What Is Semi-Formal Wedding Attire

Clothing like evening gowns, tuxedos, jeans, and sneakers aren’t appropriate for semiformal events. Instead, opt for something you feel rides the line between casual and formal.

Semiformal Attire Guidelines

Debby Mayne is an etiquette expert and writer with over 25 years of experience.

Have you ever received an invitation to a special event that calls for semiformal attire? Are you unsure of what that means? If so, you’re not alone.

What Is Semiformal Attire?

Semiformal attire is an outfit that is dressier than what you’d wear to an office but not as dressy as a formal evening gown or tuxedo. If the event is held in the evening (after 6 p.m.), the semiformal guidelines lean more toward the formal than if it were held during the day.

Semiformal attire is typically worn to weddings, holiday parties, and to fine restaurants. Some teen and preteen dances are designated semiformal.

If you receive an invitation that states semiformal as the required or preferred style of dress, you have a wide range of choices. It fits somewhere between casual and formal, so you might need to clarify specifically what is meant if you aren’t sure. There’s nothing wrong with contacting the host to ask for more specific information. Now would be a great time to offer to give a toast!

Semiformal Wear

There are quite a few options for semiformal attire. This may include dresses, separates, or a suit in a dressy fabric, such as silk, cashmere, or satin.

• Dress: A dress or dressy suit with a dressy top, with heels, strappy sandals, flats, or dress shoes may also be worn. Sparkling gemstones, pearls, and dressy fashion jewelry are all appropriate. However, be careful not to overdo it, or you’ll look more like you’re in costume than semiformal wear.
• Suit: A conservative dark suit with a dress shirt are a great option, especially for an evening event. A vest that matches the suit is optional. In most cases, a tie should be worn, but in some cases, it isn’t necessary. A lighter colored suit could be acceptable for a daytime event.
• Jumpsuit: A dressy jumpsuit can be appropriate for semiformal as well as long as it’s the right cut and material. It should be long enough to cover your legs and ideally made of a nicer fabric, such as silk, satin, crepe, or chiffon. A wide leg will look more formal than a tapered one.

Semiformal Accessories

If in doubt, wear a tie. You can always take it off later. A belt that matches dress shoes and dark socks are essential. Subtle jewelry is appropriate.

Semiformal Wear for Teens and Preteens

Age and type of event help to determine what is appropriate for semiformal attire. Some of events that might require semiformal attire might include a bar or bat mitzvah, dance, holiday party, sweet sixteen, or prom.

• Short, fun dresses: Semiformal clothes for a middle school dance may include a short dress with sequins at the neckline or all-over glitter. If the dress has a lot of sparkles, wear less shiny jewelry so it doesn’t compete. For a dress that isn’t shiny, add sparkling rhinestone jewelry for a more festive look.
• Fitted or unique dresses: Someone in high school might choose a more fitted or off-shoulder dress for their special occasion. Before you go shopping, make sure you know what is allowed at the event. Some schools may have a dress code that prohibits plunging necklines, strapless dresses or tops, and high slits at the hem.
• Dress pants, tie and jacket, or suit: Start with a nice pair of dress pants, a button-front shirt, a tie, and a jacket. Or you can wear a dark suit. You may even be able to wear a lighter suit to daytime summer events. Complete the ensemble with a pair of dark dress shoes (dressy loafers, oxfords, or lace-up shoes). Always wear socks to a semiformal event.

Remember that semiformal occasions call for good grooming. Make sure you are clean, your hair is combed or styled, and your nails are clean. Tuck in a button-down shirt and make sure your tie hangs at the right level. If you need help, most adults will be happy to give you some assistance with the tie.

Semiformal Weddings

Many weddings call for guests to wear semiformal attire. You want to look your best, but you don’t want to upstage the bride, so avoid white or off-white. If in doubt, there is nothing wrong with talking to the bride or someone in the bridal party to prevent committing a faux pas or wearing the same exact shade as the wedding party.

• Cocktail dress: A cocktail dress is generally your best bet for most semiformal weddings. Any length of dress is acceptable, though a longer hem will definitely be easy to dance in. A longer dress that is shin or ankle length with a sleek leg slit can be a stylish compromise.
• Dressy pantsuit or jumpsuit: You may also wear a dressy pantsuit with nice shoes, such as loafers or heels, and attractive jewelry.
• Maxi dress: If the wedding is outdoors, you may wear a maxi-dress with strappy or embellished sandals that are appropriate for walking on the sand. Heels might get stuck in the grass or sand and make walking difficult, so if you aren’t sure, ask someone in the wedding party where the ceremony will take place.
• Classic or creative suit: Semiformal attire allows you to have a little fun with a suit. You can choose a classic suit in blue or black, or show off your style a little bit with a unique yet sophisticated blazer paired with pants. Ties are optional for semiformal attire, so try a patterned pocket square or vest for a fun pop of style.

Clothing like evening gowns, tuxedos, jeans, and sneakers aren’t appropriate for semiformal events. Instead, opt for something you feel rides the line between casual and formal.

Cocktail attire tends to be slightly dressier than semiformal attire. Still, you can usually wear a cocktail dress to a wedding.

Dark dress pants are typically a good choice for semiformal attire. You also can go for lighter colors in materials like linen, especially during warmer months.

What Is Semi-Formal Wedding Attire?

We’re walking you through this semi-ambiguous dress code.

Jenny Berg has spent more than a decade covering wedding and event-industry trends along with other lifestyle topics for publications such as Vogue.com and Instyle.com.

Corinne is a fashion expert and editor at Brides. She also worked at Vogue Magazine, then later as a talent manager for social media influencers in the fashion and beauty space.

In This Article

There are some things couples hope their wedding guests will always get right. Chief among them? The dress code. But even if the dress code is clearly printed on the wedding invitation, guests don’t always arrive in attire that fits the bill—it’s not for lack of trying, though. After all, some dress codes can be downright confusing to decipher, like semi-formal wedding attire.

In general, semi-formal dress codes call for a more relaxed look than what’s required at a formal, black-tie event. It’s a way of asking guests to wear something nice without requiring them to purchase an expensive gown or rent a tux. That flexibility, however, is exactly what makes it tricky for guests to decode: Without clear guidance on what’s expected, your family and friends might have no idea what’s appropriate to wear.

That’s where we come in. To walk you through this semi-ambiguous attire (which is widely deemed the most confusing of all), we tapped industry experts Victoria Holland and Gina Vinnitsky for their professional advice. Read on to learn more.

Meet the Expert

• Victoria Holland is a wedding planner and the owner of Victoria Ann Events, a luxury wedding planning company.
• Gina Vinnitsky is a bridal stylist and the owner of Silk and Style Bridal, a concierge styling service that helps brides find their dream dresses.

What to Wear to a Semi-Formal Wedding

“Sometimes semi-formal can be so hard because guests don’t want to be overdressed, but they don’t want to be underdressed,” explains Victoria Holland, luxury wedding planner and owner of Victoria Ann Events. If you understand the basics, however, selecting an outfit shouldn’t be too hard, no matter the venue or season.

Semi-Formal Wedding Attire for Women

If you’re not a fan of floor-length gowns, you’ll be pleased to know that you can ditch your formalwear pieces when attending this type of wedding. “A semi-formal dress code gives women the chance to opt for pieces that let them breathe and move a little more freely,” shares bridal stylist and owner of Silk and Style Bridal Gina Vinnitsky. “No heavy beading or floor-length gowns. Instead, women can don anything from a mid- to knee-length skirt with fabrics featuring minimalistic patterns and/or muted colors.”

Holland also notes that women can lean into more tailored looks, like two-piece ensembles and suits. “We always think a fun suit is a great option for women, for semi-formal, if the venue is giving more formal vibes, like a chic satin suit in a fun color,” she shares. Vinnitsky agrees, adding that “Pants or a jumpsuit would also work just fine for a semi-formal wedding.”

As for accessories, Vinnitsky advises guests to opt for more simple and minimalist styles, recommending block heels or wedges over stilettos and simple gold or silver jewelry over ornate pieces. “Some thin gold hoops or delicate necklaces will emphasize your look without going overboard,” she explains.

Semi-Formal Wedding Attire for Men

Semi-formal attire is not the time for tuxedos. Instead, men should focus on matching a suit jacket or a blazer with dress pants. What’s more, when choosing a color to wear, Vinnitsky shares that “Depending on whether it’s a daytime or nighttime event, [men] can opt for a lighter or darker color. Light blues and beiges are perfect for those morning and afternoon weddings, while navy is befitting of an evening event.”

Another piece of advice? Stay clear of jeans and khakis! “I can’t tell you how many men think that semi-formal means nice jeans and a button-down. It does not,” advises Holland. “Our best advice for men is to wear dress pants and a fun dinner jacket with a button-down shirt.”

Lastly, when it comes to accessories, both experts highlight that men can ditch their ties, though it’s highly suggested to wear one in order to elevate a look. Vinnitsky further shares that men should consider wearing loafers and oxfords since they’re slightly more casual, but dress shoes are also appropriate if that’s what you prefer. “Pocket squares also add a nice touch and a bit of personality, but are not required,” the stylist adds.

Additional Semi-Formal Wedding Attire Tips

If you’re still unsure of what to wear, a great rule of thumb is to “lean into what vibe the venue is giving,” shares Holland. Additionally, Vinnitsky shares that guests should consider the time of day when selecting an outfit.

“Daytime, and especially daytime outdoors, will definitely lend itself more to the casual options, while nighttime and indoors will lean more towards dressy options,” she says. “In general, semi-formal is about striking the perfect balance between casual and dressy. It’s a notch above ‘business casual’ but a notch below ‘cocktail’ attire.”

When in doubt, however, both experts advise guests to dress up rather than dress down. After all, no matter the dress code, weddings are special events that deserve out-of-the-ordinary outfits. “You’ll never regret being slightly overdressed, especially at a wedding,” notes Vinnitsky.