Dress and Attire Types – What to Wear and When
How to Dress for Different Occasions and Life Events
May 3, 2009
Here are some tips on how to dress for occasions from the work day to the fun night out or the cocktail party.
Business/Corporate
This is where you wear a suit – both guys and girls. Think the dark pinstripe suit with ties, the skirt suit with button-front shirts. Your overall image needs to be professional, tailored, well-groomed and stylish. Ladies, consider investing in a three-piece suit set, with skirt pants and jacket. If there is a dress available as well, it will be worth purchasing this also. For the guys, purchase the best quality shirts you can afford, and have a series of ties available that co-ordinate with shirts.
Business Casual
This is where you can relax – ever so slightly. For women, this means tailored pants, pumps and twin sets; skirts, hosiery and smart sweaters; and classic accessories: pearls, simple jewellery, timeless handbags and belts. The suit can still be worn, try it with a soft blouse and a cardigan. Men – the suit pants with long-sleeved shirt and tie, but not necessarily the jacket. It is handy to keep a jacket close by, just in case.
Smart Casual
Casual Fridays are becoming the curse of every employer. Casual dress is being interpreted as very relaxed. Every workplace is different, but unless your employer specifically says so, I would avoid jeans. If you do wear jeans, however, keep them clean and simple in a dark wash and a flattering bootcut – same for guys. Dress them up with a twin set and pumps for girls; guys, try a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
You want your overall look to be smart and polished. Try flat-front pants and twin set with a coloured scarf around your neck, a shift dress with a roll-neck jumper and flat boots. Guys can get away with well-cut pants and neat polo shirts teamed with loafers. Grooming is still important, as your attention to detail will make or break your look.
Casual
Here is where you can pull out your favourite suede or leather jacket and jeans. Think neat t-shirts with Bermuda (knee-length, wide leg) shorts and flat sandals. You can add prints and wear minimal make-up. Fitted, dark wash denim jackets are more flattering on every woman and are more versatile than their washed-out counterparts. This is what you would wear to a low-key barbeque or shopping on the weekend, to a kid’s birthday party or to breakfast in a café on Sunday. For the men, denim shorts and tee, cargo shorts and polo tops.
Formal
When presented with an invitation to a formal affair, ladies, start dreaming! This is where you get to dress up! Ball gowns in rich jewel coloured fabrics, like black, purple, dark green, navy and reds with velvet clutch handbags and sparkly chandelier ear-rings with necklaces. Guys: a tux or dinner suit.
Semi-formal
Semi-formal can also be described as cocktail or lounge attire. This is where the little black dress comes into its own. Wear with strappy heels in a sparkly finish and add a co-ordinating clutch bag. The jewellery you wear should be a statement in itself, don’t be afraid of shining a little. Men should consider a suit with no tie. Put a tie in your pocket, just in case you feel underdressed.
Informal
This is not to be confused with casual. Think smart casual: A-line skirts and heels with shirts and tailored jackets. This is what you would wear out to dinner at a restaurant or to drinks at a friend’s house.
There is a minefield of potential faux-pas to be made when it comes to dressing appropriately. Avoid feeling and looking out of place by following basic rules. If in doubt, ask the person who is hosting the event, or speak to your boss about appropriate office wear. One rule of thumb is to dress up whenever possible. It raises the bar and you are instantly given more credibility, and you also show that you take pride in yourself and respect others enough to make the effort for them.
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