Types of Evening Wear

Different styles and classifications of evening wear suit a wide range of events, budgets and locales. A semiformal wedding requires a different type of clothing than the Met Costume Institute Gala, while cocktail dressing encompasses yet another set of rules. Even a trip past the Mason-Dixon line can reveal a change in the definition of evening dress. Regardless of how the styles may change, evening wear still feels special every time a woman slips it on.

Identification

Evening wear is usually marked by more formal fabrics, dramatic silhouettes and higher cost per garment. Common evening wear fabrics include silk, satin, velvet, chiffon, georgette and metallic lame. In addition, evening wear ensembles typically include a pair of special-occasion shoes, a small clutch bag and an elaborate hairstyle.

Formal dress is widely available, with most leading department stores housing an evening wear department. In addition, many bridal salons and Internet stores also carry dressy clothing. However, great evening ensembles can often be produced from a combination of everyday fashions and fancier pieces.

Types

In the world of women's evening wear, dresses rule the field. For less-formal occasions, such as drinks or a nice dinner out, a knee-length or shorter cocktail dress is the best choice. Cocktail dresses also work for a night of dancing or a semiformal wedding.

Usually, the more formal the event, the longer the dress. For a semiformal wedding, a dress that falls at or slightly below the knee is suitable, as is a tea-length dress. Ankle- or full-length dresses are the most formal of all lengths and usually cost the most. A full-length dress may have a train, or it can have a very full skirt; depending on the structure, it may require underpinnings, such as a petticoat or slip. Long dresses are a must at white-tie events, formal weddings, balls and galas.

The Appropriateness of Evening Suits and Dress Pants

Some women prefer to wear a formal suit or pants outfit as evening wear. In some instances, this can work; well-cut pants with an embellished top are appropriate for business formal functions and look very respectable. However, they may not be the best choice for the most formal of occasions.

Instead of a suit, try what fashion matriarch Carolina Herrera always wears: a fancy white blouse, combined with a sweeping, floor-length skirt. This look is elegant and time-tested, gaining popularity back in the 1940s and 1950s. Formal suits and dress-pants ensembles are best left for church, the theater, dinner parties and semiformal events.

Considerations

The very definition of evening wear, and the types of clothing appropriate for that category, has changed drastically. Nowadays, starlets sometimes wear cocktail-like dresses to the Emmys, and maxi-length dresses are popular for the cocktail hour. In some venues, it's fine to get creative with evening wear. In others, it's not such a good idea.

Although designers and editors may be styling casual shirts with formal bottoms in editorial shoots and on the runway, it can be a risky proposition in the real world. If in doubt, it's always best to stick to an ensemble that's obviously formal. Being overdressed is better and less embarrassing than arriving underdressed. No matter what your personal preference is, your attire should be something that honors the occasion and shows what respect it merits from you.

Geography

Evening wear changes according to the section of the United States. On the coasts in Los Angeles and New York, evening wear is always glamorous and sexy. On the West Coast, the fit is tight, glitzy and revealing; in New York City, there's sensuality with a more modern or structured appearance. Both places also feature avant-garde looks, such as the female tuxedo and dresses made from nonstandard fabrics, such as leather.

Down South, fashion is more formal and conservative. There's more of a feminine, modest look in Southern fashion. People are apt to dress in classic silhouettes, eschewing flashy designs in favor of girlish charm. Fabrics are often lighter, and formal suits are more common.

Resources

• Evening Wear Guide: Women's Evening Wear