Dress Code Ambiguity: What To Do When You're Not Sure Formal Wear Is Appropriate

For many of us, dressing up for a formal event is always something to look forward to, as the next wedding, awards ceremony, or work function is just another excuse to look our very best.  For others, digging out one's best formal wear can be a bit of a chore, especially when a gentlemen is unsure whether or not they may be overdoing their own sense of style for a particular event, or worst case, when any set of dress code guidelines are unclear.

            As it goes with formal wear, there's no on-and-off switch that gets us from our everyday casual clothes into rigid black-tie attire.  Rather, it is a continuum, full of nuance, variation, and individual deviations largely dependent on personal style preferences and regional customs that determine one's outfit for any given evening.  And, quite frankly, without these nuances, getting ready for social gatherings would be rather boring if we were all expected to wear the exact same thing without any deviations whatsoever.  But of course, most formal events and their respective dress codes fall within a particular set range that is expected, and staying within these parameters can be challenging sometimes, especially when the type of event or dress code is not well defined.

            In one of our previous articles, we discussed the general different types of dress codes one would find at various formal functions and how the guidelines for each are not always set in stone.  In this piece, we set out to revisit some of these aspects, only with a greater emphasis on the events themselves and what to do if a particular dress code or dress code suggestion isn't even indicated in the slightest, as this tends to happen quite frequently even with events where one would assume some semblance of formality is expected.

--Weddings--

            If there's any occasion at all where formal dress is to be expected most of the time, it is certainly the wedding.  To make it even easier on the guests and their wardrobe decisions, most wedding invitations will indicate which dress code is appropriate, whether it's black tie, black tie optional, formal, or even casual in some circumstances.  But sometimes, the expected dress code can be confusing, especially when a particular dress code for a given wedding may not be indicated at all.  The latter scenario can leave the invited guests in a bit of a quandary.  Generally, two options come to mind.  One could either go the safe route by wearing a full suit, or dress down toward the semi-formal realm by opting for a sport coat or a shirt and tie sans jacket.  Both of these choices come with inherent risks.  On the more formal end of the spectrum, you might appear to be overdressed, and the last thing you want to do at a wedding is outshine the betrothed.  The general rule here is to never wear a tuxedo to a wedding unless the invitation explicitly indicates a black-tie-only or a black-tie-optional dress code.  Short of that, wearing a full suit is the safer bet, so long as the wedding seems to fall into the more formal realm. 

            This can sometimes get tricky when it comes to destination weddings in exotic locations such as ceremonies being held directly on the beach or in remote mountain areas.  Although misunderstandings happen from time to time, it's never fun to show up to a ceremony dressed in a suit when everyone else is sporting Hawaiian shirts and khakis.  This aforementioned situation is likely a little bit better than being too casual for a formal wedding, but cause for an embarrassing scenario nonetheless.

            When in doubt, ask other invited guests you may know to see what their wardrobe plans are, and while their wild guess might be just as good as yours, they'll likely know a little bit more about what the wedding party will expect from the rest of the guests, especially if they know them better than you do.  It never hurts to ask, but in most situations, it's better to opt for a more formal appearance so long as you don't go overboard.  As weddings are expected to be festive and fun, don't automatically opt for the tuxedo if black-tie dress code isn't indicated, and if you go with a full suit, don't wear anything too solemn that you would wear to a funeral or a courthouse.  Even just a little color can go a long way.

--Work Functions--

            In many cases, showing up to work functions is easy, as so many of them are held directly after the work day is over and more often than not in the same office or building.  In this case, there's no need to scurry home to make any drastic wardrobe changes, as your typical work dress code will simply carry over to whatever event is taking place once the clock strikes 5 p.m.  In these situations, it's best to simply follow whatever dress code is standard for your place of work, especially if the work function is being held in your office.

            For work functions held offsite, late in the evening, or during the weekend, the dress code rules will vary here.  For company-wide events, you'll likely be notified of what is expected of the guests as far as wardrobe choices go.  But in some cases, the dress code isn't always spelled out.

            Weekend events held during daylight hours are likely to be on the more informal, casual side.  Bear in mind, however, that the term casual can mean different things to different people.  The rule of thumb to follow here is to at the very least be presentable.  While a polo shirt and jeans is probably okay for most company picnics or family-oriented events during the day, you'll want to avoid faded T-shirts or cutoffs unless it's some type of sporting event that specifically calls for that type of dress.

            Evening events, on the other hand, tend to skew more formal, so if the dress code isn't spelled out, opting for a dress shirt and a nice pair of pants at the bare minimum is always a safe practice to follow.  If you're really unsure or your company doesn't have a set dress code during the week, you can always keep a spare sport coat and tie in your car or bag just in case you show up to an event and feel underdressed.  As with most fashion nuances, it's more or less a judgment call.  You just want to be sure to wear something that others won't judge you too harshly for.

--Cocktail Parties--

            In the context of formal attire, cocktail parties are generally one of the easiest evening events to get ready for.  Men typically wear a suit and tie while women show up to these types of events sporting a cocktail dress, as full evening gowns and tuxedos would be considered too formal.  As cocktail parties normally begin during the early evening hours, it's expected that you can take more liberties with your personal style than you otherwise would during a typical workday or a black-tie dinner.  So long as your suit matches, unconventional shirt patterns or ties with bold colors aren't off-limits.  Just make sure that everything meshes well, as you wouldn't want to show up in a plaid suit while also wearing a plaid shirt, even if the patterns are subtle.  As you probably well know, wearing a patterned shirt with a patterned suit can throw the visuals of your outfit off-balance.

--Holiday Parties--

            While the holidays are still some distance away, gatherings that occur around Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be the most nuanced, as dress codes vary from the extreme side of formal all the way to everyday casual.  For holiday events, standards of dress will largely be dependent upon when and where the gathering occurs, the weather, the time of day, and whether it's a strictly family affair or more inclusive of friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and extended family visiting from other parts of the country.  Based on our combined experience, regardless of the dress code, it's best to wear something that you'll feel comfortable in for extended periods of time, as holiday gatherings in some cases can go well into the early morning hours, even if they start in the early evening.  For most applications in the context of holiday gatherings, you probably won't need to worry too much about tuxedos, cummerbunds, and bow ties, as the black-tie dress code is less common around this time of year.  Even a full suit might be too formal, but as a general rule, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.  If you find yourself in a situation where your clothes might feel a little too stuffy compared to everyone else's outfits, a suit can actually be quite versatile.  Feeling overdressed can be easily solved by removing your tie or jacket and rolling up your sleeves.  In situations where the weather might be a bit colder than you're used to if you plan on traveling for the holidays, consider packing a spare overcoat, as this item can be used in nearly all the different types of dress code variations out there without turning heads or looking out of place.

            No matter what your fashion sensibilities might be, Enzo Custom has you covered.  Whether you need a brand new custom tuxedo for a black-tie wedding coming up or simply want to add an overcoat to your wardrobe, our expert clothiers will get you fitted.  Stop into one of our showrooms, or if you feel more comfortable at home you can make an appointment with us via videoconference.