What to Wear: Formal Dress Code

For most, “formal” brings senior year prom to mind, with all its sweaty palms and overpriced hotel rooms. Formal dress is where you confront your fear of fancy dress and pull it off: not as a stressed out pseudo-adult, but as a confident model of formal perfection. So forget prom, and get formal.

Formal attire usually means white or black tie wear. When attending social events such as a wedding, a formal party or dinner, a gala, formal wear is likely required. Women are generally expected to wear floor-length evening gowns, while men have more specific requirements, even though a tuxedo is generally a must. Women: bust out the jewels and the classy jewelry. There are not many restrictions for women in terms of the choice of color for their dress, while men are wearing almost all black or all white based on the host’s requirement. Women should base the color of their dress on the season. Dark color formal gowns in the winter and lighter color formal gowns in the summer.

Women:

Long Dress 

Evening Gown 

Backless Dress 

Cocktail Dress 

Jewels

High Heels

Men:

Modern Tux

No Tie with Tux

Button Down Long Sleeved Shirt 

Suit

Black Dress Pants 

Polished Black Dress Shoes 

Juniors:

Dress

Suit

Dress Pants

Skirt

Dress Shoes

What not to wear:

T-shirt

Ball Gown (This is a Bit Too Formal)

Shorts

Jeans

Sneakers