Appropriate attire has been traditionally indicated by the time of day and location of the event and does not properly appear on wedding or formal invitations.  With many guests being potentially unaware of this point of etiquette, you may feel it necessary to indicate appropriate dress on your invitation or reception cards.

When using “Black tie”, the B is uppercase and the t is lowercase.  Black tie generally appears in the lower right-hand corner of the reception card.  When no reception card is used, “Black tie” appears in the lower right-hand corner of the invitation.  If you do not like corner lines on invitations, you may include a reception card to indicate the type of dress.

Black tie means formal.  Women wear long cocktail dresses or dressy evening separates.  Men please wear tuxedos.

Black tie optional or Black tie invited means you have the option of wearing a tuxedo, but it gives you an indication as to the formality of the event.  A dark suit and a tie would be the other option for men and women should choose long cocktail dresses or dressy evening separates.

Casual means anything goes, but please be tasteful, no holes, tears or paint spots.

Cocktail attire simply means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him.

Creative black tie allows for personality influences in your formal wear.  Men can go with a more modern tuxedo – maybe a black shirt, no tie.  Women can wear long or short dresses or separates (maybe a long lace or sequined skirt with a sleek blouse).

Dressy casual usually means no jeans or shorts.  A cocktail-length dress for the ladies and your standard khakis with a button-down shirt and tie for the guys…no jacket required.  This attire is similar to business casual, but a bit dressier.

Formal usually means the same as Black tie.  If your host is especially trendy, men may wear a black shirt, no tie with a tuxedo.  Tradition, however, requires that men wear the standard tuxedo and women wear long cocktail dresses or dressy evening separates.

Informal can mean the same as casual, however, when the event is associated with a wedding or another special occasion, some form of decorum and respect should prevail.  A dress for her or a nice pair of slacks and a shirt for him are informal, but respectful of the event.

Nightclub chic suggests nothing other than black and sleek.

Semi formal is the trickiest of all dress codes.  Typically it means that tuxedos are not required, nor are long dresses.  An evening event (after 6:00 pm) would still require a dark suit for men and a cocktail dress for women.  Daytime semi formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriat short dress or dressy suit for her.

Sophisticated resortwear means upscale sundresses for her and subtly colored linen trousers for him.

Themed attire (when in Rome…) means please find appropriate attire to go with the event theme

Themed attire is becoming more prevalent these days and dress codes have expanded to fit the occasion.  To encourage your guests to dress in costume, include a specific request on the invitation, such as:  “Renaissance garb requested but not required.”  Be sure to let guests know that they may still attend even if they do not dress for the theme, otherwise you may alienate those guests who don’t feel comfortable in costume.

Ultra formal means white tie.  Women wear long gowns.  Men wear full dress, with white tie, vest and shirt.

White tie means ultra-formal.  Women wear long gowns.  Men wear full dress with white tie, vest and shirt.

Outdoor Events
It is extremely helpful and considerate to mention to your guests that your event will be held outdoors.  To do so appropriately, simply add it into the wording of your invitation.  For example, prior to giving the location name and address include a line that states “in the garden”, “under the stars”, or “on the terrace”; whichever wording is appropriate.

 

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