keep the patterns more muted to maintain the formal vibes. For summer weddings, look for blue, pink, orange, or yellow gowns. For winter weddings, black, navy, and jewel tones are perfect.

Additionally, women can opt for looks with slits, which can help elongate a short frame and make dancing easier. However, short and mini dresses should be avoided as they lean more towards casual than formal. It's also essential to avoid anything too revealing or overly dramatic that might take attention away from the bride.

Cocktail Attire: a balance between elegant and comfortable, with women wearing tea-length or knee-length dresses and men wearing suits and ties

When it comes to wedding invitations, there isn't much space to go into detail about the dress code. That's why many couples rely on their wedding website to provide guests with more information. However, if you want to include a dress code on your wedding invitation, there are a few ways to do so. You can include it in the lower left or right-hand corner of the invitation, or at the bottom centre of the design. Alternatively, you can include a separate information or details card with your invitation, or list the dress code on your wedding website.

Cocktail attire is a semi-formal dress code that strikes a balance between formal and casual, elegant and comfortable. It is typically worn for evening events like cocktail parties, weddings, and upscale social gatherings. For women, cocktail attire usually involves a knee-length or tea-length dress in elegant fabrics like silk, chiffon, or satin. It's important to avoid anything too short or revealing. Women can also opt for a pantsuit or jumpsuit, paired with heels or formal flats. For men, cocktail attire typically includes a suit and tie, with darker hues reserved for chillier months or evening events, and lighter colours like grey or blue for warmer weather or daytime celebrations. Polished leather shoes, such as Oxfords or loafers, are the typical choice for footwear.

"Cocktail attire. We suggest that men wear a suit or dress shirt with a tie and women wear a midi- or knee-length dress or dressy separates."

"Cocktail attire. We suggest that guests wear a suit with a tie and a dress or dressy separates."

"Cocktail attire. We ask that men wear a suit and tie and women wear a cocktail dress or a nice pantsuit."

Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual: depending on the time of day, with women wearing below-the-knee dresses or pantsuits and men wearing dress shirts and slacks

When it comes to wedding attire, it's important to get it right. You want to be comfortable, but you also want to respect the couple's wishes and the formality of the event. If the wedding invitation says "semi-formal" or "dressy casual", here's what it means and how to dress appropriately:

For women, a semi-formal or dressy casual wedding is a great opportunity to showcase your style. The key is to pay attention to the time of day and choose your outfit accordingly. For an evening wedding, go for darker, more formal colours. Below-the-knee dresses, slip dresses, or even an elegant pantsuit are perfect choices. If the wedding is during the day, especially in warmer months, opt for lighter colours and airy fabrics. A dressy skirt and top, or a slip dress, will keep you looking and feeling cool. Heels, wedges, or formal flats are all suitable footwear options.

For men, a semi-formal or dressy casual wedding calls for a dress shirt and slacks. A tie is optional, but it's a great way to add a touch of elegance to your look. If the wedding is in the evening, darker colours are more appropriate, while lighter colours are perfect for daytime weddings. Avoid jeans, shorts, and ripped clothing, as these are too casual for this dress code.

When choosing your outfit, it's important to remember that dressy casual doesn't mean the same as business casual. It's a step up in formality and elegance. For women, this means avoiding t-shirts, crop tops, and low-cut tops. For men, a dress shirt and blazer are a great combination, with loafers or dressy sneakers as footwear options.

So, if you're attending a semi-formal or dressy casual wedding, remember to choose your outfit based on the time of day, opt for elegance and comfort, and enjoy celebrating the happy couple in style!

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