CASUAL
Casual means relaxed, but it’s still a party, people! Swap heels for cute flats and think “day dress” vs. evening wear. Even separates (skirts and nicer-than-usual tops) are fair game. Men can wear a golf shirt or button down (no tee shirts!) and khakis. Jeans are wearable, too, only if they’re hole-free and not faded/stained.
DENIM & DIAMONDS/ JEANS & BLING
Jeans are a given, but not head to toe. Choose one dark denim piece (jeans, top or jacket) and pair with a more glam item of clothing, like a fabulous designer blouse, red-carpet worthy necklace, or sparkly mini-skirt. Men’s denim should be sharp, not sloppy, with a button down or “date night” shirt.
NO JACKETS, NO JEANS – DRESS IN BETWEEN/ DRESSY CASUAL
Jackets and ties are not expected for men, so a dress shirt and khakis is the way to go. Women get the WIDE open range from business casual to party attire. Choose co*cktail pants and a sparkly top, or a dress that you’d feel comfortable wearing during the day as well.
DRESSY ATTIRE/ DRESS TO IMPRESS/ FESTIVE/ PARTY ATTIRE
A co*cktail dress or party separates in bright colors are completely appropriate, or add some bling to brighten an LBD (little black dress.) Men can wear a sport coat and slacks with an open collar or a bright tie.
co*ckTAIL/ EVENING/ SEMI-FORMAL
For women, this note is much the same as dressy attire, although you could go long as well as short in the co*cktail dress department. The bigger difference here is for men, who should go with a dark suit, dress shirt and tie.
BLACK TIE/ BLACK TIE OPTIONAL
This is the dressiest of dressy occasions, so go for it in a floor length gown or extra fabulous co*cktail dress. Just remember to choose a dress you can dance in. Men, get out the tux, if you’ve got one. If not, choose a dark suit, white shirt, and the most formal of ties and shoes.
If the invitation goes beyond these commonly seen descriptors and you’re still at a loss as to what to wear, reach out to the hosts, or (if you’re not close to them) check with a mutual friend who’d be in-the-know. And remember, most style and etiquette experts agree it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed for any celebratory occasion!
Need more Mitzvah style inspiration? Check out our Dress Code Decoded board on Pinterest!
I'm a seasoned fashion enthusiast with a deep understanding of dress codes and event etiquette. Over the years, my involvement in the fashion community and continuous study of style trends have equipped me with firsthand expertise in deciphering and navigating various dress codes. Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article about dress codes for different occasions.
-
CASUAL: Casual dress code implies a relaxed atmosphere. For women, this might involve swapping heels for cute flats and opting for day dresses instead of evening wear. Separates, like skirts paired with nicer-than-usual tops, are considered appropriate. Men can wear golf shirts or button-downs with khakis. Jeans are acceptable, provided they are hole-free and not faded or stained.
-
DENIM & DIAMONDS/ JEANS & BLING: This dress code suggests incorporating denim into the outfit without going head-to-toe. Choose one dark denim piece (jeans, top, or jacket) and pair it with a more glamorous item, such as a designer blouse, a red-carpet-worthy necklace, or a sparkly mini-skirt. Men's denim should be sharp, paired with a button-down or a "date night" shirt.
-
NO JACKETS, NO JEANS – DRESS IN BETWEEN/ DRESSY CASUAL: Men are not expected to wear jackets or ties, making a dress shirt and khakis suitable. Women have a wide range, from business casual to party attire. Options include co*cktail pants with a sparkly top or a dress suitable for both day and evening wear.
-
DRESSY ATTIRE/ DRESS TO IMPRESS/ FESTIVE/ PARTY ATTIRE: This level of dressiness allows for co*cktail dresses, party separates in bright colors, or adding bling to a little black dress. Men can opt for a sport coat and slacks with an open collar or a bright tie.
-
co*ckTAIL/ EVENING/ SEMI-FORMAL: Similar to dressy attire for women, the difference here lies in men's attire. Men should go for a dark suit, dress shirt, and tie. Women have the flexibility to choose between short and long co*cktail dresses.
-
BLACK TIE/ BLACK TIE OPTIONAL: The most formal of occasions, where women can wear floor-length gowns or extra fabulous co*cktail dresses. Men should ideally wear a tuxedo; if not, a dark suit with a white shirt and a formal tie is acceptable.
Remember, if the dress code is unclear, it's advisable to reach out to the hosts or check with a mutual friend who might have more information. And when in doubt, it's generally better to be overdressed than underdressed for celebratory occasions.
