How to Dress for a Formal Event
Most people do not have many occasions to wear formal clothes. People today is busy and casual. Whether it is a fancy company soiree or a posh evening wedding, there can be anxiety about what to wear. With some guidelines and a bit of patience in the dressing room, anyone can be perfectly dressed for a formal event. No previous fashion expertise is necessary. Follow this advice and make a grand entrance confidently. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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How to Dress for a Formal Event
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Look at the invitation to see if there is a dress code for the formal event. There are several levels of dress. Here are the basics, starting with the most formal. White Tie: Men wear a black tuxedo with tails, a white shirt, a white vest and a white tie. Women wear a full-length evening gown.Black Tie: Men wear a black tuxedo (no tails), a white shirt, a black vest or cummerbund and a black tie. Women wear a full-length evening gown or a dressy cocktail dress.Black Tie Optional: Men wear a black tuxedo (same as Black Tie attire) or a dark suit, a white (or light-colored) shirt and a conservative tie. Women may wear a full- length evening gown, a dressy cocktail dress or formal separates (no pants).Creative Black Tie: Men wear a black tuxedo mixed with fashion forward, more colorful options for shirt, tie and cummerbund. Women wear a full-length evening gown or a dressy cocktail dress and accessorize with trendy, colorful items. Semi-formal: Men wear a dark, business suit with a white (or light-colored) shirt and a conservative tie. Women wear a cocktail dress or a long formal skirt and fancy top.
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Try everything on and pay close attention to the fit of each garment for the formal event. If there is any pulling, bunching or creasing, then go up a size. Shoulder seams should be right at the edge of the shoulder. Don’t buy a jacket if it doesn’t button comfortably. Fit the largest part of the body and go to a tailor if other areas, like the waist, need to be taken in.
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Consider the appropriate length of dress or skirt hems and be wary of too much cleavage at a formal event. A little bit is fine for an evening party, but be modest. The highest a hem should go is an inch or two above the knee. Above that crosses the line to vulgar. As a general rule, women over 35 should not go above the knee.
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Consider the quality of fabric and details of construction. Think about texture or shine. Look for something with a special touch that takes the garment beyond every day wear.
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Don’t neglect the shoes for a formal event. Men must wear dark socks with their shoes to match the color of the trousers they are wearing. Wrong shoes or white socks make everything else look bad. The right shoes give a polished finish to the whole look.
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Tips & Warnings
Very few people have an ideal body. Don’t focus on the flaws. Find clothes that emphasize the best features. Even for men, there are jacket options for formal wear that can flatter different body types.
When shopping, try many different things on. Try things that are a bit outside your comfort zone. It could lead to a great discovery.
If something doesn’t look good or doesn’t fit, don’t take it personally and get discouraged. Try other options until you find one that suits you.
Think of the possibilities with alterations. A tailor is a good friend.
Heed the advice of Nina Garcia, editor-at-large for Elle magazine and judge for Project Runway. She says, “Shiny, tight and short (all together in one outfit) is the quickest way to look cheap.”
When putting together a formal outfit of separates, avoid the temptation to make every piece a “wow” statement. Choose one really exceptional piece and let the others be more
subtle.
Resources
- Photo Credit Cheryl Hedlund
