READY FOR WEDDING SEASON? HERE’S HOW TO CRACK THE DRESS CODE

Wedding season is upon us, and with it, lots of pretty invitations with dates, destinations, and dress codes. Problem is, wedding dress codes are a minefield of ambiguity, so we’ve put together a guide to the ones you’re most likely to encounter.

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White tie
You may not have heard of it before (unless you’re royalty, a movie star or a diplomat), but white tie is the most formal of them all: in other words, medals of honour, family crests and even the odd tiara come out to play. For the rest of us, though, it means a formal evening gown for the women, and for men, a tuxedo with tails, vest, bowtie and your shiniest shoes. (Gloves and a top hat wouldn’t go amiss here, either.)

Black tie
Generally, for men, this means a tuxedo with bowtie, white shirt, cummerbund or braces, and patent leather shoes, while the ladies are expected to wear a floor length dress or a pant/dress suit (a la Queen Elizabeth), though you may be able to get away with a shorter dress if it’s very stylish: think Oscars red carpet. Heels or court shoes – no less.

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Black tie optional
This means that the bride and groom hope you’ll adhere to the black-tie dress code, but realise that this may be beyond the means (or bother) of some guests, in which case it is acceptable to wear formal attire (see below).

Formal
For women, formal attire is much the same as that for black tie, although you may get away with some blingy sandals instead of formal shoes, depending on the vibe. For men, it means a formal dark suit – evening or business – a smart button-up shirt and understated tie or bowtie.

Beach formal
This is South Africa after all, which means we’re as likely to get invited to a wedding on the beach as in a religious venue. The code here is similar to formal, but with a nod to coastal weather and terrain. A suit in a natural fabric like cotton or linen is appropriate for men, while women can wear lighter, summer dresses or pantsuits. Elegant sandals may be acceptable, and hopefully the wedding is not so formal that you can’t go barefoot on the sand.



Cocktail, semi-formal or ‘dressy’ formal
This is the most popular wedding dress code, because it strikes a balance between elegance and comfort. While formal suits or blazers and slacks are still expected for men, ties are usually not required (though you’d do well to just wear one anyway – you can always take it off).

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For women, wear whatever you’d normally wear to a cocktail do, or on a hot date at a classy restaurant (a pantsuit, a swanky jumpsuit or ritzy dress).

Daytime or casual
This generally means whatever you’d wear to a daytime work event: think business casual.

Smart jeans may be acceptable, but be sure to posh it up a bit with a blazer and crisp shirt (a handkerchief in the pocket is a nice touch). Posh sneakers may also be okay, in the same way they would be at Apple HQ, but, just as different work environments have different dress codes, so too do weddings, depending on the hosts. If you’re unsure, just ask.

For women, anything from a maxi dress to a jumpsuit to jeans, blouse and a blazer – it’s all about being groomed and like you’ve gone to some effort to look good for the occasion.

Come as you are
While this may, on the surface, seem to indicate that pantoffles and a onesie may be acceptable attire if you still happen to be wearing your jammies on the set day and time – but it does not (unless explicitly stipulated). Err on the side of caution by wearing something snazzy yet comfortable that is still suited to the occasion. Take into account what you know about the couple in question’s sense of style.



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