Decoding the Dress Code: Daytime or Evening Dress

Daytime dress and evening dress don't just inform you of what time of the day the party is, but they tell you how to dress.

What It Means: As if attire terms aren't confusing enough, "semi-formal" day event attire is actually different from "semi-formal" evening attire. A distinction exists for formal attire as well.

Ladies, Semi-formal: For a semi-formal daytime event, such as a wedding, a knee-length dress, dressy separates or a nice pantsuit are good picks. For a semi-formal evening event women should choose a nice cocktail dress. Pantsuits are too casual for night-time occasions.

Ladies, Formal: For a formal daytime event women can wear a nice short dress or a flowy long dress; even a dressy suit would be appropriate. However, only formal dresses should be worn to a formal evening event.

Gentlemen, Semi-formal: A suit of any color (light included) can be worn to a semi-formal daytime event. However, a semi-formal evening event requires a dark colored suit -- navy, dark grey or black.

Gentlemen, Formal: A dark suit with a tie would be appropriate. For an evening event, men should go dressier with a tux or a very formal, well-tailored black suit with nice silk black tie.

Expert Tip: You won't fool anybody by wearing a bowtie with your black suit.