Formal attire takes some definition these days because we are as a rule, more casual in dress code than we have been in the past. It can help when the formal attire is clearly defined as black tie or white tie. In the past, formal attire always meant white tie for men. Unless an invitation specifically states otherwise, formal attire usually means white or black tie wear. Formal attire can change based on the time of day you attend an event, so this is another important consideration.

When an invitation states white tie as formal attire, a man is expected to wear the following:

• Black tailcoat,
• Black Trousers
• Stiff fronted white shirt with a wing collar
• White bow tie
• White waistcoat
• Black patent leather shoes.

Black tie formal attire requires men to wear the following:

• The standard tux consisting of:
  • Black short coat
  • Black cummerbund or vest
  • Black bow tie
  • White dress shirt
  • Black pants
• Black dress shoes, usually patent leather

The most formal daytime events usually require a black frockcoat or morning coat, accompanied with standard elements of white tie. Sometimes, particularly at daytime weddings, the morning coat or frockcoat is colored. Light grey and white are occasional choices. Male guests may not be required to wear white tie even with the groom and groomsmen are wearing white tie morning dress. Most guests at a formal day event can wear black tie formal attire, though the morning coat is more traditional wear.

For women, formal attire can also have multiple definitions. When white tie formal attire is specified, women must wear full-length dresses. Tea length dresses are suitable only for little girls, though some women do wear them at white tie events. The appropriate accompaniment to white tie formal attire in female dress is the ball gown, and not the evening gown. The ball gown may be worn with petticoats or hoop skirts, and is usually made from silk, taffeta, or velvet.

This definition of white tie formal wear from women changes from time to time. An evening gown may instead be worn. Usually the distinction between evening gown and ball gown is made by examining the fullness of the skirt and the relatively modest top. Though the ballgown may be a décolleté style, or have a low neckline, the evening gown may show quite a bit more and have spaghetti straps or be strapless.

White tie formal wear for women also dictates the following:

• Dress shoes
• Suitable Jewelry (the best you own)
• Opera length white leather gloves if worn at all

Simple formal attire for black tie events means that you have a much larger choice of gowns. It is suitable to wear a cocktail dress, tea length dress or a full-length dress. Jewelry choice should be still the best you own, and shoes should be appropriate to the dress. When dancing is a part of the event, do consider formal wear that will allow for this. Don’t wear a skintight gown if you know you’re going to have to be moving.

Invitees or guests may not understand another important distinction in formal attire. Formal is really supposed to mean white tie, while semi-formal is meant to be black tie dress. Semi-formal generally does not mean suits and semi-dressy dresses, but instead, to wear attire appropriate for black tie events.