Tips for Dressing in Semi Formal Attire

If you've received an invitation with the words "semi-formal attire" or "semi-formal attire requested," there's a pretty good chance that you have no idea what those words mean. Lucky for you, you can follow these tips and avoid making any major fashion faux pas.

DO: Think about the what, when and where of the event

Is this event taking place in the daytime or in the evening? Is it a wedding or a friend's birthday party? Is it inside or outside? These are all important things to consider when deciding what to wear to your semi-formal event. The definition of semi-formal attire is somewhat flexible, especially for women, so thinking about all of these criteria helps you make sure to match the other guests at the party.

DO: Ask the host if you're not sure

When it doubt, it is never incorrect to ask the host for clarification on the dress code. This is especially true for an event like a wedding, where there might be a religious ceremony and female guests could be required to cover their arms or shoulders.

DON'T: Wear a floor-length gown

Semi-formal for women typically means cocktail attire, though that term is also open to broad interpretation. However, wearing a floor-length dress is definitely too formal, so avoid anything that would be acceptable to wear to a black tie event.

DON'T: Be too flashy

Whenever you're a guest at someone else's event, you should avoid showing up the host and hostess. Avoid sky-high hemlines and plunging necklines, as those are more suited to a nightclub than a classy semiformal event.

Semi-formal attire is a very broad dress code, as it simply means attire that is less formal than black tie but more formal than informal attire. However, if you follow these simple tips, you can be the best dressed (but not overdressed) guest at your semi-formal event.


source:http://fashion.answers.com/