Etiquette guide
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 White tie 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 |
