Sunday, November 18, 2012

Dress Question

What does it mean when something is "business casual / semi-formal." What do I wear to an event like this? I am imagining a skirt and top or dress pants with a sweater. Is that right? Why can't they just say what you are supposed to wear instead of giving you a definition that everyone needs to get defined? I would like to be appropriately dressed but not over or under dressed please!



4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is a weird dress code, since business casual and semi-formal are actually different. I guess this indicates that you could do either. I just looked up a similar question the other day and this is what the etiquette experts (Emily Post, Martha Stewart, etc) said...

Semi-formal is a cocktail dress or dressy skirt and top (you had mentioned a skirt and top, but I'm not sure if the ones that you were contemplating were "dressy").

Business casual is waaaaayyyy less fancy. Regular business is a suit, while business casual can include things as casual as khakis.

So it seems that anything fancier than jeans but less fancy than an evening gown will work. Definitely a wide spectrum.

Beth said...

I agree with the above post. A wide range that gives you tons of options. I tend to prefer to be a little more dressy just in case. It would also depend on the event. A wedding would indicate more dressy, a luncheon would be less dressy, in general.

Anonymous said...

semi-formal is cocktail dress or dress pants and blouse

Patty PB said...

Business casual I'm assuming is for the men: that means pants (that are not jeans; may be khakis), and a sports coat or long sleeved shirt. (No tie or suit required).
Semi-formal means roughly short dress or coktail attire. You CAN wear pants, but should wear a blouse. (If you plan to wear a sweater, I would wear a skirt instead of pants.)
Semi-Formal is usually one step down from Formal, which is a long dress/suit and tie event. Strictly Formal usually means black tie. Hope that helps!!
-P