Occasion Wear
Occasion wear or formal wear (Wiki) is a dress code tradition that has lived through decades. It is a common sight to still see men and women dressed in occasion wear such as sleek tailcoats and elegant evening gowns with elaborate hats to match. A dress code is a set of rules that govern a certain combination of clothing to be worn at a specific function or occasion.
It's a form of etiquette (Wiki) and it has been talked about how people, who dress in correct occasion wear, further demonstrates or rather reminds everyone else of their status in society. Around the western world, particularly in countries such as America, there has been a relaxed approach in relation to occasion wear. But items like white ties or morning dresses aren't all too popular around the world actually.
A classic example of how things have changed is the modification of tie dress codes by doing away with black bow ties (Wiki) entirely, in favor of a regular tie and waistcoat; an improvement which would have been thought as absurd and frowned upon just a few decades ago. Famous fashion mishaps of occasion wear include turning up in white at a wedding or at a funeral for that matter. At the same time, it can be embarrassing to show up at a function in a turquoise party dress amid a sea of suits.
A general rule of thumb is to read the dress code on the event invitation and to err on the side of discretion by playing it safe with an outfit that will not put you at the top of the "Worst Dressed List". Perhaps the most popular use of occasion wear is still apparent in Britain where for events such as weddings, funerals, baptism, horse races and dinner parties, the term 'occasion wear' really does have a meaning to it and people take it seriously and dress accordingly.
The most recent wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton showcased a number of occasion wear ensembles by the attendees, including top hats, morning dresses and appropriate dresses. Nowadays, the item that seems to escape the confined rule of occasion wear is the hat. Ladies seem to outdo each other to don the most elaborate or, in some cases, even outrageous hats.
These, of course, make the headlines and ensure the images are splashed across the pages of magazines and even shown on TV. For certain functions like weddings, dress code also dictates the color and style the different members of the entourage should wear. From the mother of the bride to the ring bearer, the dress code is set. It must be said that although occasion wear is still adhered to in certain society circles, there is a trend to be a bit more relaxed in the type of attire to be worn for functions.
Very formal occasions still demand a dress code and especially so if the function involves royalty or heads of state. Many people do like to 'dress up' in formal outfits as it is a change from the norm and functions or events that require occasion wear is a chance to experience this in a very elegant setting.
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