Dear Sparkly,
What is the difference between formal and black tie? Is there a difference? What is NOT appropriate and why exactly?
-Formal Fashion Fail
After receiving this question I decided it might actually be helpful to define some of the attire terms that we deal with in every day society.
Casual-Jeans, T shirts, sandals, tennis shoes....basically anything you might wear on the weekend.
Business Casual- Jeans or Slacks, shoes with rubber sole, polo shirt, button down shirt
Business- For men: jacket and pants that are matching, necktie, black or dark brown shoes
For women: business suit, blouse, heels
Cocktail- For men: Slacks, button down shirt, necktie
For women: nice jeans, skirt, or LBD, fancy blouse, heels
Black Tie (Semi-Formal)- For men: Black tuxedo, white shirt, black necktie or black bowtie, cummerbund or vest.
For women: dinner (ankle), tea (mid-calf) or cocktail (knee) length dress that is sleeveless, stole or shawl, dresses can be any color
White Tie (Formal)- For men: Black coat with tails, white bowtie, white gloves
For women: long evening gown in a darker color, shoulders covered, long gloves that are not removed until dinner.
As for the appropriateness of attire, that is usually listed on whatever invitation you have received. For example, if a wedding invitation comes and it says "Black Tie" that means that you are expected to come in a long dress and your date should be wearing a tuxedo. It is common to receive an invitation with no attire listed, in which case the best way to determine that is by the location. If it's a church wedding, wear something modest that is somewhere between business and semi-formal. You can wear a nice cocktail dress but your date needs to be wearing a nice suit and necktie. But if the wedding is outside, you can be a little more casual. The formality of the invitation is also an indicator, and I'll discuss that in another post about wedding etiquette.
For business functions, it is always okay to be a little overdressed, never okay to be under dressed. I take a trip to Las Vegas every spring for a convention. The after hours cocktail parties have men in business casual and business attire. I usually aim for cocktail attire, jeans and a sparkly top with stunning heels.
Anytime you're going for an interview, wear business attire. It allows your prospective boss to see that you take yourself, and the job, seriously. And it leaves it open for the interviewer to let you know what the dress code is for that office environment.
Do you have any beauty, fashion, or etiquette questions? Email me at sparklyinthecity@gmail.com
What is the difference between formal and black tie? Is there a difference? What is NOT appropriate and why exactly?
-Formal Fashion Fail
After receiving this question I decided it might actually be helpful to define some of the attire terms that we deal with in every day society.
Casual-Jeans, T shirts, sandals, tennis shoes....basically anything you might wear on the weekend.
Business Casual- Jeans or Slacks, shoes with rubber sole, polo shirt, button down shirt
Business- For men: jacket and pants that are matching, necktie, black or dark brown shoes
For women: business suit, blouse, heels
Cocktail- For men: Slacks, button down shirt, necktie
For women: nice jeans, skirt, or LBD, fancy blouse, heels
Black Tie (Semi-Formal)- For men: Black tuxedo, white shirt, black necktie or black bowtie, cummerbund or vest.
For women: dinner (ankle), tea (mid-calf) or cocktail (knee) length dress that is sleeveless, stole or shawl, dresses can be any color
White Tie (Formal)- For men: Black coat with tails, white bowtie, white gloves
For women: long evening gown in a darker color, shoulders covered, long gloves that are not removed until dinner.
As for the appropriateness of attire, that is usually listed on whatever invitation you have received. For example, if a wedding invitation comes and it says "Black Tie" that means that you are expected to come in a long dress and your date should be wearing a tuxedo. It is common to receive an invitation with no attire listed, in which case the best way to determine that is by the location. If it's a church wedding, wear something modest that is somewhere between business and semi-formal. You can wear a nice cocktail dress but your date needs to be wearing a nice suit and necktie. But if the wedding is outside, you can be a little more casual. The formality of the invitation is also an indicator, and I'll discuss that in another post about wedding etiquette.
For business functions, it is always okay to be a little overdressed, never okay to be under dressed. I take a trip to Las Vegas every spring for a convention. The after hours cocktail parties have men in business casual and business attire. I usually aim for cocktail attire, jeans and a sparkly top with stunning heels.
Anytime you're going for an interview, wear business attire. It allows your prospective boss to see that you take yourself, and the job, seriously. And it leaves it open for the interviewer to let you know what the dress code is for that office environment.
Do you have any beauty, fashion, or etiquette questions? Email me at sparklyinthecity@gmail.com
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