Last year I spoke with an event planner and she mentioned her surprise at how many calls and emails she received from women asking what to wear for a black tie optional invitation. This conversation sparked the inspiration to decode the dress code for the fanciest dress season of the year!
Here is a quick breakdown of the categories and dress code…
Informal & Cocktail: Short dresses
Semi Formal & After Five: Short dresses with shine or sequins
If the event is before 6pm, hold back on the sequins and wear minimal shine. Add glitzy accessory accents with jewelry or shoes.
If the event is after 6pm, sequins, shine and ultra fancy accessories are perfectly appropriate.
Black Tie Optional: You have the option to wear a short or long dress.
Formal, Black Tie or White Tie: Long and all-out glamour! You can choose a long dress or two-piece separates.
The best special occasion style choices are sensual fabrics or skin baring details to show your shoulders, décolletage or cleavage.
When choosing accessories, the more simple your dress, the more elaborate use of accessories. Let your dress become the canvas for accessories to show your personality and differentiate your style.
The more elaborate or ornate your dress design, let the details of your dress become your style statement and make fewer or more understated accessory choices.
For shoes, the more skin you bare with your dress, the more stappy and skin baring choice for your shoes…Enjoy!
