Dress codes explained: what to wear to anything
From white tie to casual – 17 dress codes with specific outfits for women and men, the rules and the common mistakes. Plus guides for the most common events.
Where are you going?
Elegant but less formal than black tie: a knee-length or midi cocktail dress, a dark suit with a tie.
- Women
- A knee-length or midi cocktail dress + heels + a small bag.
- Men
- A dark suit + dress shirt + tie (increasingly optional) + leather shoes.
What does the invitation say?
The formality ladder
Codes ordered from most to least formal. Each step down means fewer rules: the gown becomes a cocktail dress, the tuxedo a suit, the tie an open collar.
Morning dress
The most formal daytime dress: a morning coat for men, an elegant dress and hat for women.
WomenMen
Black tie optional
A tuxedo is welcome but a dark suit and tie is fine; for women, a long gown or elegant cocktail dress.
WomenMen
Creative black tie
Black tie with personality: velvet or coloured dinner jackets, unusual fabrics and accessories.
WomenMen
Cocktail attire
Elegant but less formal than black tie: a knee-length or midi cocktail dress, a dark suit with a tie.
WomenMen
Business formal
The most conservative office dress: a dark suit and tie, a skirt or trouser suit.
WomenMen
Semi-formal
Between cocktail and business: a suit for men (tie optional), an elegant dress or trouser suit for women.
WomenMen
Business professional
Everyday dress in a traditional office: a suit or blazer with trousers/skirt, a shirt, leather shoes.
WomenMen
Business casual
Today's office standard: no suit or tie, but polished – chinos, shirts, blazers, blouses, loafers.
WomenMen
Garden party attire
Light, bright and elegant for a day outdoors: floral dresses, linen suits, hats.
WomenMen
Smart casual
Casual clothes, but considered: dark jeans or chinos, a shirt or good knit, a blazer, leather shoes or clean sneakers.
WomenMen
Dressy casual
A notch above smart casual: a dress or dressy trousers, a collared shirt, no tie.
WomenMen
Resort wear
Holiday elegance: light, loose pieces in natural fabrics that go from the pool to dinner.
WomenMen
All codes at a glance
| Code | When | Tie | Trousers (women) | Jeans | Sneakers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White tie | Evening only (after 6 pm) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Morning dress | Daytime (until 6 pm) | Yes | Depends | No | No |
| Black tie | Evening (after 6 pm) | Yes | Depends | No | No |
| Black tie optional | Evening | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Creative black tie | Evening | Depends | Yes | No | No |
| Cocktail attire | Evening (usually 6–9 pm) | Depends | Yes | No | No |
| Business formal | Working hours | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Semi-formal | Day or evening | Depends | Yes | No | No |
| Festive attire | Evening | Depends | Yes | No | No |
| Business professional | Working hours | Depends | Yes | No | No |
| Business casual | Working hours | No | Yes | Depends | Depends |
| Garden party attire | Daytime | Depends | Yes | No | No |
| Beach formal | Day or sunset | No | Yes | No | No |
| Smart casual | Any time | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dressy casual | Any time | No | Yes | Depends | No |
| Resort wear | Any time | No | Yes | Depends | Depends |
| Casual | Any time | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What to wear to…
WeddingCocktail attire · Semi-formal · Black tie
FuneralBusiness formal · Business professionalJob interviewBusiness professional · Business casual · Smart casual
Theatre and operaSmart casual · Semi-formal · Cocktail attireChristmas partyFestive attire · Cocktail attire · Smart casual
ChristeningSemi-formal · Smart casual · Garden party attireHow to read an invitation
- The dress code is usually in the bottom right corner of the invitation or in the event description.
- 'Optional', 'preferred' or 'invited' mean the hosts will dress formally and guests may choose.
- Time matters: an event after 6 pm almost always means darker, dressier clothes.
- Unclear wording (e.g. 'elegant')? Go cocktail – it fits most evening events.
Frequently asked
01What is a dress code?
A dress code is a rule, on an invitation or at work, for how formally to dress. From most to least formal: white tie, black tie, cocktail, semi-formal, business, business casual, smart casual and casual.
02What is the most formal dress code?
White tie – a tailcoat with a white bow tie for men and a ball gown with long gloves for women. By day, the most formal is morning dress.
03Smart casual vs business casual?
Business casual is office wear without a suit and tie. Smart casual is casual wear dressed up: dark jeans and clean sneakers fit here.
04What if the invitation has no dress code?
Go by time and place: evening at a restaurant or manor means cocktail; daytime outdoors means semi-formal or smart casual. If unsure, ask the hosts – that's perfectly normal.
05Is it better to be overdressed or underdressed?
Slightly overdressed is always better: you can take off a jacket or a tie. Underdressing can look disrespectful to the hosts.