Festive Attire, Part Two

Posted Nov 18, 2006 by Sandy Hughes

Updated Nov 18, 2006 at 01:58 PM

So how do you decipher invitation dress codes? 

Most of us know the rules for black-tie, formal, and semi-formal attire. 

For women, a clearly defined dressy occasion is pretty easy, and choices abound.

It’s when the invitation says “casual” “festive”, or nothing at all that we run into issues.  After all, the term “casual” can mean different things to different people.  There’s city casual, snappy casual, dressy casual, relaxed casual, business casual , resort casual, country club casual,  sloppy casual, and probably more.

We love Mr. Andy’s “Casual Categories Chart” in this detailed, precise breakdown—although he focuses on men’s attire, his definitions are helpful.

Here in Tampa there are generally four categories of casual:  Business Casual, City/Nightclub Casual, Snappy/Country Club Casual, and Sporty/Sloppy Casual.

Business Casual, or the “Bree Vandekamp” look:

No matter what you do, you’ll probably need to dress Business Casual at some point in your life, because it’s the go-to look for anything that has a serious side to it.  Political fundraisers, church functions, meetings with your estate attorney (or probation officer, depending on your situation), all require more conservative attire.
Business Casual is the same here as pretty much anywhere:  While much depends on your industry, corporate types can’t go wrong with nice pants or a in wool or twill, a sweater or knit top, and close-toed mules or flats.  A skirt and boots works well, too.  (Brooks Brothers is a great place to start for conservative looks.)
In more creative industries, dress jeans and trendier tops or jackets can be worn, as long as nothing looks too “hootchie”, (which is never a good idea in any business if you want to be taken seriously). 

City/Nightclub casual, or the “Gabriella Solis” look:

City/Nightclub casual is where you can go sexier.  If you’re invited to an adult party either held at a restaurant or nightclub, or in someone’s home (a good indication of this kind of party is that it often starts late—8 or 9:00 at the earliest), or if you know the guests are mostly young and trendy, anything goes.  Dressy jeans, sexy tops, little skirts, strappy sandals are all great.  If you’re older or more conservative, some well-cut pants paired with a bare top—a halter, or strapless—with a shawl or cardigan would be perfect.  The only no-no’s would be anything too “Mommy” or “Granola-Cruncher” looking.  Boring is bad!

Snappy/Country Club Casual, or the “Lynette Scavo” look

At Vanderbilt University, and we’re sure many other colleges, one of the sorority-rush dress codes is defined as “snappy casual”, which we had never heard before but learned means “expensive”.  It goes by lots of other names—casual chic, dressy casual, resort casual, upscale casual—and it will vary with locale and season. 
And for most of us in Tampa, especially anyone over 30, this is going to be your most common category for dinners, showers, club events, and cocktail parties.  If the invitation doesn’t say what to wear, this is probably what it means. 
We find that most women will keep it low-key by having one focal point, whether it’s the “cute” skirt, the detailed blouse, a great piece of jewelry, or gorgeous shoes (that they somehow found for 80% off at DSW, something we never seem to be able to do).  Everyone loves their “statement” skirts, but we’re starting to see a lot more day dresses, too, especially with the younger, “pre-school Mommy” set, paired with flats or wedges.
Boutiques like Deborah Kent’s, Kate McKenzie, and The Pink Palm are great Snappy Casual sources, as are Anthropologie (the favorite for those skirts)  and BCBG in Hyde Park. 

Sporty/Sloppy Casual, or the “Susan Mayer” look

This is the relaxed, backyard barbeque, football tailgate, jeans-and-loafers casual that we all know.  It’s basically weekend and vacation wear, and the priority is comfort and/or suitability to the party’s central activity.  (Jorts, anyone?) Clues in the invitation that the party’s super-casual:  It’s in the daytime, it’s outdoors, children are invited, and you’re encouraged to bring a lawn chair or beach blanket.  For casual clothes in bright holiday colors, check out Old Navy, Gap, and JCrew.

And if you’re still not sure what to wear to your event, your Friendly Retailers can help:  Just log on to the websites for Neiman Marcus, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor for their suggestions for different occasions. 

With all this help, you can’t go wrong!