Wedding season is fast approaching here in Arizona. When it comes to weddings, how many times do you ask yourself or others, “What should I wear?” Let’s help shake off pre-party jitters about attire with a quick little reference to dress codes for social events.
Black Tie: A Black Tie invitation calls for formal attire. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.
Black Tie Optional: Gives you the option of wearing a tuxedo or formal dress but it should clue you into the formality of the event, meaning a dark suit and tie would be your other option. Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.
Formal Attire: Usually means the same as Black Tie, but in some cities it could mean a suit with no tie or a tux with no tie. Women once again have the option to wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.
Semi-Formal: This means that tuxes are not required or requested, nor are long dresses. However, an evening wedding (after 6pm) would still dictate dark suits for him, and a cocktail dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.
Cocktail Attire: Usually means short, elegant dresses for her and suits for him.
Dressy Casual: Calls for a dressed-up version of casual looks. For him, it could be slacks/trousers and a sport coat, for her dressy pants.
Casual: Generally means anything goes.
