Semi-Formal Attire Guide: How to Choose a Semi-Formal Outfit

Semi-formal attire is a category of dress code often required at semi-formal occasions such as holiday parties, weddings, and at some dining establishments. Semi-formal attire is similar to business casual and slightly less formal than cocktail attire. Outfit options include button-down shirts, dress pants, and dress shoes, and jumpsuits, tea dresses, and knee-length dresses. Your semi-formal outfit’s color palette depends on the time of day—wear light colors for daytime events and darker colors for evenings.

A wedding invitation will dictate the wedding dress code. Semi-formal wedding attire, sometimes referred to as dressy casual, is popular for wedding guest attire for daytime weddings and evening weddings. Semi-formal is more elevated than casual wedding attire. When in doubt, it’s always better to overdress than underdress. A semi-formal dress code is especially common for summer weddings and beach weddings when warmer temperatures call for more comfortable attire, i.e., knee-length dresses or sundresses. (If you wear a dress, you may want to inquire ahead of time about the color of the bridesmaid dresses so you are not mistaken for a member of the wedding party.)

For a semi-formal event, you can leave your tuxedo and cummerbund in the closet. A semi-formal ensemble consists of the following: dress shoes (such as loafers or Oxfords), dark socks, dress pants, and a button-down dress shirt. A dark suit is always a good option. If you choose to wear a suit, a tie or bowtie is optional. A blazer or sports coat is suitable for daytime events, while you should wear a suit jacket at evening events. When it comes to accessories, skip the pocket square and cufflinks in favor of minimal accessories, such as a watch. Avoid casual dress articles such as t-shirts, polo shirts, khakis, and tennis shoes.

Feminine semi-formal wear is a broad category that includes midi dresses, maxi-dresses, wrap dresses, cocktail dresses, pantsuits, and jumpsuits. If you choose to wear a dress, your hemline can fall below the knee. Avoid floor-length gowns and ball gowns—these are appropriate wedding guest dresses for black-tie weddings. Heels, sandals, flats, and dress shoes are appropriate footwear choices for semi-formal events; consider where the event will take place (heels on the beach may not be practical). Feel free to wear whatever accessories or jewelry you'd like, but err on the side of minimalism.

Get a MasterClass Annual Membership and let Tan France be your very own style maestro. Queer Eye’s fashion guru spills everything he knows about building a capsule collection, finding a signature look, understanding proportions, and more (including why it’s important to wear underwear to bed)—all in a soothing British accent, no less.