Weddings, those joyous celebrations of love and commitment, often come with a little dose of stress for guests: what to wear. The invitation usually offers some guidance in the form of a dress code, but deciphering these can sometimes feel like decoding ancient hieroglyphs. Fear not, as we embark on wedding season, we’re demystifying the enigmatic world of wedding guest dress codes.

What do the dress codes actually mean?

Wedding dress codes can range from casual to black tie, with variations in between. 

To be frank, there are really only three categories of formality for wedding dress codes: casual, semi-formal and formal. However, in today’s world, there is a lot of clutter surrounding these tiers that makes it difficult to decipher what to actually wear. In this blog, we’ve broken down the most commonly used dress codes on wedding invites and placed them within the core tiers of formality. We hope this helps relieve some uncertainty as you prep your looks for wedding season!

The invite says: Casual

While casual may give off the impression that it’s a free-for-all, it’s not. This level of formality still requires a polished look - albeit a more laid-back look compared to the rest of the dress codes. When the invite says casual, it’s the perfect opportunity to introduce colours, textures and bolder patterns to your look. With that, we would recommend some variation of the looks below:

What to wear:

• Chinos or dark jeans
• Patterned sport shirt with soft collar
• Sport jacket or bomber
• Loafers or trendy sneakers

The invite says: Semi-Formal (Otherwise called Cocktail Attire, and occasionally (although this juxtaposition is not a real thing) ‘Dressy Casual’

Semi-formal is probably the most common type of wedding dress code. Think sleek, sharp and a little fun. Depending on the location and similar to casual wear; you can play around with colours, textures and patterns (especially for summer weddings) - just be sure to keep it classy. A well-fitted suit is always a strong option.

What to wear:

• Dark sport jacket paired with dark pants
• A dark suit
• In a more casual location setting, you could opt for a suit done in a lighter colour
• White, patterned, or solid-colour dress shirt
• Patterned or solid-colour tie
• Black or dark brown shoes
• Pocket square

What if the invite doesn’t have a dress code?

If for whatever reason the invitation doesn’t include a dress code, consider the location. A beach or backyard wedding calls for different attire than a formal affair in a grand ballroom. When in doubt, we recommend asking the bride or groom about their guest dress expectations, but if that doesn’t get you anywhere either, a safe bet is opting for a semi-formal look.

Navigating wedding dress codes can be a daunting task, but armed with the knowledge of what each entails, you'll be ready to dress to impress at any celebration. Remember, the key is to strike the perfect balance between style and appropriateness while ensuring you feel confident and comfortable. So, go forth and RSVP with confidence, knowing you'll be dressed to the nines for the occasion.