lack-tie invites might not ... this is the most formal dress code they will ever encounter”. The advice for female guests is brief: “Women should wear a full-length evening dress or ball ...

In both cases, women are instructed to wear a floor-length gown ... which are actually a step down from black-tie optional events. At semi-formal functions, men can forgo a tie or bow tie ...

From traditional black-tie weddings to whimsical garden parties, we asked experts to help us break down what to wear.

For women, the sartorial requirements are pretty straightforward: formal floor-length ... For a white-tie affair, they’re required to wear a black tail coat (it must be waist length at the ...