Formal wear, formal apparel or evening dress is usually the classic Western wear code category, including for the most formal social events, like christenings, weddings, confirmations, formal dinners, balls, and outdoor events, as well as certain civic occasions, corporate gatherings, Easter egg Roll, grand openings, and other special events. These clothes may be white or black, skirt or pants, formal shoes or ballroom shoes, usually with a satin or silk bow around the cuffs. Fashionable Western wear can vary considerably depending on what particular event it is and who is attending. While many men do attend business meetings or board meetings occasionally formal wear is a must for women, whether at home, at church, or at work.
Western-style formal wear is available in many stores and fashion boutiques. This article provides a brief description of some of the most popular formal wear choices for all occasions. When attending social functions, daytime dresses, lunches, and dinner parties, ladies usually prefer to wear skirts, dresses, or twill tops, while men wear either pants or suits. Formal attire is appropriate for all occasions; however, it’s not necessary to wear the “formal wear” of your host’s choice in every situation. Instead, there are plenty of situations where western-style clothing can be worn, without being overly formal.
For example, while most wedding parties require formal attire, there are plenty of daytime weddings that can be casual and elegant, complete with cowboy boots, fancy shoes, and a stylish frock coat. And for Easter weddings, a beautiful sundress can be paired with a fun straw skirt and a chic frock coat, or even a trendy pair of jeans and a colorful party frock coat. Fashionable western wear is also a good choice for children and adults alike; for instance, it’s not uncommon to see a cute pair of kids’ jeans with a cute bow around the waist! Fashionable western wear is also appropriate for visiting relatives, visiting friends, going to the movies, shopping, meeting friends for lunch, etc., so feel free to let your imagination run wild with possibilities.