Fashion Expert Weighs In on Fake Dress Codes
Nonsensical dress codes on wedding and party invitations are confusing guests, causing stress and sometimes leaving them embarrassingly underdressed. Unlike Halloween, where the rules for what to wear are clear, these vague instructions create uncertainty.
Why Confusing Dress Codes Persist
Etiquette expert Myka Meier explained to the Daily Mail that these puzzling outfit requirements stem from hosts inventing their own dress code terms. Meier, who leads Beaumont Etiquette, a premier etiquette school, noted that officially recognized dress codes are limited to:
- White tie
- Black tie
- Formal
- Cocktail
- Semi-formal
- Business
- Business casual
- Casual
The Issue with "Dressy Casual"
Among these invented codes, the term "dressy casual" is especially problematic. Meier said:
“People tend to take it as 'polished separates, not jeans but not cocktail.'
The trouble arises when guests interpret these terms differently, which often results in a gathering marked by mismatched attire.
Summary
Unclear dress codes on invitations cause confusion because hosts create unofficial terms, leading to inconsistent guest attire and stress before events.