Decoding Dress Codes: What to Wear to Every Occasion!

From weddings to work events, figuring out what outfit will suit the dress code on the invitation can leave you staring at your wardrobe in frustration, texting your bestie that you have nothing to wear! Appropriate attire can vary depending on the occasion, time of year and even the location or the hosts, making getting dressed a confusing ordeal!

We’re breaking down our most popular styling requests in store so you can bypass the meltdown and skip straight to shopping for your next event with ease and confidence!

Black Tie Dress Code: The Epitome of Formal

Floor-length gowns for the ladies and tuxedos with bow-ties for the men are non-negotiable here! Relive your high-school formal, without the cringe and a whole lot more class, and champagne of course!

Black tie is as luxe as it gets: think elaborate detailing, shimmering fabrics and cuts you’d see on the red carpet. From formal weddings to charity dinners, this is your excuse to go all out glamorous from head to toe - look no further than Halston for your next gala event!

Select a gown from refined fabrics with flattering movement and drape that complements your curves to radiate grace - no one knows how to enhance the feminine figure quite like Roland Mouret. While the gentlemen may be prescribed a black bow-tie, ladies are not restricted when it comes to colour: make an entrance in timeless and regal jewel tones, chic metallics and deep colours.

If you’re heading to the Hinterlands or wineries to watch a loved one tie the knot, the seasons will inevitably dictate what you wear! 

Accessorising is the finishing touch to your look: Choose a sleek clutch, dazzling statement jewellery and perhaps even an Yves Salomon fur jacket to accentuate your dress with the perfect balance of grace and glamour!

Cocktail Dress Code: Your Silly Season Uniform

Rising to popularity in the twenties, Cocktail has maintained its razzle dazzle touch to this day. Designed for events between day and night, it bridges the gap between elevated daywear and formal black tie, and Galvan provides elegant options, with a touch of fun, for every woman.

A popular dress code for semi-formal events, from weddings to long lunches, sleek and sophisticated is still the name of the game. There’s no need to wear a ballgown, but short mini skirts shouldn’t be your first choice either. When in doubt, ALC is our go-to for dresses of every length, as well as tailored pants or jumpsuits!

Accessorising is the finishing touch to your look

Cocktail attire also gives you permission to wear statement making pieces to your next party. Retrofete never fails to deliver the funky sequins, but we’re also fans of big bows, bright colours and daring cutouts!

During the day, dressy flats or kitten heels do the trick, and as always, sky-high stilettos are a surefire eye catcher. Our style suggestion: don’t wear everything at once - choose one loud piece and build the rest of your outfit around it!

Lounge Dress Code: A Relaxed Take on Formal

Lounge is the least self-explanatory of all dress codes for the ladies spoiler alert: it’s got nothing to do with your travel sets and track suits). For men, it’s straightforward: a two- or three piece suit, generally designed to be worn with a dress shirt and tie, or a turtleneck or knitted polo shirt for a more relaxed look.

Designed for business or social semi-formal events, you’ll see it pop up on invitations from work lunches to christenings and weddings to funerals. Think polished and sophisticated, with hems no higher than below the knee and mid-height heels.

Opt for plain-coloured garments, leave the bold prints and patterns at home and if in doubt, tie your look together with a blazer from our Italian favourite, Blaze Milano. A failsafe option? A restrained black dress and minimalistic heels, done to perfection this season by Ulla Johnson.

Smart Casual Dress Code: Workwear, with an Elevated Touch

Smart casual is as broad as it is easy and fun to style! It’s ambiguous, applying to business breakfasts as well as dinner and drinks, and with a few fundamentals, you’ll be creating perfect combinations

Pairing formal silhouettes with relaxed materials is the starting point to create a look that will take you from day to night looking effortlessly chic. Think high-quality materials such as silk, cotton or linen, balancing flowing cuts with structured pieces, a Lardini suit with a L’Agence cami, for example. You guessed it - a blazer is a foolproof option here too - worn over your shoulders, cinched at the waist with a belt, or with rolled up sleeves to relax your look!

Jewellery can help adapt your smart casual look to take you from day to night: swap a dainty gold chain for bold earrings to head from an office function to a night at the theatre!

If you’re wondering whether jeans are an appropriate choice, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Opt for a flattering cut and dark wash, worn with elegant heels to look dressed up, without looking over the top!

Beach Wedding Dress Code

Break Out Your Fancy Outfits

This is your opportunity to let your flowing, Costarellos dresses billow in the sea breeze! Of course, you’ll have to bear in mind terrain and climate, but as a rule of thumb, ensure your outfit reflects the special occasion. If in doubt, err on the side of elevated and choose appropriate footwear such as wedges or block heels!

Fabric will be the key element of your attire, especially under the beating sun or inside air-conditioned venues. So you can comfortably celebrate all day, choose natural fibres and cuts that have enough substance to withstand aforementioned breeze - some things are best left to the imagination!

Maxi and midi dresses tend to be the obvious choice for the ladies, with the men in button-downs and chinos paired with a jacket or blazer for formal ceremonies. Elegant separates or lightweight Oud silk jumpsuits work wonderfully too!

Outdoor celebrations are the perfect excuse to spice up your look with sunglasses or a statement hat, and of course, jewellery adds the finishing touch!

Country Wedding Dress Code

Layer Up in Style

If you’re heading to the Hinterlands or wineries to watch a loved one tie the knot, the seasons will inevitably dictate what you wear! Though you may need to fight the chill when night falls, country certainly does not mean rustic, so make sure you check the invite when deciding on your outfit!

Whether you choose to wear a Rixo number with loose-fitting sleeves or a strapless dress paired with a Jane Carr shawl, layers are your best friend to go from ceremony to send-off without sweating or shivering!

If there is a slight chance you’ll be trudging through uneven muddy grass, you might choose a hemline that ends above the ankle: perfect to show off your shoes and avoid unfortunate missteps!

I’m Not A Dress Girl.

Here’s What To Wear!

Don’t be fooled by the ‘dress’ in ‘dress code’! Who said you need to forfeit your favourite pants when you head to your next event? In fact, a jumpsuit or matching set from The Sei are about as elegant as it gets!

As always, luxurious fabrics are the key to looking classy no matter where you are headed! Silk separates are the perfect choice for a wedding, and a tailored one piece or power suit by Lardini will have you turning heads at your next work event!

Before you panic at the thought of all these criteria, remember that dress codes should act as guides rather than restrictive rules! Experimenting and having a bit of fun is essential, and after all, pushing the boundaries a little never hurt anyone!

If you still feel unsure next time you receive an invitation, stop by our Brisbane store for a personal styling session - we’ll have you confident and glammed up in time for your next celebration!