There are days when we are in a fix as to what dress code to follow for a wedding especially when the invitation does not mention as to what type of a wedding event has been planned. When we are not sure whether to go prepared for a complete “black tie” event or a “semiformal” one, the dilemma to decipher the right clothes to wear and not end up with the wrong outfit as a wedding guest is quite tricky.

White-tie wedding guest dress code
One of the most common, yet most formal wedding dress code, is the white-tie event. In these events, the norms require women usually to wear only evening gowns and there are no exceptions on the length of the gown. To pair with this, women can choose jewelry, an elegant clutch on their arms, and definitely shoes with a comfortable heel length. Moreover, men usually have to wear a totally formal tuxedo with tails, a full white formal shirt paired with a white vest and a black or white bow tie, formal footwear in the likes of derby or oxford shoes, and also gray or white gloves neatly tucked under the shirt’s arm.

Black-tie wedding guest dress code
Generally, when the wedding is planned as an evening event, a black-tie event is picked as the formal dress code for the occasion. For black-tie events, women have a bit of option to choose from. They can either pick a formal full-length evening gown to dress up or they can wear a cocktail dress and pair it with heels or flats. Another choice for women is to wear pantsuits in formal colors. The men are, however, required to wear a tuxedo, and this has to be coupled with a black bow tie, a black vest or a cummerbund, and the shoes should preferably be black and patent leather ones. In some instances like summer weddings, even a white dinner jacket coupled with black tuxedo trousers are acceptable. In the case of a wedding where the black-tie wedding guest dress code is only optional, then wearing a tuxedo is not mandatory.