Snaza
The Snaza Journal

Dress codes and occasions

What business casual, cocktail attire and black tie actually ask of you, and what to wear to weddings, interviews, funerals and graduations.

32 guides, page 1 of 2

A young woman in a black slip dress and a young man in a dark suit share drinks on a rooftop at sunset

Dress codes form a ladder: casual, smart casual, business casual, dressy casual, cocktail or semi formal, black tie optional, black tie and white tie. Knowing where an invitation sits on that ladder answers most of the question before you open the closet.

Each guide explains one code for men and women, with outfits that work, what to avoid and how time of day, venue and season change the answer. Occasion guides cover weddings, interviews, funerals, graduations and more.

Guides

  1. A stone linen jacket and coral dress are arranged with sandals and loafers on a softly lit beach.

    Dress codes

    Beach wedding attire: what guests should wear

    Beach wedding attire for guests: light fabrics, shoes that work on sand, and how to read the dress code, with outfits for men and women from casual to beach formal.

  2. A black tuxedo jacket and deep green silk gown hang above a small table holding a pocket square and bow tie

    Dress codes

    Black tie attire: what to wear, for men and women

    Black tie attire explained: the tuxedo in detail, the shirt, bow tie and shoes, plus gowns and elegant alternatives for women and black tie weddings.

  3. A charcoal suit and a black tuxedo are arranged side by side on pale linen with black oxford shoes

    Dress codes

    Black tie optional: what it means and what to wear

    What black tie optional means for men and women: tuxedo or dark suit, gown or elegant cocktail dress, plus how to choose, dress for the season and avoid mistakes.

  4. A navy sport coat blue shirt khaki chinos brown belt and suede loafers are laid out on linen

    Dress codes

    Business casual for men: what to wear to work

    What business casual means for men at work, with outfit formulas, the right shoes, when jeans are allowed and how to read your own office's version of the code.

  5. An ivory blouse camel blazer and navy trousers rest on a pale chair with brown loafers below

    Dress codes

    Business casual for women: what to wear to work

    What business casual means for women at work: trousers, skirts, dresses, knitwear and shoes, with outfit formulas, what to avoid and how to read your office.

  6. A young woman and man stand in tailored dark suits in a sunlit marble office lobby

    Dress codes

    Business professional attire for men and women

    Business professional attire means a matched suit or its equivalent. What to wear for men and women, how it differs from business casual, and what to avoid.

  7. Two stylish young wedding guests laugh together at a golden hour garden reception.

    Dress codes

    Casual wedding attire for guests

    Casual on a wedding invitation still means dressed for a wedding. What men and women can wear, how venue and season change it, and where jeans fit in.

  8. A navy suit with burgundy tie hangs on a warm off white wall above polished black oxford shoes

    Dress codes

    Cocktail attire for men: what to wear

    What cocktail attire means for men: the dark suit, when a tie is optional, how time, season and venue change it, and what to wear to a cocktail attire wedding.

  9. A deep green silk midi dress hangs above a satin clutch and low block heel sandals

    Dress codes

    Cocktail attire for women: what to wear

    What cocktail attire means for women: dress lengths, fabrics, jumpsuits and tailored sets, shoes and bags, and how the invitation, venue and season change it.

  10. A tan blazer and blue shirt sit beside a floral dress with loafers and sandals on a terrace table

    Dress codes

    Dressy casual: what it means for men and women

    What dressy casual means on an invitation, with outfits for men and women, whether jeans count, and how a dressy casual wedding differs from a party or dinner.

  11. A green floral midi dress and pale linen jacket hang from a tree above a chair with a straw hat

    Dress codes

    Garden party attire: what to wear outdoors

    What garden party attire means for men and women: light day dresses and suits, shoes that work on grass, sun and heat, hats, and how garden formal differs.

  12. Navy polo, stone trousers, brown belt, white cap and golf shoes rest on a wooden bench beside a green course

    Dress codes

    Golf attire: what to wear on the course

    What golf attire means on most courses: collared shirts, tailored shorts or pants, skorts and golf shoes, plus what beginners can wear and what to leave at home.

  13. A gray suit and muted rose dress hang together on a simple garment rail in warm window light.

    Dress codes

    Semi formal attire for men and women

    What semi formal attire means for men and women, how daytime and evening change it, and what to wear to a semi formal wedding, party or dance, with outfit ideas.

  14. Two complete smart casual outfits are arranged side by side on a pale oak floor.

    Dress codes

    Smart casual: what it means for men and women

    What smart casual really means, how it differs from business casual, and what men and women can wear, including when jeans, sneakers and a blazer are right.

  15. A navy jacket and tie sit beside a blank invitation, sage dress, and nude heels on pale linen

    Dress codes

    Wedding guest attire: every dress code decoded

    Wedding guest attire explained from black tie to casual, with what men and women can wear for each dress code, plus color, venue and religious considerations.

  16. A folded business casual outfit with loafers and a canvas book tote rests on a wooden bench.

    Dress codes

    What to wear for jury duty

    What to wear for jury duty: what courts expect, whether jeans and sneakers are fine, outfits for men and women, layers for cold courtrooms and what to leave home.

  17. A couple in relaxed evening clothes watches a pale gold sunset from a ship deck.

    Dress codes

    What to wear on a cruise, day and night

    What to wear on a cruise for sea days, shore excursions, dinner and formal nights, with dining room rules, layers for cool evenings and how much to pack.

  18. A stylish young couple share a warm laugh over coffee and pastry at a small cafe table by the window.

    Dress codes

    What to wear on a first date

    Dress one step above the setting, in clothes you already feel like yourself in. First date outfits for coffee, drinks, dinner and more, for men and women.

  19. A formally dressed family walks up stone steps toward a quiet entrance on an autumn morning.

    Dress codes

    What to wear to a bar or bat mitzvah

    What to wear to a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah as a guest: modest dress for the synagogue service, what changes at the party, and outfits for women, men and teens.

  20. A floral midi dress hangs above tan sandals beside a straw bag and wrapped gift

    Dress codes

    What to wear to a bridal shower

    What to wear to a bridal shower as a guest: how to read the venue and time of day, outfit ideas by season, whether jeans are fine, and why to skip white.

  21. Two young friends dance in casual black tops and loose bottoms outside a concert venue at dusk

    Dress codes

    What to wear to a concert

    Concerts have no dress code, but hours standing, crowd heat and bag rules do. What to wear to a stadium, club, lawn or symphony concert, for any age.

  22. A navy sweater layered over flannel sits with jeans boots a beanie and clear bag on a wooden bench

    Dress codes

    What to wear to a football game, in any weather

    What to wear to a football game, from a hot September tailgate to a freezing night in December: layers, shoes, team colors without a jersey, and the clear bag rule.

  23. A navy wool jacket and charcoal dress hang above a chair draped with a folded dark scarf.

    Dress codes

    What to wear to a funeral

    What to wear to a funeral or memorial for men and women: dark, simple and respectful clothing, family wishes, cultural customs, summer heat and what to avoid.

  24. Two gala guests in an emerald satin gown and a midnight tuxedo stand atop museum steps at blue hour.

    Dress codes

    What to wear to a gala

    Most galas are black tie or black tie optional. How to read the invitation, what women and men wear, whether a suit or trousers work, and what to avoid.