Dressing for a Specific Occasion

When invited to an occasion which requires a black tie for men and a cocktail dress for women, one should always abide by the dress code. In today’s society there’s a certain amount of latitude and disagreement over what’s permissible and what’s not, and it’s clear that most ladies and gentlemen don’t know what’s expected of them. Fortunately you have a trusted guide who’s willing to yield the knowledge of dressing for a specific occasion.

1. Wedding

The first thing you should consider when preparing to attend a wedding is the given dress code instructions. Many traditional weddings require white but there are many exceptions. The next thing to take into consideration is wearing something that’s not going to upstage the Groom and Bride. It might sound obvious not to upstage but for some people that can be difficult, rather it be because it’s a part of their personality to upstage or it be because that’s all they have to wear. Next you want to consider the season as that’s going to determine the kind of dress or suit you’re going to be wearing. If it’s a spring wedding the dress code is most likely going to be loose and allow a beautiful array of colors, as if it were a winter wedding white and maybe black would be acceptable depending on the groom and bride.

What To Wear:

 Once you’ve got the details down you can start deciding what kind of dress or suit you’re going to wear. For women if it is summer/ spring a beautiful floral, slip, or simple black dress with sandals or flats and some added accessories would make for an appropriate outfit. For winter a wrap, maxi, peplum, or bodycon dress layered with a fur or wool coat and some heels would be appropriate. When it comes to dress code for men in the spring/ summer a classic short sleeve oxford shirt with dress pants and loafers would suffice. During the winter the man has the option of wearing a long sleeve oxford shirt or a knit turtleneck layered with a trench coat or blazer with a pair of boots.

2. Dinner Party

Like in every fairytale, a dinner party is the most important event for it is the perfect time to showcase your wealth and status through fashion and etiquette. The most important thing to take into consideration when attending such a prestigious event is the Black Tie Optional dress code. The black tie optional dress code is based on the standard of how you are allowed to dress, meaning you have the option of wearing their most formal attire or something formal but not too casual. In this scenario it’s allowed and praised to look better than the host. When deciding if something is too casual or not, a ladies dress shouldn’t be higher than the knees and for gentlemen, avoid anything loose or laid back.

What To Wear:

Now that you have an idea of the black tie optional dress code you can start looking for the perfect outfit. When looking, take humidity into consideration. Depending on the dinner party being in or outside,  the humidity is going to play a big part in what you wear. If it’s an outside dinner party as a female you should consider wearing an asymmetrical cape sleeve dress with colors that match the scenery, black cone heels, and silver accessories. As a male you can wear a slim fit white button down worn under a neutral color vest, a tailored blazer with matching trousers, matching vest color loafers, a watch, and brooch. If it’s an inside dinner women should wear a long sequin knit dress with matching high heels and a diamond necklace. For men, an oxford shirt tucked into tailored pants with a blazer or over coat, (something easy to put on and take off) detailed loafers or combat boots, and a chair and or watch.

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3. Funeral

Dressing up for a funeral can be the most devastating moment of the day, as it’s the time to reflect on the reality of the unfortunate endeavor. Traditionally, black has been the color of mourning in many cultures for anyone attending a funeral. Nowadays, the expectations are less strict so it can come in handy to know what general funeral etiquette can consist of. Before getting into things that would be acceptable we are going to break down what’s not acceptable, as there are many more things to consider. Even if you’re attending a more laid back funeral it’s best to take into consideration colors that would not be considered traditional such as red, orange, yellow, green, bright hues, and nothing with bold or loud patterns. As for gentlemen, you should avoid wearing jeans, short sleeve shirts, shorts, athletic shoes, and caps. Children however have the option of wearing something more lifelike as they are the symbol of life. It’s common to see young boys in shorts at funerals and everyday events as in some cultures the boy doesn’t start wearing pants till he’s no longer considered a boy but a young man. As for little girls, colors such as purple and pink may be acceptable if they aren’t crossed with bold patterns.

What To Wear:

Wearing the proper attire to a funeral shows respect and care for the deceased, and their family and friends. When picking out an outfit for a funeral it’s important to lean towards the conservative side, covering up as much as you can. For women a socially acceptable outfit would be a black sheath dress with black legging, black stilettos, and a large or tiny black hat with a fishnet style veil to finish. Little girls can opt for dark purple or a navy sundress with flats or sandals and some possible jewelry. As for men, things are rather simple as showing up in a suit and tie would be most appropriate with the exception of covering up with a large black trench coat or jacket. As for shoes men should stick with classic loafers or dress shoes. Little boys have the option of wearing a suit and tie or the option of wearing a classic white button down tucked into black or navy shorts with a matching blazer or jacket.

Dressing for a specific occasion will get easier and easier as you start to get the hang of etiquette. Should we do a part two holiday edition? Let us know in the comments!