What to wear: a detailed guide to dress codes

2023 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-07-28 10:38

Just open the closet and pick items from the list.

First, a little theory. There are six main types of dress code.

1. Casual (Casual).
2. Smart casual.
3. Business.
4. Cocktail.
5. Black Tie ("black tie").
6. White Tie ("white tie").

Each of them assumes its own rather severe requirements for appearance. Here they are.

1. Casual dress code

Where appropriate

• On walks.
• On trips and travels.
• At meetings with friends, barbecue, home parties in an informal style.

What to wear

• Jeans and a T-shirt. Go for versatile and understated designs without bold prints, appliqués or slogans.
• Simple dresses and skirts paired with T-shirts and T-shirts.
• Shorts.
• Practical khaki.
• Any loose-fitting clothing made from natural breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen.

What not to wear in any case

• T-shirts with provocative prints or slogans. In them, you turn into a walking demonstration and can easily cause resentment, if not even offend others. This style can hardly be called comfortable everyday.
• Torn or dirty clothing. Hygiene is primarily a matter of self-respect. But not only: if things look stale, other people will simply be unpleasant to be around you. Denim things with "designer" damages - scuffs, cuts - all this, of course, does not apply.
• Uncomfortable clothes. If your trousers bite into your waist and your skirt is so tight that it interferes with your walking, this outfit is definitely not casual.

2. Smart casual dress code

Where appropriate

• At holiday parties with relatives or friends. These can be birthdays, engagements or other special occasions.
• On dates.

What to wear

• The dress. The model is not too important: within the framework of this dress code, both a dress-shirt and a dress-sweater will look equally good. But too simple (for example, sundresses) or obviously evening options should still be discarded.
• A shirt or blouse with buttons. You can add a jacket to them - then the image will turn out to be more strict and refined.
• Denim in a classic dark color. Faded, frayed, or just light-colored jeans are not the best option. Choose models in indigo or black shades.
• Club top. Often these are inexpensive synthetic models, such as a satin tank top with thin straps, a corset top with open shoulders, or a tight long sleeve top with a deep cut on the back.
• Overalls. It is best of all from a thin flowing fabric - in this case, it can act as an alternative to a dress.

What not to wear in any case

• Sneakers. Especially if they are worn, not very clean, or obviously sporty and not versatile.
• Shorts.

3. Business dress code

Where appropriate

• In the office.
• At business meetings, lunches and dinners.
• At job interviews.
• At conferences and other speeches in front of people.

What to wear

This dress code distinguishes between two directions. The first is business casual style, that is, those things in which you go to work every day. The second is a formal business style: this is how they dress, for example, for serious business negotiations, a dinner with business partners or an official speech.

• Business casual style - these are classic dark or khaki trousers, a button-down shirt, a versatile sports jacket or jacket, and a tie if desired.
• Business formal style is a dark suit, dress shirt and dress shoes. A tie is an obligatory element of such a dress code for men, and it is good if it is made of silk. When it comes to the feminine look, this is a sheath dress or pencil skirt combined with a classic button-down shirt.

What not to wear in any case

• Sneakers.
• Jeans and other denim.
• Clothes with bright, distracting elements. A shirt of a juicy green or scarlet shade, a massive brooch, a colorful tie are violations of the dress code.

4. Cocktail dress code

Where appropriate

• At weddings.
• At restaurant dinners, including romantic dinners and charity fundraising dinners.
• School and university balls and graduations.

What to wear

• The dress. It should be more formal, strict than a sundress, but less solemn than a ballroom outfit. Classic cocktail models are sewn from fabric with a glossy surface (satin, taffeta) and often have organza or lace decorations.
• Costume. Dark color if the event is planned for the evening. If we are talking about daylight hours, suits of steel, beige, coffee, blue and other similar shades are suitable.
• Any bright, elegant element in combination with ordinary clothes. To make the look quite "cocktail", it is enough to rhyme the usual trousers or a skirt with a top made of shiny fabric, a festive silk shirt or, for example, a blazer decorated with rhinestones in the disco style.
• Overalls. It is good if it is made of a smooth, shimmery or brocade-like fabric.
• Classic shoes. For women - pumps or sandals with thin heels.
• Black smart clothes. When in doubt about what color to choose, give preference to classic black.

What not to wear in any case

• Sneakers.
• Jeans.
• Plain clothing made from cotton, linen and other everyday fabrics.

5. Black Tie

Where appropriate

• At classic formal weddings.
• At exhibitions, concerts, film festivals and other festivities with a pronounced formal bias.

What to wear

• Dress - a long dress made of elegant fabric or the most elegant cocktail dress.
• The tuxedo.
• Pumps, sandals with straps and heels.
• Oxfords or brogues (with perforated top).

What not to wear in any case

• Shabby shoes. Shoes must be in perfect condition.
• Any kind of casual wear.
• Bright elements. Not that this is a strict rule, but the Black Tie dress code still presupposes an image in restrained, classic shades: black, white, pearl, milky.

6. White Tie

Where appropriate

• At official events of the highest level: for example, at a dinner party with the participation of presidents (countries, large companies) or at a reception with the Queen.
• For very special weddings, if the White Tie dress code is expressly specified in the invitation.

What to wear

• Dress to the floor. Naturally, from an expensive, not "everyday" fabric.
• Tailcoat.
• Jewelry.
• Long white gloves.
• Any other piece of clothing that makes you look like royalty.

What not to wear in any case

• Above the knee dress.
• Business suit. Even if he's gorgeous.
• Any item of clothing that can (at least at a stretch) be called everyday, sports, business or cocktail.