Decoding event dress codes

The festive season is finally here which means one thing: a calendar full of festivities! And along with it is chock full of seasonal sartorial conundrums and we'd want you to avoid that.

It is often challenging to decipher the dress code when it comes to events because the more inventive it is the more it can confuse people.

So here we've outlined a small guide to help you decode common dress codes.

From black tie to smart casual, you'll never be confused again.

Black Tie

A black-tie event simply means you have to dress fancy.

For ladies, be prepared to wear a long gown or a formal cocktail dress with either a simple or intricate details. Be sure to accessorize with beautiful, classy jewelry pieces.

For men, it means wearing a full tuxedo --with vest, cummerbund, and all that shebang. If you don't have one, make sure to go with a bow tie to match with your formal suit.

Formal

Long gown, pantsuits, and separates like skirts or dresses are a must for women. Formal wear also means you have more room to play but never, ever go for something short.

For boys, bring your blazers and make sure you have a pocket square to match.

Semi-formal

Shorter ensembles are welcome during semi-formal events. You can wear little black dresses and mix and match them with different combinations.

For men, it's always appropriate to wear your blazer that is mixed in with trousers or jeans.

Cocktail

Generally, for women, you can wear whimsical things and wear patterns together with heels. Bear in mind to find the balance of not being too formal and playful.

For men, pairing your jeans with a sports coat or blazer is a good combo.

Business Formal

Ladies think less cocktail and more conservative so opt for a suit, pants suit, or pencil skirts in muted colors. Loads of jewelry is not recommended.

For men, a suit is recommended as this is a business event and invest in good dress shoes.

Business Casual

Business casual meetings entail a more relaxed approach than business formal. So you can wear lighter colors and day wear mixed with a slightly conservative cut.

Men, you can choose a blazer matched with a button-down or a shirt with long-sleeves. This is also the perfect time to bring out your loafers.

Dressy casual

Girls, you can now play with your sundresses and shorts when an event calls for a more dressy casual outfit. You can even style it with trendy bags and accessories to amp up your style.

For guys, you can wear jeans and a short sleeve polo that aren't too casual.

Casual

For boys and girls, this is the perfect day to bring out your shorts, t-shirts, sleeveless tops, and flip flops as it will most likely be a day out with your friends who know you the most.

A good guideline is that when in doubt, go for classy and simple pieces that scream you're dressing to impress.

As Coco Chanel once said, “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”

To give you a proper way to mix and match your clothes, check these videos out: