Did you ever wonder what Informal actually means? What exactly are you supposed to wear to a Business event? Join the club.
Casual, Informal, Semi-Formal, ect. were originally meant to tell you what type of seating you might expect. From that you could gather what type of clothing to wear.
Here’s the thing, when it comes to dress, all of these rules are now malleable. People tend to wear what they want now-a-days and I think that’s great. These are guidelines so that you know what the general standard is, when it comes to putting this into practice, you know what you feel comfortable with. When you look at the list below, it is highly gendered. This is because of the historic president which would have been sex specific. In the modern day, you do you boo.
That said, be kind. Think of your host. While it isn’t all about them, it isn’t all about you either. The whole point is that if you accept an invitation, you’re expected to go with the spirit of the party. Don’t show up to a formal event in a t-shirt. If you refuse to wear a suit or anything other than track suits, just decline the invite. Don’t ruin other people’s fun.
Also, this is just going to be an overview, it is not an exhaustive look at what people historically wore in these categories because there was so much change over time. I’ll leave that to the costubers that I adore so much. I’m looking at this from a mainly etiquette perspective.
I also want to note that I couldn’t point out every time the historic doesn’t match the present. The Chocolataire was to the 19th century gal, an informal event. It was likely that the desserts were served buffet style and there was no assigned table seating. She would have shown up in a full length tea dress, observe social etiquette we would consider formal and yet, she would have considered it delightfully informal. If one was to throw a Chocolataire today we would still consider the seating informal, but you would be expected to dress up more than “informal” implies to us today.
Okay, here’s a list in order of least formal to most formal:
Casual
Casual parties are truly laid back. You can wear what you want. For a casual party you can arrive in the general vicinity of the named starting time. Sit where you like, if there are seats available. “Casual” indicates that there will be no tables provided, but that seating will have been arranged. This is why the clothing at casual parties is expected to be comfortable, you might end up seated on the ground or holding your plate in your hand as you eat, so you wouldn’t want to be wearing something precious.
In the 19th Century there was no such thing as “casual” dress as we know it today. The time of day and the activity designated what you would wear.
Informal
Informal is a step above casual. You can wear relaxed clothes, but not just anything. You’re supposed to look neat and presentable. For an informal party, you’re expected to arrive within 15 minutes of the starting time unless it is an open house or the invitation specifically says to come anytime between given hours. Informal parties should have tables, but the seating will not be assigned. Your dress is supposed be slightly elevated because you will be seated around a table, but the food for an informal meal will not be fussy and your dress should reflect that.
Business Casual
Business Casual is not casual. You are supposed to look presentable and also professional. While suits are not required, button up shirts and dresses no higher than just above the knee are. There is no table seating, though standing tables are sometimes provided. Think mixers at trade conferences, cocktails after a lecture or academic settings. Business casual implies that you will bring your work manners.
Business
Business attire is preferably suit and tie for men. Women are expected to wear what they would to a board meeting. Professional manners are expected. Normally tables will be provided and seating is usually not assigned, though your table may be. Here you are expected to be networking and solidifying business relationships, so your dress is supposed to reflect that. Think business award ceremonies, cocktails in an elegant setting or work related charity events.
Both Business Casual and Business dress are 20th Century inventions. This is why their dress codes are more lax than with Informal, Semi-Formal and Formal dress codes.
Semi-Formal
Semi-formal attire has changed drastically over the years. Until the fifties, Semi-Formal used to mean black bowtie for men. Tailcoats and dinner jackets were both acceptable with semi-formal wear. For the ladies, cocktail or tea dresses in the early evening and floor length gowns for later evening. For women, gloves were expected and for semi-formal day events such as those at church; hats or chapel veils were required.
Now, semi-formal is accepted to mean suits for men and at least, below the knee dresses for women. In some more formal places, women are still expected to wear tights or pantyhose with dresses that show the leg.
Formal
In the past Formal meant white bow tie only. Men were expected to wear a formal waist coat, gloves and top hat. For women, it meant ball gowns with above the elbow gloves. Formal for parties now generally means black tie or modern tuxedo. Dresses are meant to be floor length. The only exception to this was for formal day weddings, which meant Morning Suits, which featured a grey tail coat and top hat for men. Full length day dresses for women.
In one of those odd reversals of etiquette standards. In some places a “formal wedding” is usually less formal than a black tie wedding. Formal in this case, mean suits and fancy dresses, while black tie denotes tuxedos and full length gowns.
Fancy Dress
Fancy dress is a catch all term that allows one to escape and exceed all of the above rules. Fancy dress is what you make of it. It can mean a costume ball or a picnic where everyone dresses in Victorian garb. There are many definitions of fancy dress depending on where you are in the world. The one thing it means everywhere is that you are supposed to take it to eleven. Fancy dress is meant to be over the top.
Now get out there and party! Much love, Cheri
