"What is "semi-formal"?"

Asked by Tecrat 30 months ago

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my wife and I have a function to go to for work and its "semi-formal". We're both wondering what we should wear.


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"Coat and tie for the man"
 by edfoug on Aug 23 2007 (30 months ago)
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Nice dress for the woman these days! It used to mean black-tie tux instead of white tie and tails for men and evening gowns for women. Times change. O tempores! O mores!
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"A suit for you, a cocktail dress for her"
 by PamPerdue on Aug 24 2007 (30 months ago)
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At one point "formal" meant white-tie and ball gown, and "semi-formal" meant black tie and evening gown.  But these days most people use "formal" for black-tie and evening gown because true formal events are extremely rare.

So semi-formal is kicked down a notch, too: a suit and tie for you, and a cocktail dress for her.  That's a suit, not a jacket and tie, though I bet you wouldn't be the only one wearing a sportcoat if it's all you've got.  And a dark suit: black, charcoal, or maybe dark navy.

Her dress should be knee length (or maybe just a tiny bit shorter, if she wants to be daring) or almost ankle length, but not full ball-gown length.  It can be fairly tight-fitting and show some skin, if she likes.  And the color can be catchy; red is perfectly fine if she can pull it off.  If she hasn't got that, nice business wear or her nicest blouse-and-skirt will do.

For a work function, they almost certainly mean the more casual definition of semi-formal.  Unless you work in an embassy, where they still really do throw formal events on occasion.
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"Semi-formal events are like going to a cocktail party."
 by gb_one on Aug 23 2007 (30 months ago)
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An evening event suggests wearing a dark suit for him and a cocktail dress for her. 

If it is for business and not just an event that the office is having: again the suit for him and a dressy suit or an appropriate little black dress for her.

A daytime event means the same as a business event.

Most of all, enjoy getting dressed up!
Sources: experience

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