Attending a wedding as a guest should be the easy part, right? Who doesn’t want to show up to a party with dancing, food, and drinks? All you have to do is throw on a suit jacket and head out the door!
That is until a pesky little thing called the dress code comes into play. With invitations throwing around words like semi-formal, festive, and cocktail attire, how is anyone supposed to pick something out of their closet?
Don’t waste another minute sweating over the details. Decode what every common dress code means with our complete guide to dress codes for wedding guests.
Formal
For fancy, dressy friends, formal attire may very well be the expectation for guests. This dress code means dressing as if it is your big day too.
For men, a tuxedo with a white button-down shirt and tie (or bowtie) is the way to go. Dress it up with cufflinks and a pocket square to really stand out. On the other hand, for women, fancy knee-length or ankle-length dresses are appropriate. Heels and jewelry should be worn to accessorize.
The bottom line is you can never go too classy or fancy when dressing up for formalwear.
When looking at your invitation, look for keywords such as Black Tie, White Tie, or even Black Tie Optional. (Being presented with the word optional might be tempting, but it is always best to err on the side of formal dress!)
Semi-Formal
Perhaps the most common option seen on wedding invites is semi-formal. Frustratingly, this also happens to feel extremely vague. While semi-formal means the cumberbund can stay safely tucked into the closet, men should still look polished and refined. Instead, think of a dress shirt with or without the tie, casual footwear and fun socks mixed with dress pants, or a suit jacket over a turtleneck.
Consider a patterned dress shirt paired with a wool tie, brogues and socks that either match or contrast with your pleated slacks. It's common for semi-formal outfits for men to include a suit jacket or blazer. Typically, a semi-formal suit jacket can feature patterns, be made of wool or other unique materials, and have as much (or as little) shoulder padding as you prefer.
For women, a nice jumpsuit or midi dress or maxi dress is appropriate. For shoes, heels are always acceptable, but so are strappy sandals. If in doubt, accessories like jewelry can add a more formal flair to an outfit.
Phrases to look out for meaning semi-formal are cocktail, afternoon formal, evening formal, or dressy casual.
Casual
Casual attire is much easier to interpret, even if it is not found as often on invites and receptions. Weddings that opt for casual dress codes often tend to be held outdoors and/or in hot weather.
When approaching casual attire, you still do not want to be the grungy guest in the corner! For men, think chinos, dark jeans, polos, and dress shirts with no tie or jacket. Flip-flops, t-shirts, and jeans with holes are distracting and discouraged!
Meanwhile, on the women’s side, sundresses, flowing skirts, and jumpsuits are perfect. Allow yourself to be able to dance and move around, while still maintaining a slightly higher level of casual than your day-to-day wear.
Casual dress code can also show up on invitations as casual chic, daywear, or come as you are.
Festive
Festive is by far the most broad option on the list, making it another difficult category to dress for. While a festive dress code might show up on an invitation in a variety of ways, each option can be very nuanced.
For example, festive themes may be Dress to Impress, Glamorous, Lounge Suit, or a specific theme (such as Cowboy Casual).
When confronted with festive as the code, it is best to take into consideration the location and venue of the wedding for additional context clues.
However, if in doubt about what to pull out of your closet, go right to the source! Reach out to the bride, groom, or a member of the wedding party to get more clarity on the dress code and expectations. Better to ask than to be the only guest at the wedding wearing a cowboy hat and boots!
Let The Modern Groom Be Your Guide
While every couple has a different vision for their perfect wedding, most weddings and receptions tend to fall between semi-formal and formal. This means having a well-fitted suit in your wardrobe can take the guesswork out of attending, leaving you to focus on what matters most: the open bar! Of course, we actually mean the couple you are celebrating.
Let The Modern Groom create the perfect look for you with suits in a range of colors from classic black to more modern tan! Get started shopping today.
