What every dress code really means

White tie is the most formal Western dress code: a black tailcoat, white piqué waistcoat, wing-collar shirt and white bow tie for men, and a full-length ball gown, often with long gloves, for women.

Black tie is the formal evening dress code built around the tuxedo: a dinner jacket, black bow tie and polished shoes for men, and a floor-length gown or equally dressy evening wear for women. It suits events starting at 6 p.m. or later.

Black tie optional means the host welcomes formal evening wear but doesn't require it: men can wear a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie, and women a floor-length gown, formal midi dress or elegant evening separates.

Formal attire means evening-level dressing just below black tie: for women, a long gown, a dressy midi in a luxe fabric or refined evening separates; for men, a dark suit with a tie, or a tuxedo.

Creative black tie is black tie with room for personal style: formal evening wear stays the base, but colored or patterned dinner jackets, bold gowns, statement jumpsuits and playful accessories are welcome.

Cocktail attire means dressy but not floor-length: a knee-length to midi dress, a polished jumpsuit or elegant separates for women, and a tailored dark suit, usually with a tie, for men. It's dressier than business wear and a clear step below black tie.

Festive attire means dressing up with a celebratory twist: usually cocktail-level clothing plus seasonal touches like sequins, velvet, metallics, tartan or holiday colors. It's most common on invitations to December holiday parties and New Year's Eve.

Semi-formal attire is dressy clothing one notch below formal: for women, a dress that lands between the knee and mid-calf, dressy separates or a jumpsuit; for men, a suit, usually with a tie. Go lighter for daytime and darker for evening.

Country club attire is the neat, traditional dress private clubs expect: collared shirts, tailored trousers or shorts, modest skirts and dresses, and sport-specific clothes on the course and courts. Many clubs ban denim and T-shirts; rules vary by club and room.

Garden party attire is polished daytime dress for an outdoor event: breezy dresses, jumpsuits or tailored separates in light fabrics and fresh colors, and light suits or sport coats with open-collar shirts, finished with shoes that handle grass.

Beach formal means dressy clothes adapted for sand and heat: flowing maxi or midi dresses and elegant jumpsuits, or light linen and cotton suits with open-collar shirts, worn with flat sandals, wedges or loafers. Ties are optional and dark wool stays home.

Smart casual means relaxed clothes chosen and worn with polish: dark jeans or chinos with a crisp shirt, fine knit or blouse, an optional blazer, and clean leather shoes or minimal sneakers. It is dressier than casual and looser than business casual.

Dressy casual means casual clothes taken up a notch for a social event: a nice dress, jumpsuit or dressy separates for womenswear, and trousers or chinos with a button-up or fine knit for menswear. A jacket is optional, and a tie is rarely needed.