There is nothing more embarrassing than showing up to an event or place in unsuitable attire because you failed to read the fine print or give the dress code any thought at all. There’s nothing more distracting than being inappropriately dressed for an event, whether it’s a serious business meeting or a fun night out with friends.
You can use this advice as a reference for any formal or informal event you may be attending. Keep reading to learn more.
Think About the Occasion
It’s possible that the invitation, if there was one, didn’t tell you how to dress for what you were supposed to do or where you were supposed to go. Maybe you also can’t find any information online. In this situation, it can be hard to figure out what you should wear, which is where mistakes can happen. But there is one thing you can do that will help: think about what the event is.
If you’re going to a wedding, for example, you’ll know what to wear. The same is true for a business meeting, a dinner party, or a trip to the zoo with your kids. You can figure out what to wear much more easily if you think about where you’re going, what you’ll be doing when you get there, and even what time of day you’ll be getting there.
Casual
Obviously, if there is a dress code, the choices are already more limited, as long as you know what the dress code means. Let’s look at the word “casual.” Casual can mean a lot of different things, from old clothes that get dirty to “smart casual,” which can mean a lot of different things.
If you aren’t sure what to do, it’s best to choose something in the middle. You can wear a T-shirt, but you might want to add a more formal jacket or look at men’s overshirts to go over it. Jeans and tennis shoes are fine, but they should be clean and in good condition. If you’re really not sure, bring a change of clothes so you can blend in better if you have to.
Semi-Formal
If the invitation says “semi-formal,” you’ll know a lot more about what to wear. Men usually need a suit or at least a nice shirt and trousers, but ties aren’t always necessary. For women, a little black dress is the perfect choice. These dresses always look good and don’t look out of place. You could also wear a summer dress, a blouse and skirt, or even more formal trousers.
Keep in mind that this setting is only semi-formal and not formal, so there’s no need to go all out. Feeling awkward is exactly what you get when you wear a ballgown to a semi-formal event, so beware.
Formal
As we’ve established, there are situations that require a more formal look, and if that’s the case, you have a lot more freedom to express yourself stylistically than you would in almost any other situation. It’s great if men wear tuxedos, and women save their ball gowns for this occasion. When it comes to formal attire, you can really accessorise to your heart’s content.
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