Need to Interpret "Resort Formal?" on an Invite? Here's How, With Pics!
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White Tie
Get your man to the nearest rental shop because only a tux with tails, white vest and bow tie will do. As for yourself, still have your prom dress hanging around? Just kidding. But seriously, you better wear a dress that skims the ground and is one your father would approve of. White tie specifies "conservative gown" for women. Consider adding opera-length gloves for a touch of drama.
Elie Saab Image: IMAXtree
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Black Tie
Very dressy, but less so than white tie. For a man, it means a traditional tux. For a woman, it means you're allowed slightly more room when it comes to cut and color. Keep your dress long, but feel free to add in a bit of embellishment and/or print.
Donna Karan Image: IMAXtree
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Semi Formal/Informal
A guy can break out his favorite dark suit (no seersucker, please) and you can shorten the length of your dress. Keep it dressed up, and relatively conservative.
Oscar De La Renta Image: IMAXtree
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Cocktail
Men, dark suit. Girls, at this point you should ditch all thoughts of long dresses. It's okay to show a bit of cleavage (or leg) and sex it up a little. Also feel free to wear an upscale jumpsuit or pantsuit as well as dressy separates like a chiffon blouse and to-die-for pencil skirt.
Oscar De La Renta Image: IMAXtree
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Dressy Casual
Guys can start to ease up on the suits and go with a collared shirt, jacket and pants. For women, this is open to interpretation. What you might wear to church on Easter Sunday is dressy casual. But you can also wear what you would for "cocktail" with perhaps a lower heel, less makeup and/or jewelry.
Rachel Roy Image: IMAXtree
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Business Casual
Since this is usually stated for company functions and not parties, you should assume it's what you'd wear to the office. Conservative, but not so stuffy you can't spend the entire day in it. Same goes for guys.
Image: IMAXtree
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Casual
Do I recommend board shorts for your date? No. Absolutely remain stylish, but casual means specifically no gowns, no cocktail attire, no suits, no ties. Jeans and T-shirts, shorter skirts and dresses and a little slouch is okay. Given the onslaught of the midriff-baring tend, this also fits into "casual." Now on to the more interesting attire appointments you're likely to hear...
Band of Outsiders Image: IMAXtree
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Creative Black Tie
It's formal, but you have some wiggle room in terms of letting your personal style shine. Like sequins head-to-toe? Go for it? Is your guy fond of wearing a navy suit with a black collared shirt sans tie? Word.
Oscar De La Renta Image: IMAXtree
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Festive
You'll probably not see much of this during the summer months because it's usually connected with a specific holiday. But if you see "Festive" on a Fourth of July party invite, a touch of red, white and/or blue in your look won't hurt.
Fendi Image: IMAXtree
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Resort Formal
You're likely to see this at a destination wedding or some other shindig going down outside. It means, you know, dress up but skip heavy fabrics and dark colors. Your velvet cocktail dress is too much. Instead think floral chiffon and appropriate shoes for the terrain. For a beach setting that could mean metallic flat sandals and a pretty pedi.
Erdem Image: IMAXtree
