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Womens Occasionwear


THE ULTIMATE DRESS CODE GUIDE

The Ultimate Dress Code Guide will show you how to navigate the modern day’s event and occasion dress code rules with confidence and style. Whether you’re dressing for a relaxed summer garden party, a professional business meeting, an informal beach wedding, or a formal black-tie event, it’s important to understand what each dress code means when planning what to wear. This dress code guide outlines the key points to consider regarding the level of formality, and the most appropriate garments, silhouettes, fabrics and colour palette for today’s most popular types of events and occasions.

SHOP WOMEN’S OCCASIONWEAR SHOP MEN’S OCCASIONWEAR

Mens Black Tie.jpg
Womens_Black_Tie.jpg

BLACK TIE

Black Tie is one of the most formal dress codes required today, and the dress code that needs to be the most strictly adhered to. From formal dinners and events to charity galas and evening weddings, the utmost level of elegance and refinement is expected. For women that means floor-sweeping dresses and full hair and makeup, and for men, dinner jackets or tuxedos are expected. For both the fit needs to tailored and structured, darker colours and more luxurious fabrics are preferred, and the overall look needs to be rich, elegant and immaculate.



FOR WOMEN:

  • Floor length dresses or jumpsuits in satin, jersey, crepe or velvet in black, navy, metallic or jewel tones
  • Statement accessories and jewellery in metallic tones or complementary shades to the dress
  • Elegantly heeled shoes or sandals, from kitten heels to high stilettos in metallic or complementary shades

FOR MEN:

  • A classic tailored tuxedo or dinner jacket in black, midnight navy or jewel tones
  • A white cotton dress or dinner shirt with black bow tie and coordinating cufflinks
  • Polished black patent lace-up or dress shoes

What Not to Wear: Avoid any casual styles, ill-fitting tailoring or dresses, anything too worn or dishevelled and loud or clashing colours and prints.

Womens Cocktail.jpg
Mens Cocktail.jpg

COCKTAIL

Glamorous and sophisticated, Cocktail attire is usually worn for evening parties, receptions and more intimate after-dark soirées. Whilst still a formal dress code, it is more relaxed and playful, whilst still looking polished. For women hemlines can rise, silhouettes can be more sculptural and elevated tailoring and jumpsuits are perfectly acceptable. Men can be more expressive with their tailoring and what they wear underneath – a black merino roll neck under a velvet dinner jacket is a perfect style solution.



FOR WOMEN:

  • Midi or mini dresses, trouser suits, co-ord sets or jumpsuits in an after-dark palette of black, navy, chocolate or jewel tones
  • Opulent fabrics such as silk, satin, lace and velvet with beading, sequins or metallic accents
  • A statement clutch bag and jewellery with heeled strappy sandals or court shoes

FOR MEN:

  • A tailored suit or dinner jacket with trousers in darker colours and refined fabrics
  • A crisp shirt and tie that complements the tailoring, or a smart shirt or merino roll neck
  • Leather or patent loafers or dress shoes

What Not to Wear: The trick is to avoid dressing too casually – so no denim, sportswear or off-duty knitwear, or too formally in floor-length dresses or black-tie dinner suits.

Mens Smart Casual.jpg
Womens Smart Casual.jpg

SMART CASUAL

Smart Casual dress codes have in recent years moved on from dress-down Fridays to become the everyday style for many businesses and offices. Blending relaxed comfort with a polished finish is the key to nailing this dress code, so opt for a neutral palette and clean, modern lines as the basis.



FOR WOMEN:

FOR MEN:

  • Tailored trousers or chinos with a smart shirt or polo
  • An unstructured lightweight blazer
  • Leather or suede loafers or Chelsea boots, or smart and pristine trainers

What Not to Wear: Gym wear, distressed or very washed-out denim, flip flops, worn-out trainers or anything too casual. Equally formal suits or accessories and evening styles should be avoided.

Mens Business Casual.jpg
Womens Business Casual.jpg

BUSINESS CASUAL

Blending office-ready tailoring with more relaxed open-neck shirts or more relaxed tops, Business Casual is professional without being too formal. Structured pieces define the look with understated accessories and smart shoes for both men and women. Blazers, especially in subtle textures like linen and wool-blends, smarten up dark jeans and chinos. Women’s tailored wide-leg trousers with a chic blouse or top, and for men, a smart shirt with tailored-fit trousers in fine wool look sharp, professional but not too formal.



FOR WOMEN:

FOR MEN:

  • Tailored trousers in dark or neutral tones, or smart chinos
  • Oxford shirts with long sleeves in subtle or neutral colours
  • Polished leather Derby shoes, brogues or loafers offer versatility and look smart

What Not to Wear: Avoid T‑shirts, as well as polo shirts in bold patterns or colours. Also chunky knits, shorts and casual trainers that feel more sporty than sophisticated

Mens Resort Wear.jpg
Womens Resort Wear.jpg

RESORT WEAR

Whichever warm-weather destinations your travels take you to, the right Resort Wear is the key to looking sophisticated but relaxed on holiday. Designed for beach days, sightseeing and beyond, Resort Wear is your modern vacation wardrobe and is a dress code you can have fun with. Women’s kaftans and tunics with coordinating swimwear are perfect options, especially when detailed with artisanal elements like fringes or embroidery. Opt for colourful beach dresses and cover-ups that will take you from beach to bar and flowing maxi dresses for daytime strolls and sunset cocktails. Linen shirts and matching trousers in white or sun-bleached shades lend a riviera feel to menswear.



FOR WOMEN:

FOR MEN:

  • Linen or Cuban collar shirts are a go-to resort style, easily paired with swim shorts before and after a dip
  • Drawstring trousers or tailored shorts or in neutral or bright colours
  • Espadrilles or lightweight loafers in soft leather or suede
  • Tropical prints and elevated slogan T-shirts

What Not to Wear: Avoid heavy fabrics, dark or clashing colours and anything that feels restrictive or uncomfortable.

Mens Beach Formal.jpg
Womens Beach Formal.jpg

BEACH FORMAL

Perfect for beach settings in the heat with the elegance of evening wear Beach Formal blends the elegance of occasionwear with practical warm-weather style - for beach weddings, beach club lunches or dinners and any beachside events. Lightweight fabrics such as linen or cotton, and relaxed silhouettes are appropriate, but the overall look should still feel polished and event-ready.



What Not to Wear: Avoid any styles that are more beachwear than smart-casual, such as swimwear, flip-flops, printed T-shirts or cover-ups. Also overly casual styles and avoid dark, heavy, restrictive fabrics unsuitable for hot climates.

Womens Garden Party.jpg
Mens Garden Party.jpg

GARDEN PARTY

Elegant, chic and suited to daytime events and occasions, floral dresses or jumpsuits, soft tailoring, pastel hues and smart-casual separates are perfect for Garden Party dressing. For men, opt for relaxed linen shirts or blazers team with smart chinos or tailored shorts and suede loafers.



FOR WOMEN:

  • Midi-length dresses in pastel shades and floral prints
  • Block heel or wedge shoes offer height with practicality for lawns or gravel
  • Soft blazers or lightweight knit cardigans are easily slipped over dresses

FOR MEN:

  • Lightweight blazers in linen or unlined wool
  • Pastel or subtle print shirts or polos
  • Soft leather or suede loafers or box-fresh neutral trainers

What Not to Wear: Avoid overly formal styles, dark colours, anything too casual and shoes that aren’t grass or cobblestone-appropriate, like stilettos.

Mens Wedding Guest.jpg
Womens Wedding Guest.jpg

WEDDING GUEST

While the specific theme or destination will always set the tone, Wedding Guest attire should feel elegant, respectful and polished whatever the environment. Formal celebrations call for neat silhouettes, soft tailoring and subtle prints, while outdoor warm-weather celebrations are suited to flowing dresses and floral prints. Dark tones and sharper tailoring is required for black tie events, with colours and fabrics getting lighter for beach or garden weddings.



What Not to Wear: Never wear white unless specifically requested, and avoid anything casual, such as denim and sportswear. A key no-go is to wear any attention-grabbing styles that may compete with the bride and groom.

DRESS CODE SUMMARY

Dress Code Women Men
Black Tie Floor-length dresses, elegant accessories and heels Tuxedo, dinner shirt, bow tie, formal shoes
Cocktail Statement dresses and accessories Tailored suit, refined shirt
Smart Casual Relaxed tailoring, elevated basics Chinos, polo shirt, relaxed blazer
Business Casual Tailored separates and dresses Tailored suit or blazer with trousers and a smart shirt
Resort Wear Relaxed co-ords, linen dresses Linen resort shirts and shorts
Beach Formal Warm-weather occasionwear in lightweight fabrics Linen suits, cotton shirts
Garden Party Floral midi dresses or soft tailoring Lightweight tailoring, chinos
Wedding Guest Occasion dresses or jumpsuits, elegant accessories Tailored suits with smart shirts and accessories

Mastering modern dress codes means you can approach every invitation with the confidence that the perfect outfit brings. From formal black-tie events and galas to relaxed beach weddings and celebrations, each occasion calls for a different dress code and the appropriate attire.


Whether dressing for summer garden parties, destination weddings, evening events or formal business meetings, attention to detail and polished styling are key.


Building a wardrobe of versatile tailoring, dresses and accessories in premium fabrics and timeless designs will empower you with the right pieces for every event in your calendar.