Dress codes

Dress codes. It could just be that I'm a stickler for detail (which is completely true) but has anyone else noticed that people have started playing fast and loose with their attire for formal events? 

A couple of years ago I went to a wedding in Melbourne where the dress code was formal. I'm not a big fan of a full-length dress at a wedding (I tend to go a bit nuts on the dance floor and don't want anything to inhibit my range of movement) so I opted for a rather flash, strapless cocktail number. For some silly reason I anticipated being underdressed for the occasion but when we turned up I realised it was quite the opposite. To my great astonishment there were several ladies wearing cotton sundresses. 

For me, this is unfair to the bride and groom, who clearly wanted a classy affair and requested people to be dressed in style for that exact reason. So I thought I'd clear up some of the confusion around dress codes. The below list is ordered from most dressy to most relaxed.

Evening / black tie

Women should wear an evening gown for these occasions, which are floor length and sophisticated. Steer clear of short dresses, heels that you wear out to nightclubs and tailored jackets. Gloves are a common accessory and a wrap or shawl is often used as a cover-up.

For men, you'll need to crack out the dinner suit. That means a bow tie (despite the name of the dress code it can be a white tie), a properly pressed white shirt and perhaps even a waistcoat. If you're going to a function of this calibre and you don't have the appropriate attire, borrow one. Hire one. Do anything other than turn up in your work suit. You'll feel terribly under-dressed in a large crowd of swanky guests, which is never fun.

Busy Phillips was seriously underdressed at the 2012 SAG awards

Formal

Men wear a suit and tie - one that is slightly more formal than what you would wear to work. A lot of men have a specific suit that they dust off just for these sorts of occasions. Make sure it's well cut and fits you properly; you don't want to look like you've turned up in your dad's suit!

Ladies will need to don a cocktail dress or something slightly longer; nothing shorter than an inch or so above the knees, though. Evening gowns are a bit too much for this sort of affair. 

Semi-formal / cocktail

These two codes are interchangeable and generally mean that men should be wearing a suit and tie, while women can wear a knee-length dress. Again, stay away from cotton and anything too short. Also make sure your dress suits your shape and is age- and occasion-appropriate. If it's a 21st birthday party feel free to unleash the super heels but keep it more modest if you're heading out to a christening.

Lounge suit

This is one that often causes confusion. For men, you'll still need a suit but you can lose the tie if you wish. You'll still need to make sure you're wearing a nice, crisp (recently ironed) shirt and a suit jacket. 

Women can relax things a little but I'd still stick near the cocktail end of things, just in case. 

Smart casual

Jeans are still out for this; keep it to slacks and a collared shirt still for the men. Ladies can go more relaxed in trousers or a dress.

My tips:

• I've always believed that it's better to be overdressed than underdressed; you don't want to be the only chump at a state dinner not wearing an evening gown
• Never, ever, EVER wear jeans to a wedding. Even if it's a beach wedding and the dress code is smart-casual. A better alternative would be a pair of neutral chinos and a casual collared shirt for men, and I would recommend a colourful, light dress for ladies, either in a short or maxi style.

 
 Have you witnessed any dress-code blunders? I'd love to hear your stories!