Happy Thursday! We wanted to bring you the best way to de - code a simple dress code! Below goes into breaking down Black Tie, Formal, Semi formal and many more!
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Dress codes can be a blessing and curse when choosing the perfect dress for your special event. Interpreting the dress code wrong can lead to some awkward situations - but we are here to help! Dress codes are very ambiguous in nature and sometimes their meaning can get lost in translation, which can be super confusing. Let us help you break down the lingo so that you don’t find yourself looking like the odd one out!
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Before we get into the thick of things, I have some handy tips to help you understand the dress code if it's not clear at first. Number one - check the venue! Every person who comes into West Coast Dress Hire is asked where their event is being held, as this gives us a really good idea of the atmosphere of the event. A quick google search will give you a great insight into what the hosts might be expecting their guests to wear. For example, a wedding held on a farm won’t have the same dress code as wedding at Lamont's Bishops House. Another tip is to make sure you look into whether or not the event will be held on grass or if its indoors, as this helps you choose your shoes more wisely. The last thing you want is to be walking in stiletto heels on a massive stretch of lawn!
Another tip is to check what time the event is being held. This has a much bigger impact on the way you should dress then you might think! For day time events, opt for something a bight brighter on the colour spectrum. Bright colours, frills, puffy sleeves and fun little embellishments are all totally acceptable for daytime events. For a night time event, darker more sultry tones are more appropriate. Something sleek and sophisticated is perfect - fun little bits and bobs can’t be appreciated as much in the dark, so save them for the day! Think the SIR Celia Frill versus the Rat & Boa Donyale. For weddings, also make sure you try and note what colour the bridesmaids are wearing. We can’t be having you mistaken as part of the bridal team! 
The most formal dress code that we commonly come across is ‘Black Tie’. This dress code is super popular for weddings, some birthday occasions, corporate balls, school or uni balls and awards nights. Black Tie can also be disguised as ‘Formal Attire’ or ‘Evening Wear’, so keep this in mind! To dress appropriately for a Black Tie event, a full length gown, a clutch and heels are a requirement! Glam up your look with statement earrings and bouncy Hollywood curls. More often then not, Black Tie events are held in the evening or at night. Venues you might attend a Black Tie event at could be the Crown, the Ritz Carlton, Sandlaford Winery or Cottesloe Civic. Some of our top picks for Black Tie events are the Rat & Boa Donyale, Arcina Ori Vivienne Set, Sonya Mood Nour Gown and the Natalie Rolt Rosalia Gown.
The next most formal dress code is a little less straight forward. ‘Semi-Formal’ is a mix of Black Tie and Cocktail. Yes, I know, very confusing. This dress code is common for weddings, birthday functions, corporate functions and can be held either day or night. Semi-formal can be a great dress code to fall back on if you have no idea what to wear, as its a happy medium that can work for lots of different events. For a Semi-Formal event, opt for a maxi or midi dress with a nice heel that isn’t too high and some cute accessories that aren’t too glamorous. Venues you might attend a semi-formal event can vary widely! Just about anywhere can be appropriate for a Semi-Formal event, which makes this dress code super versatile. Some of my favourite Semi-Formal dresses are the Arcina Ori Blair Set, the Bec & Bridge Agatha Cut Out and the AJE Wave Cut Out Maxi.
Next up is the ‘Cocktail’ dress code. This one is super fun and can be interpreted in a bunch of ways to reflect your personal style. You might be asked wear Cocktail attire to corporate functions, weddings, birthday events and drinks with friends. The Cocktail dress code opens up to mini dresses and dress pants but still includes midis and some maxis. Chuck on some statement earrings and fun heels and you’re set! You can really have fun with the Cocktail dress code - colour, balloon skirts and puff sleeves are all welcome to this party. Again, Cocktail dress codes can be worn to a number of different venues, but some you might find around Perth include The Shore House and Si Paradiso. May favourite Cocktail dresses at the moment have to be the Bec & Bridge Ambers, Acler Meredith mini, and the Manning Cartel Tuning Chains Midi.
This next one is perhaps the most controversial of them all - ‘Smart Casual’. Two contradictory words in the same phrase, very weird. Stress less, let me shed some light on the parameters of this confusing dress code. Aim for a look that is more relaxed then Cocktail, but still polished, professional and put together. One way to create a look that is more relaxed is to focus on the fabric of the garments. A linen for example, is more casual than a satin or silk. Another way is to opt for a nice flat, kitten heel or polished sneaker instead of heels. Minis and midis are appropriate and so are dress pants and even a nice pair of jeans! As long as you look put together you can get away with almost anything! I would make sure you check the venue with this one, to try and understand the vibe of the event first. Some of my favourite Smart Casual options at West Coast are the Bec & Bridge Cherry Mini, the Dion Lee Corset & Kiara Set!
This last one isn’t as popular, however, every now and then it’ll pop up out of nowhere, so its always best to be prepared! The ‘Festive’ dress code is the most fun of them all. If the host’s ask you to attend their event in Festive attire, they’re pretty much asking you to dress in your most fun and colourful outfit possible! Choose something that reflects your personality through colour and fun embellishments like sequins or puff sleeves. Some Festive options at West Coast Dress Hire that I’m loving at the moment are the AJE Saffron, The Bar Lou and the Shona Joy Faye Backless Mini! 
Now that you have the low down on all the different dress codes, come to West Coast Dress Hire and we can sort you out for anything that is thrown your way! We have a huge range of garments in sizes 4-14, that cater for anything and everything. Visit us at 19/181 Oxford St Leederville or hire online xx
Come back next week for a sneaky meeting the team!
Love always, WCDH xxx