Party Dress Code Etiquette
On an invitation, the fine print does matter. If the host has a dress code on the invitation, you should follow it, or risk major embarrassment -- or scornful looks. Does this Spark an idea?
Significance
Schools have dress codes; so do nightclubs. Dress wrong for a party and you probably won't get suspended or turned away, but you risk upsetting the host or sticking out like, well, a guy dressed in shorts and a polo shirt amidst a sea of tuxes.
Types
There are seven main dress codes, according to Evite.com: white tie/ultra-formal, black tie/formal, semi-formal/informal, cocktail, dressy casual, business casual and casual.
No Sweat
The easiest category to dress for likely is casual, which Evite.com terms as "anything goes." You could show up in jeans or shorts and be fine in this case, such as for a summer barbecue.
Requires Planning
Men should wear a collared shirt and khakis for business casual, and a jacket or collared shirt with nice pants for dressy casual, according to Evite.com. Women can wear a skirt or dressy pants in either case.
May Require Shopping
A dress code of cocktail or semi-formal/informal is where it begins to get fancy. Women should wear a knee-length dress (a skirt's also fine for cocktail) and men a dark suit, says Evite.com.
Get it Right
If your invite says "black tie" or "formal," show up in a tux or a dress that comes at least to the knee. "White tie" or "ultra-formal" requires a white vest, shirt, bowtie and tailcoat for men and a long gown for the ladies, says Evite.com.
Tags: according Evite, black formal, business casual, Code Etiquette, collared shirt, Dress Code Etiquette, dress codes