Decoding the Dress Code: What Should I Wear to a Formal Wedding?

Formal

A formal dress code falls somewhere between a cocktail dress code and black tie dress code. For women, this dress code requires a short or long formal dress, a pantsuit or dressy separates.

For men, a formal dress code will see them wearing a dark suit, white shirt and conservative tie – or a tuxedo if they prefer. Basically, a formal dress code is another way to describe black tie optional.

Black Tie Optional

If an invitation arrives with Black Tie Optional you’ll want to follow the same rules as a formal dress code. This means A dark suit with a shirt and tie for men (or a tuxedo), whilst women should opt for a floor-length gown, knee-length cocktail dress, a pantsuit or dressy separates.

If you want to wear a dress:

Go for a formal dress, avoiding "daytime" materials like cotton. Your dress can be short or long - but do make sure it's appropriate for the occasion.

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