WHAT NOT TO

WEARA Review of “Dressing for the Occasion”

FormalWHITE TIE

Women: A floor-length ball gown is a must. Accessorize with opera length gloves, glamorous jewels, and up-do hairstyles.

Men: Wear a short or waist length black tailcoat (tails should reach the back of your knees,) white bow tie, starched white shirt, and a cummerbund (optional). Sport high-quality black pants.

When to wear it: When it indicates it on the invitation

BLACK TIE

Women: Gussy up in a floor-length ball gown. A very dressy cocktail dress may be acceptable depending on the venue of the event.

Men: Wear a dark suit or a tuxedo without tails. Pair with a white shirt and a tie, or a bow tie with or without a vest and a cummerbund.

When to wear it: charity fundraisers, political dinner parties, weddings.

Semi-FormalWomen

Short afternoon or cocktail dress; finger-tip to “tea” length

A “little black dress”

Dressy separates

Men

Dark, business suit

Matching vest (optional)

Dress shirt

Tie/Bow-tie

Leather dress shoes and dark dress socks

Business Formal

Women

Suit

Business-style dress/Blazer

Dress with a jacket or modest and nicely made dress. No “gauzy/flimsy” materials.

Heels, low or high

Men

Dark business suit

Matching vest (optional)

Dress shirt

Conservative tie

Leather dress shoes and dark dress socks

Smart/Business Casual

Women: Put on a skirt, khakis, or dress pants paired with long sleeve or

three-quarter sleeve tops. A casual dress and flats are options as well. NO

flip-flops.

Men: Wear a button-down or a polo shirt, paired with khakis, or dress pants. If

you so desire, layer with a v-neck sweater, a blazer, or a sport coat. A tie is

optional. Usually no jeans; definitely NO SHORTS. Loafers; NO SANDALS.

When to wear it: company party, daily work attire, business lunch

meetings, office parties, business luncheons, upscale brunches

Dressy Casual

Women

Avoid wearing denim, tennis shoes, and cotton tees. Instead, opt for black

pants, tailored capris/ankle pants, or a skirt. You could also do a sundress

that you pair with a flat, or sandals/wedges that are dressier than flip-flops.

Men

Wear pants and a dress shirt or polo with a leather loafer, oxfords, or a slip-on

shoe. Avoid sport shoes.

Avoid showing up with wrinkles or clothes one size too big, too small, or in a

non-coordinating color. A tie is optional but definitely NOT needed.

When to wear it: church, dinner, or an invite received via phone or e-mail

MAKE NOTE OF THIS…

Some people view Business Casual and Smart Casual as two separate things… & some call “Dressy Casual”…”Smart Casual”

“Smart casual” (as some define it) allows the combination of business, formal, and casual in…well…a “smart” look. While ties don’t show in business casual, they are often part of the smart ensemble alongside vests, jackets, cardigans, and even hoodies.

SMART CASUAL Business Casual

CasualWomen

Sundress

Long or short skirt

Khakis or nice jeans

Shorts (depending on occasion and climate)

Plain T-shirt (no crazy slogans or gigantic logos), polo shirt, nice sweater

Casual button-down blouse

Men

Khakis or good jeans (clean, no holes)

Nice, flat-front shorts—depending on occasion and climate

Plain T-shirt (no gigantic logos or crazy slogans), polo shirt, turtleneck

Casual button-down shirt and/or sweater

Loafers, sneakers (with or without socks), sandals

Which type of dress is this?The next slide will tell you if you are

right.

Semi-Formal

Which type of dress is this?The next slide will tell you if you

are right.

Semi-Formal or Business Formal

Which type is this?

Most likely business formal; the color of the suit makes it a tad less dressy than a dark suit.

Which type is this?

Casual

Which type is this?

Smart/Business

Which type is this?

Smart Casual

On the right?

Semi-Formal

How about this one?

Casual

How is Mindy Kaling dressed?

Formal; gown length tells you. (and the red carpet )

What about Taylor Swift here?

This could be dressy casual, smart casual, or business formal. I wouldn’t call this business casual.