Formal Attire
Formal wear, as the name suggests, is a dress code for formal occasions associated with dresses or gowns for women and a suit and tie for men. As a traditional western dress code, formal attire is typical in ceremonies, weddings, christenings, funerals, and military parades. Formal wear can include uniformed attire, educational attire, religious clothing, court dresses, ball gowns, and evening gowns for women. Though formal attire was standard for many past generations, today it is often seen as only for special old-fashioned occasions and is often superseded by casual attire for most situations. Still, formal attire is still prominently featured in churches, boardrooms, and military places worldwide and among the old and young alike.
Formal attire is divided into white tie and black tie. White tie is the most formal dress attire and clothing items include floor-length evening gowns for women and tuxedo sets for men. Black tie events call for cocktail dresses and floor length evening gowns for women and tuxedos for men. Formal attire is used for formal occasions like weddings, baptisms, confirmations, funerals, Easter, and Christmas.
Semi-formal attire can be defined as clothing that is dressier than what is worn at the office, but less dressy than formal attire. Semi-formal attire for women includes formal tops, strappy sandals, and dressy flats. Semi-formal attire for men include dress shirts, vests, and ties. Semi-formal attire can be worn to weddings, holiday parties, and fine dining restaurants.
Formal attire for a wedding can be divided into white or black tie. White tie is more formal than black tie. Women should wear floor-length gowns, cocktail dress, or formal pants suit. Dress options for women are the same in both formal attire and black-tie optional. Men have the choice of either wearing a tuxedo or formal dark suit, white dress shirt, and tie.
