Having to attend formal events can be stressful, especially if you’re not sure what to wear! However, with the right outfit, you can look great and still be comfortable in your clothes. Here are some tips on how to dress for a formal event so that you’ll always look your best while attending any event with ease!
What does it mean to dress formally?
If you’re dressed properly for an event, how would you know? The truth is, there’s no one definition of what it means to be dressed formally or appropriately. Some people equate dressing up with suits and ties. Others may associate long dresses and high heels with being formal or appropriate. Still, others use designer clothing or specific clothing items—like heels, for example—to signify formality.
What items should you never wear?
When it comes to business wear, there are certain items you should never be caught wearing in public. If you plan on looking professional at your next event, these items should stay in your closet—or they could get you banned from entering an important meeting. Here are a few fashion faux pas that can land you in hot water: Bad suits, bad ties, and bad shoes; While each of these items may be stylish on their own, together they look like someone (either you or someone else) is playing dress-up. Instead of overdoing it with accessories or opting for cheap quality clothing, stick with subtle pieces and make sure everything fits properly.
What items can you wear, but shouldn’t overdo it on those either?
Accessorizing is a great way to play up your look, but don’t overdo it. Pick one item or style of accessory and stick with it. For example, wearing giant hoop earrings can make you look like you are going clubbing instead of an award ceremony. Keep accessories simple so they don’t overpower your outfit. If you have accessorized in multiple areas then try to mix colors and textures. Try pairing pearl earrings with a shiny gold bracelet instead of just simple gold jewelry. Mixing metals will create a unique look that will help keep your ensemble from looking too matchy-matchy.
What are some tips for mixing up your outfits (different styles)?
If you want to get dressed in a style other than your own, you will be limited by what you have. In order to mix up your outfits, look through your closet and find items that do not match exactly with one another. Instead of going with basic shirts and pants, go with polo shirts and skinny jeans or corduroy pants and blazers. And don’t just throw those pieces together randomly. If they are different styles it helps if they also have different colors or designs. This way it won’t look like you threw random pieces together because they will at least be somewhat complementary in the color palette, even if they are completely different types of clothing items.
If you’re looking for accessories, jewelry, shoes, and handbags, where should you begin?
You can easily forget about what goes underneath your top half when you focus so much on what you should wear. When it comes to accessories, jewelry, shoes, and handbags for special occasions, think about things that will complement your look—not detract from it. If you’re wearing heels or wedges, pair them with an equally stylish clutch. Or go with statement earrings if you want people to notice your shoes and vice versa. Similarly, rings should always be worn in complementary tones; avoid stacking more than two at a time or letting multiple pieces clash with one another. One thing is certain: When it comes to eveningwear, less is more—and nothing says classy like restraint and subtlety.
Finally, what should you do at the last minute if you don’t have time to find something new or different?
Okay, so you got stuck in last-minute clothing hell. That’s okay; it happens. Instead of panicking, turn that panic into planning ahead: If your clothes don’t fit perfectly or look just right for an upcoming event, plan ahead. Try to time when you purchase your clothing with when you’ll wear it. By planning like that, if something goes wrong at some point before you have to wear said item, you can make sure not only do you have backup options, but also that those backup options will be in style by the time they get worn—no matter what size or color issue presents itself on game day.