Dress Appropriately For Formals

We need to wear formal attire for weddings, proms and many other special occasions. The time of the day and the context of the event decide what should wear to a formal event. Black tie and white tie can be the most popular categories. Formal attire means black bow tie for men and an evening gown or very smart cocktail dress for women.

Black tie or "dinner jacket" is slightly less formal than white tie. It requires women to wear dressy cocktail dress or tea-length dress. Jewelry choice should be still the best a woman owns, and shoes should be appropriate to the dress. When dancing is a part of the event, a woman should choose a dress that will allow for this; a skintight gown might not be the best option if a woman does not feel comfortable moving in it.

While men are expected to wear a standard tuxedo consisting of a black short coat or dinner jacket and matching black pants, usually with a stripe of black satin down the outside seam. A white dress shirt with a plain or pleated front and a wing or turndown collar should be worn, along with black cummerbund or evening waistcoat. As the name would suggest, a black bow tie is also required; a white pocket square can also be added. Shoes should also be black, usually in patent leather.

For women, the appropriate accompaniment to white tie formal attire is the ball gown. Depending on the event, it may be inappropriate to wear a gown that does not cover the shoulders. Although a ball gown is most appropriate, the strict requirements have relaxed somewhat, and a floor-length evening dress is often acceptable. Cocktail or tea-length dresses are really not suitable.

A man is expected to wear a black tailcoat with black trousers with a stripe of black satin down the outside seam and white suspenders. Under the tailcoat, he should wear a stiff fronted white shirt with a wing collar, white bow tie, and white waistcoat. Shoes should be black patent leather.

Overall, for most formal events, some variations on the standard white/black tie options are possible. The national costume of the wearer's country may be worn to white tie occasions, when specified. Military mess dress may also be worn to most formal events. Heads of state and other government officials may wear additional accessories, such as sashes or medals. During the summer, a white dinner jacket can be worn for a black tie event in warm climates.

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