THE PROPER DRESS CODE: SHOWING COURTESY AND RESPECT

There is nothing more charming than to be dressed properly for any event or situation. It does not only reveal your wonderful good manners and taste, but also your consideration, courtesy and respect for yourself and for others. When you look impeccable and are dressed appropriately, not only you set the example, but it becomes your personal kind gesture of stating your authentic personality and more than that, your lovely essence.

Here key advices when it comes to the PROPER DRESS CODE… It sure is better to know and not need than the contrary.

If you receive an invitation, read it well. Invitations most of the time clearly state a DRESS CODE. When in doubt, do not hesitate to ask the host of the event.

1. CASUAL DOES NOT MEAN CARELESS OR SLOPPY.

Depending on the time of the day, weather; and always taking into consideration the religious or cultural beliefs of the hosts and their guests (you might need to do some research ahead):

* You should always look clean and tidy.

* Do not use clothes that are not well maintained, too sheer or disheveled.

* Never fall into exaggerations, which include over-the-top pieces of clothing, accessories, crazy volumes and cuts, colors, combinations, hairstyle or makeup.

* Avoid clothes or accessories that speaks up vulgarity; meaning too short, too tight or ultra-shinny; as well as very deep plunging.

* Your makeup and hairstyle should looked conveniently natural, even though it does not take five minutes to accomplish them.

* Your shoes should look impeccable.

* For informal or casual events, ladies can wear bags from medium to medium-small sizes.

* If you decide to wear denim, make sure that will not make you the underdress persona present. Again, ask the host!

2. FORMAL MEANS MEN NEED A SUIT & TIE AND LADIES NEED A LOVELY SHORT/MEDIUM LENGTH  ELEGANT DRESS.

FORMAL DRESS CODE, sometimes also called COCKTAIL ATTIRE, means:

LADIES

* You should use an elegant short/medium dress. It must never be too short.

* You could also opt for men-inspired suits, but make sure to give your look feminine touches through your jewelry, shoes, makeup and hairstyle.

* Preferably, wear high heels. They will not only make you look taller and more stylized, but they would make you ‘feel’ more feminine and prettier.

* Put some effort on your makeup and hairstyle without going over the top.

* Use a small evening bag or clutch.

* A nice perfume is a forever winner!

GENTLEMEN

* Wear a well-tailored and fitted suit, clean and perfectly ironed dress-shirt and tie.

* From this point on, you want to use your two or three-piece suit made all of the exact same fabric.

* If your suit makes wrinkles all over your body or in punctual places, it does not fit well; so change it.

* During daytime you could go for suits in lighter hues such as beige, camel and gray. Navy blue is also an option.

* During evening events, definitely wear dark suits: Dark blue or black.

* Do not use a tie and square pocket in the same fabric, color or print. You must connect those pieces through common colors, tones or hues.

* Go for dark dressing shoes (black is the go-for), perfectly clean and cared.

* Always match the color and tone of our shoes with your belt.

* For your hair, consider gel if it goes with your personal style; and of course, a great cologne.

3. BLACK TIE MEANS GENTLEMEN NEED A BLACK TUXEDO AND LADIES NEED AN ELEGANT DRESS AND FINE JEWERLY.

LADIES

* Wear an elegant short/medium dress, never ever too short. For daytime consider light or vibrant colors, like red.

* If it goes with your personal style, you could use men-inspired suits, but make sure to give your look feminine touches through your jewelry, shoes, makeup and hairstyle.

* Wear high heels without hesitation! If your physical condition allows, of course.

* Enjoy wearing a more dramatic makeup and hairstyle, but always keep it elegant.

* Use a petite evening bag or clutch, and a lovely perfume!

GENTLEMEN

* You should wear a TUXEDO (as it is called in America); also known as dinner jackets or ‘cravate noir’; in black elegant wool, single breasted, no vents with silk peaked lapels or shawl collar, and covered buttons. The pants of a tuxedo should have a single silk row that goes outside the leg matching the lapels.

* Your evening shirt must be white with studs, wing or turn-down collar, bow tie (hand tied), cufflinks and pocket square.

* You also need to wear a waistcoat (vest-like piece) or black cummerbund (looks like a wide belt). Waistcoats and cummerbund are never worn together.

* The shoes have to be in shiny, patent leather.

* The final touches, a wonderful cologne and hair gel if it goes with your personality.

 

4. WHITE TIE MEANS GENTLEMEN NEED A TAIL COAT AND LADIES NEED A LONG DRESS AND FINE JEWERLY.

LADIES

* Wear a full-length, elegant, well-fitting gown.

* Enjoy wearing beautiful and stand-out makeup and hair style, while always keeping them sophisticated, related to your personal style and to the elegant air of the event.

* Your accessories, meaning fine jewelry, will give the final touches to your look. But do not exaggerate; since it is not about being pretentious but about being beautiful and tasteful.

* Use high heels and a small evening bag or clutch.

* Do not forget to wear an exquisite perfume.

GENTLEMEN

* You must wear a black single-breasted tailcoat in black wool or very fine herringbone, with silk peaked lapels. This piece goes unbuttoned.

* Your black tailored and well-fitting trousers should have a two double-row in silk down the outside of each leg.

* You need a white piqué (marcella) shirt with a starched detachable wing collar and double cuffs. It will be closed with studs (white or decorative), not buttons, and cufflinks.

* This time you have to use a white piqué bow tie (hand-tied), and a white single or double-breasted waistcoat.

* Wear black patent lace-up shoes, or very polished ones with black laces and black silk socks.

And never forget, elegance lays in simplicity.

LIFE IS A RUNWAY!

Gaby