Formal wear, formal attire, evening dress or evening gown is a broad classification of clothing, available for the more formal occasions, including weddings, christening, confirmations, holidays, parties, corporate gatherings, parades, Easter and Christmas parties, as well as some state dinner events, parades, and athletic events. When worn or carried on any given occasion for a lengthier period of time, formal wear gives the wearer an air of importance that he would otherwise not be able to accomplish with informal attire. In modern times, formal wear has also become an essential item of personal appearance. Wearing a formal outfit can give the impression of a person being refined, sophisticated, respectable, and highly respected. Wearing formal wear is also appropriate if one wants to project a message of authority, whether he is a teacher, doctor, business executive, or someone else who hopes to gain the respect of others.
Formal wear includes those outerwear items that are intended to be worn for specific formal occasions. These include pants suits, blazers, coat, jackets, and ties. Worn on various occasions, casual wear is usually for daily use and/or occasions that occur less often. Casual wear may also be for particular occasions only or for both everyday and special occasions.
Men’s formal wear is separated into three main categories: work clothing, sportswear, and evening wear. Work clothing, which includes trousers suits, office attire, collared shirts, dress shirts, suits, jackets, and blazers, can be worn on all occasions and are appropriate for all types of jobs. Sportswear is mostly used by athletes or people who participate in athletic events or in outdoor activities.