Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Is Formal Wear Equivalent To Office Wear

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.
Dress Code for White Tie Events
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.

Business Formals for Men
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.
Festive Formals-Jodhpuri and Sherwani for Men
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.