Have you ever been invited to a party but didn’t know what to wear? Holiday parties, after-work mixers and other special occasions may call for different attire. From black tie affairs to dressy casual, find out what party definitions mean and make a fashion statement at your next social event.
For casual events, feel free to wear something comfortable like a pair of jeans, a fitted cotton tee shirt and pair of sneakers. For “dressy casual” times, try something a tad fancier than a casual look. A great dressy casual outfit could include dark denim jeans, a fun button-down blouse and high heel shoes.
Semi-formal occasions, such as a special event or even an evening wedding, calls for dark suits on men and cocktail dresses for women. This particular social event can also be referred to as an “after five” party if it occurs at night. “Business formal” also falls under the semi-formal party, but may call for a woman to where something tailored (rather than something too revealing, sexy or skimpy).
Black tie occasions are typically call for formal attire, though there are also different variations of the event. Men are required to wear tuxedos and women can wear long dresses, cocktail dresses or fancy nighttime separates.
For “white tie” events, men must wear a complete outfit: a tux with white tie (as the name suggests) and vest. Women may wear long gowns.
Optional black tie (or “black tie invited”) allows participants the option of dressing in a formal dress or tuxedo. However, just because formal attire is “optional,” it still suggests that partygoers wear dark suits (for men) or cocktail dresses (for the ladies).
Creative black tie events are slightly more lax. Again, the attire should be formal though attendants can interpret fashions trends accordingly. Themed parties also fall under this category, such as “Texas Black Tie” events.
