Dining Guide / What to Wear
Dress Codes Explained
“Black tie,” “cocktail” and “smart casual” on an invitation or a restaurant's website tell you how formal to dress. Here's what each level usually means and what to do when you're unsure.
Key Points
- A dress code is the host's or restaurant's way of saying what fits the occasion. From most to least formal, the usual order is white tie, black tie, cocktail or semiformal, business, smart casual and casual.
- White tie and black tie are for weddings, galas and formal evening dinners: a tuxedo or a long or formal dress. Daytime formal events usually call for a dark suit or an elegant dress instead.
- Cocktail or semiformal usually means a dark suit and tie, or a cocktail dress, dressy separates or a tailored suit.
- Smart casual usually means no tie is needed but you still look put together: a collared shirt or jacket, or a simple dress. Sneakers, shorts and flip-flops are generally out.
- The same words can mean different things to different hosts and restaurants. When in doubt, ask, or dress one step more formal than you think.
Do
- Read the whole invitation or restaurant notice
- Ask the host or restaurant when unsure
- Lean one step more formal if in doubt
- Bring a jacket you can take off
Avoid
- Treating “casual” as anything goes
- Dressing well below the stated code
- Guessing instead of checking
Handy Tip
When you can't decide, bring the jacket. Taking a layer off is easy; adding one you didn't bring is impossible.
Customs That Vary
Names and meanings vary by country. In Japan, wedding invitations sometimes say “heifuku” (literally “ordinary clothes”), which usually means smart, semiformal attire rather than everyday wear. Even “smart casual” can mean different things from one restaurant or city to the next.
Practice in a Lesson
Sources
- Emily Post Institute, “Attire Guide: Dress Codes from Casual to White Tie Formal” — The levels of dress codes from white tie to casual.
- Debrett's, “Addressing the Dress Code” — Asking the host when unsure, and what smart casual and lounge suits usually mean.
- Debrett's, “A World of Formality” — Following the invitation's dress code and erring on the side of formality.
- Zexy (Recruit), “What Does ‘Heifuku’ (Informal Attire) Mean on a Wedding Invitation?” (in Japanese) — Why “heifuku” on a Japanese invitation means smart attire, not everyday clothes.