Formal wear for men or women is a very generic term for clothing that is appropriate for formal events like wedding, dinner, dance or race.For understanding whether formal wear is equal to office wear or not we need to probe deeper into the many types of formal wear
White Tie Events:
The
most formal dress code is worn on a white tie event. It is reserved for
ultra formal events like award ceremonies and political dinners.
Dress Code For Women:
Floor length ball gowns or evening gowns are the general acceptable dress code for women.
Dress Code For Men:
A
tailcoat; formal trousers; white piqué bow tie; white piqué vest
(waistcoat); white piqué front or plain stiff-fronted shirt with a
detachable wing collar; cuff links and shirt studs; black patent leather
court shoe; accessories.
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Dress Code for White Tie Events |
Black Tie Events:
Black
Tie events are less formal than white tie events. But they are still
formal enough to demand a proper formal dressing. Such events usually
include evening gatherings and functions.
Dress Code For Women:
A woman can opt for knee length dress or a little black dress though evening gowns are also preferred.
Dress Code For Men:
Men
still have to wear a tuxedo but the rules regarding shirts and bow ties
are not that stringent. Hence the shirt can be black instead of white
and the bow tie can be colored or printed depending on personal choice
of the person.
Business Formal:
Dress Code For Women:
Dress pants with
formal shirt and formal shoes. In South Asian region even sarees and salwar kameez or churidar are considered appropriate for office.
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Business Formals for Men |
Tuxedoes
and suits are not really comfortable for workplace wear on a daily
basis except for the personnel in the upper echelon of the corporate
sector. The CEO, CFO and the MD of the companies might prefer to be in
suits and blazers. But for a normal office goer, wearing it may not
really be feasible or comfortable enough. Normal workplace attire
includes a formal shirt in plain or checks and matching pants. A tie is
not compulsory at some places but it’s better to wear one when there are
meetings or presentations planned since they enhance the professional
look of the wearer.
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Festive Formals-Jodhpuri and Sherwani for Men |
Festive Formals:
Another whole section of formal wear is one that is designed to be worn on occasions and is widely known as
festive formals.
The festive formals include traditional wear and are happily flaunted in times of festivities.
Dress Code For Women:
Festive formals include sarees, ghagra cholis, and churidar kurtas with heavy embroidery work.
Dress Code For Men:
Festive
formals for men include Sherwani and Jodhpuri Suits that render a royal
appeal to the whole fun and frolic going in the festivities.
Looking
at the general explanation corresponding to formal attire of different
types, it must be obvious to you that formal wear is not just
restricted to office wear, workplace wear or corporate wear. It includes
many other types of dressing and office wear is just a part of the
whole formal wear range of clothing. Hence we can safely conclude that
formal wear is not equivalent to office wear and it is a much more
comprehensive term which includes ultra formal wear like white tie or
black tie and also festive formals.