What Does Semi Casual Mean

Even when consulting one of the most trusted and traditional sources of etiquette emily post the rules seemed quite lax. Semi casual is a dress code in the american context. Below we break down semi formal wedding attire for women and men in full.
what does semi casual mean what does semi casual mean for a wedding

If the invite says semi formal or dressy casual depending on the time of the event youll want to dress somewhere between formal and casual.

What does semi casual mean. Semi casual warm weather. The semi can throw some people offwe get itbut heres what it essentially means. Your wedding invitation says semi formalnow what exactly does that mean. Semi casual dress tends to lie a step above casual and a step below smart or business casual on a dress code scale.

Semi casual cold weather. Wear darker more formal hues for an evening fete. According to bellaonline etiquette editor lisa plancich semi casual attire means feeling relaxed and comfortable without looking like someone who forgot to change out of her pajamas. A semi formal dress code is expected for moderately formal events such as weddings award ceremonies bar and bat mitzvahs and a night at the theater.

Semi formal dress is less formal than black tie dress but more formal than cocktail attire. Nice clean jeans a collared short sleeve shirt and a pair of comfortable shoes or sandals. Keep in mind that semi formal still has the word formal in the description. Loafers or cap toe shoes.

Semi casual dress may include. It is less presentational than informal but not as loose as full casual dress. I encourage you to avoid jeans even nice well pressed jeans and athletic shoes of any kind. Imagine a photo of the 1950s.

In short the events formality falls somewhere in the mid to more casual range of the dress code spectrumits not as fancy as a black tie wedding but its not the kind of soiree where anything goes either. Semi casual implies nice casual wear so think of sundresses and pearls or khakis and blazers. You need to be polished so not too casual and best of all you have wiggle room. Khakis a collared shirt untucked a cardigan and a pair of warm but functional clean hiking boots such as timberlands.

Opt for light colors and fabrics for a daytime wedding. Avoid the embarrassment of arriving at a semi formal event too dressed up or too casual.