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those who wish to learn from it, or just read about it.
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The "Simon Rademan
" -guide to dress code
(eg. weddings, formal affairs)
Interesting alternatives to the norm of "dressing up" are: Chic, Just elegant,
Black-and-white, Sundowner, any original theme of choice,
specific colours, etc, but for this month’s free article we
asked Mr Rademan to clarify some of the confusion that exists
around “what to wear to functions”?
“I adore stylish dressing and ‘correct’ dressing and have dedicated
my life to beautifying stylish women", says Rademan.
"There IS a correct way,
(and this is not conformation of any kind). It is merely
respectful to dress according to an invitation’s dress code..."
If
you agree, read more. If
you do not agree with this:
read another article..
Etiquette suggests that: A social event’s, or a wedding's
invitations should always specify the dress code required,
eg.
Formal
Semi-formal
Informal
Smart casual
Casual
Formal
- This normally means 'Black Tie' (a pre tied boe-tie) for
men, and 'Full-length Gowns' for women in the evening. Some
weddings, such as Royal Weddings, might be 'White Tie' or 'Full
Formal' events which would require 'White Tie' attire for the
evening. Such formal occasions are very rare and should be
indicated on the invitation - and nothing should stop you from
organizing your own royal event!
We specialize in formal wear – contact us
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Formal
Semi-formal
Informal
Smart casual
Casual
Semi-Formal
- This means dark
suits (a hand tied tie) and 'Cocktail Dress' (short, ankle or
full length) are required in the evening. 'Semi-Formal' (as
opposed to 'Full-Formal') is also traditionally used to request
'Black Tie' and 'Evening Gowns' so this might be worth
clarifying.
We
specialize in this – contact us
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Formal
Semi-formal
Informal
Smart casual
Casual
Informal
- This also means
you should wear
dark suits (no tie necessary) and 'Cocktail Dress' (not full
length) in the evening. Only the wedding party wear formal
clothing before 5pm. For wedding guests it is normally
sufficient to wear 'Informal' wear during the day, which is
normally a dark suit for a man (or a lighter one in summer), and
a dress with/without a hat for a lady. (This is a service
that is reserved for our clients exclusively.)
Wedding attire
should be reasonably modest. Try not to upstage the
bride.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Formal
Semi-formal
Informal
Smart
casual
Casual
Smart
casual
-
We will
discuss
this in detail
in this month’s free article by Simon Rademan,
because this is mostly what guests in general think is acceptable. BUT …
even this is misconstrued for casual wear. Men Women
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Formal
Semi-formal
Informal
Smart casual
Casual
Casual
-
This is where you stay away from the public eye! Casual
clothing belongs to the "inner" circle, eg. with best friends,
or in the privacy of your own home, your bedroom, your lounge,
your garden, ...get the picture?
J
If none of the above works for you and you still want to be safe
(when dressing up)
… always? Then try:
Says who?
…Says Simon
During a
consultation, our aim is to show you the possibilities of
looking your best! Knowledge is power! We shamelessly
share information with you and enable you to experience the
splendour of looking your best at all times!
Contact
us
What
does "smart casual" really mean?
...for men ...for
women
Smart casual for him
Notes Hat
Coat Jacket
Top Bottom
Ankles
Footwear Accessories
Variants
Notes -
In General - Wear something smart, comfortable, and inoffensive.
Informal? Please note that there is a dress code known as 'Informal'
which, although it sounds casual, traditionally means 'Lounge Suit'
or 'Cocktail Dress'. If the invitation says 'Informal'
then this is normally worth clarrifying. As always, you
can always overdress.
Hat -
Hats are not normally worn
Coat - If weather requires.
Jacket -
Any Jacket
If desired. Avoid Denim.
Designer
Jacket
Top -
Shirt:
Collared. Generally the safest option.
Polo Shirt or Tennis Shirt:
Or
similar collared top.
Fashionable Top:
Avoid slogans and logos.
T-shirts should probably be avoided for most occasions as they do
not have a collar which is normally one of the defining features
of 'smart' dress, but can look smart, for example if worn with a
jacket.
Bottom
-
Designer Pants:
With or without matching jacket. Avoid wearing two different
patterns for the pants and jacket - plain goes with anything.
Fashion Jeans:
Not suitable for
all occasions.
If in doubt, avoid. Always wear very smart or fashionable ones, if
at all, and always in good condition.
Chinos: Not
@ all!
Ankles -
Dark Socks: Can't go wrong with black.
Footwear - Normally black or brown.
Accessories
-
Watch
If desired.
Rings
A wedding or engagement ring is always allowed. Neck
Chain If normally worn.
Earring
If normally worn.
Dress Code Variants -
"Spiffy" Casual
Spiffy Casual is derived from the term Spiffy, meaning “cool”,
neat, unique, or interesting and has it's (sometimes ironic)
origins in the archaic English exclamation 'Spiffing!'.
This suggests that one should dress up but keep it modern and
trendy. A designer suit with a black shirt with or without tie
or even something more creative such as mixing a T-Shirt with
the suit, or wearing a very fashionable or designer jacket are
all good. A lady might also want to consider a cocktail dress.
As always, consider the event your are going to and who else may
be attending.
Interesting alternatives to the norm are: Chic, Just elegant,
Black-and-white, Sundowner, any original theme of choice,
specific colours, etc, but this automatically takes us back to
where this article started, so …
...do
you want to rather read about the code for women? or. Do you want to leave it to
the professionals to decide?
Contact us to have your next
exclusive evening gown or wedding dress designed - We understand
dress codes!
Read another article Back to top
Back to homepage
Smart casual for her
Notes Hat
Coat Jacket
Top Bottom
Footwear
Accessories
Variants
Notes
-
In General
-
Wear something smart, comfortable, and inoffensive.
Informal? - Please note that there is a dress code known as 'Informal'
which, although it sounds casual, traditionally means 'Lounge Suit'
or 'Cocktail Dress'. If the invitation says'Informal' then this
is normally worth clarifying. As always, you can always
overdress.
Hat -
Hats are
not normally worn
Coat - If weather requires.
Jacket
- Any Jacket
If desired. Avoid Denim.
Designer
Jacket
Top
-
Knit-Shirt,
Jumper,
Fashionable Top -
Avoid slogans and logos.
Blouse,
Sweater - Avoid slogans and logos.
Cardigan,
T-Shirt - T-shirts should probably be avoided for most occasions as
they do not have a collar which is normally one of the defining
features of 'smart' dress, but can look smart, for example if
worn with a jacket.
Bottom -
Designer Pants - with or without matching
jacket. Avoid wearing two different patterns for the pants
and jacket - plain goes with anything.
Skirt,
Designer Skirt - With or without matching
jacket.
Avoid wearing two different patterns for the skirt and jacket -
plain goes with anything.
A dress - always welcome, Fashion Jeans
- Not suitable for all occasions. If in doubt, avoid.
Always wear very smart or fashionable ones, if at all, and always
in good condition.
Footwear -
Shoes,
Boots,
nice ones of course
J
Accessories -
Jewelry: Including watches. Whatever your
personal style requires. (Consider your personal security
though.)
Dress Code Variants -
"Spiffy" Casual
- Spiffy Casual is derived from the term Spiffy, meaning
“cool”, neat, unique, or interesting and has it's (sometimes
ironic) origins in the archaic English exclamation 'Spiffing!'.
This suggests that one should dress up but keep it modern and
trendy. A designer suit with a black shirt with or without tie
or even something more creative such as mixing a T-Shirt with
the suit, or wearing a very fashionable or designer jacket are
all good. A lady might also want to consider a cocktail dress.As
always, consider the event you are going to and who else may be
attending.
Interesting alternatives to the norm are: Chic, Just elegant,
Black-and-white, Sundowner, any original theme of choice,
specific colours, etc, but this automatically takes us back to
where this article started, so …
...do
you want to rather read about the code for men? or. Do you want to leave it to
the professionals to decide?
Contact us to have your next
exclusive evening gown or wedding dress designed.
- We understand dress
codes!
Read another article Back to top
Back to homepage
|