Etiquette quide

You have received an invitation card, with a special dressing required.

Knowing the generally acceptable dress code helps you choose the right clothes for occasions where the invitation stipulates formal dress. Whilst it's not always necessary to comply with dress etiquette, you have to know the rules before you can break them with style.
As a general rule, a person can wear clothes at the specified level or above; ie. if the invitation specifies black tie, a guest can wear dark suit instead.

The exceptions are:

  • Most people do not out-dress their host or hostess (if there is one) 
  • Many people will consider it impolite or eccentric if a guest is too far above the dress code. "Too far" varies from situation to situation. If in doubt, guests ask their hosts or stick to the dress code.
Level Other names Men Women
    Morning dress Evening dress Women's dress
Formal Full formal, Full dress, Formal attire Morning wear White tie Ball Gown
Semiformal Smoking, Le Smoking Stoller Black tie Evening Gown
Cocktail Attire Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him.
Informal Cocktail attire, Business attire Business wear
Smart Casual Business casual (old-style), Executive Casual, Corporate Casual Smart casual
Business Casual Dressy, Resort Casual, Country Club, Casual chic, Semi-casual, Neat casual Business casual


For Dress code purposes, the following definitions are used:

Теrm Definition
Morning Before 6pm
Evening After 6pm
Summer Mid April - Labour day
Winter Labour day - Mid April
S.t. (sine tempore – лат.) No delay
C.t. (cum tempore – лат.) Delay no more than 15 min
R.S.V.P. Answer requisited


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