DRESS - THE BASICS
On one level the dress code for women is straightforward because it takes the lead from the men’s. The men’s dress code is fixed and constant and stated on the invitation. There are four dress codes- Lounge Suit, Black Tie (Dinner Jacket), Evening Dress (White Tie) or Morning Suit. These reflect the level of formality of the event and women’s dress follows that formality.
However, when one looks in detail about women’s dress within these categories, it is not always quite so obvious for women. There are fewer well-defined hard- and- fast rules. Instead there is a ‘general understanding’ about what is appropriate dress within these four codes, so you will sometimes have to use a bit of judgement in the code categories dependent on the nature of the event and the time of day, and especially ‘black tie’.
The guidance is summarised below:
However, when one looks in detail about women’s dress within these categories, it is not always quite so obvious for women. There are fewer well-defined hard- and- fast rules. Instead there is a ‘general understanding’ about what is appropriate dress within these four codes, so you will sometimes have to use a bit of judgement in the code categories dependent on the nature of the event and the time of day, and especially ‘black tie’.
The guidance is summarised below:
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Men
Lounge suit.
Fundamentally smart and applicable to a number of ‘business’ and day events such as: livery lunches; church services |
Details
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Women equivalent dress
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Notes for women
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Black Tie/ Dinner Jacket
Dress code of formal wear for evening events and social functions, traditionally worn only for events after 6 p.m. |
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There is wider scope in women’s dress for a ‘black tie’ event. There’s lots of opportunity for personal touches and dressing up a bit.
Some sources suggest it should always be ‘ long’ for a black tie. This is the default position for dinners. Some ‘black tie’ events are not formal dinners, and this is where you check or use your judgement about what to wear. |
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Evening dress (White Tie)
The most formal of all dress codes associated with prestigious livery dinners, royal affairs, state dinners and formal balls |
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Always wear ‘long’ at a Mansion House dinner and cover the shoulders i.e. the dress should have a bodice which extends to at least the beginning of the upper arm.
Trousers must NOT be worn. The top of the arms are generally covered so take a bolero/ shrug, scarf or stole to be on the safe side, if your dress does not have any sleeve. Wear your ‘poshest’ jewelry |
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Morning suit
Usually worn at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party or a Ward Club lunch at which the Lord Mayor is guest of honour |
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Daytime jewellery; pearls are often a good choice, and flattering.
Hats are usually worn |
A couple of things to note….
Military and national dress is acceptable at formal functions and most others.
As a woman, wear things that suit you. Do enjoy having your own personal style within these broad guidelines and feel free to wear colour and accessorise interestingly, and reflect the ‘fashions.’ When it comes down to it, whether your hem is mid- knee or below the knee is not a big deal, neither is wearing traditional pearls or modern jewellery, but wearing day trousers instead of a long dress at the Mansion House is.
Do be careful not to wear anything over-revealing especially as consort. Showing too much flesh is generally regarded as bad manners in The City so don’t wear strapless and avoid thin straps unless you cover your shoulders with a scarf, stole or have a bolero or shrug to wear, and let your guests know too.
Sometimes in your own Livery Company functions there is more flexibility about dress so that thin strapped dresses may be OK especially for the younger attendees, but if your aim is to fit in then avoid them or wear a cover up which can of course be floaty, see-through and elegant.
And most of all……….. dress to feel good and confident.
Main sources of Information :
Livery Committee (http://www.liverycompanies.info/fellowship-of-clerks/dinners/dress-codes.pdf,
‘Guide for Consorts’ by Sonya Zuckerman and Pauline Stewart,
http://www.liverycompanies.info/fellowship-of-clerks/masters--past-masters/consorts-guide-for-livery.pdf
and various guidance from Livery Companies.
Military and national dress is acceptable at formal functions and most others.
As a woman, wear things that suit you. Do enjoy having your own personal style within these broad guidelines and feel free to wear colour and accessorise interestingly, and reflect the ‘fashions.’ When it comes down to it, whether your hem is mid- knee or below the knee is not a big deal, neither is wearing traditional pearls or modern jewellery, but wearing day trousers instead of a long dress at the Mansion House is.
Do be careful not to wear anything over-revealing especially as consort. Showing too much flesh is generally regarded as bad manners in The City so don’t wear strapless and avoid thin straps unless you cover your shoulders with a scarf, stole or have a bolero or shrug to wear, and let your guests know too.
Sometimes in your own Livery Company functions there is more flexibility about dress so that thin strapped dresses may be OK especially for the younger attendees, but if your aim is to fit in then avoid them or wear a cover up which can of course be floaty, see-through and elegant.
And most of all……….. dress to feel good and confident.
Main sources of Information :
Livery Committee (http://www.liverycompanies.info/fellowship-of-clerks/dinners/dress-codes.pdf,
‘Guide for Consorts’ by Sonya Zuckerman and Pauline Stewart,
http://www.liverycompanies.info/fellowship-of-clerks/masters--past-masters/consorts-guide-for-livery.pdf
and various guidance from Livery Companies.
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