Semi-formal for women: what to wear
A midi or knee-length dress / an elegant suit + heels or smart flats.
Day and early-evening weddings, celebratory dinners, award events, the theatre.
- When
- Day or evening
- Trousers for women
- Yes
- Jeans
- No
- Sneakers
- No
Three outfit ideas
Day event
An emerald midi dress, nude heels and fine gold jewellery.
Suit
A powder-pink trouser suit, a white tee and loafers.
Skirt
A pleated midi skirt, a cashmere sweater and ankle boots.
What to wear
- A midi dress in a fluid fabric
- A trouser suit with a silk blouse
- A pleated skirt with an elegant knit
Shoes
Heels, slingbacks, elegant loafers.
Accessories
A medium bag, refined jewellery.
What to avoid
- Sportswear and jeans
Colours
Anything; darker in the evening.
In summer
In summer: light suits, linen and silk dresses.
In winter
In winter: dark wool suits, knit dresses, velvet.
Details that make the difference
- Hem the gown for your actual shoes: a long dress should just graze the floor in the heels you'll wear.
- Under silk and satin wear seamless, skin-tone underwear: these fabrics show every line.
- Check that your clutch fits a phone, lipstick and keys before the night.
- Bring a wrap or stole – halls get cool and the trip home at night is cold.
About semi-formal
Between cocktail and business: a suit for men (tie optional), an elegant dress or trouser suit for women. Semi-formal is a mid-20th-century compromise between black tie and the day suit. Today it's often confused with cocktail; in practice it's the more flexible version that also works by day.
Business formal for women
A dark suit (skirt or trousers) + a blouse or shirt + closed shoes.
Business casual for women
Tailored trousers or a skirt + a blouse or fine knit + (blazer) + loafers or pumps.
Other codes for women
Frequently asked
01Semi-formal: can women wear trousers?
Yes – elegant trousers or a trouser suit are perfectly fine.
02Semi-formal: are jeans OK?
No – jeans are too casual for this code; choose tailored trousers.
03Semi-formal: are sneakers OK?
No – choose leather shoes.
04How is semi-formal different from cocktail?
They're very close; cocktail is a little dressier and more evening, semi-formal is more flexible and works by day.