Dress code help!

[Terribleluck]

I'm going to a week long event for work in the US (SW) and this is the dress code, what does it mean in layman's terms?

The challenge here is that those terms have very specific definitions for menswear, but are a greyer area for womenswear.

I can only go by what I'd wear in those situations, but:

Business Casual - I'd wear either:

• A plain coloured tailored dress (the fabric makes all the difference here, basically not a stretch fabric) + blazer, tights, shoes.

Or

• A smart wide leg trousers, a shell top and a blazer (again, I'd avoid stretchy material or t-shirt shapes).

Semi formal - is the step below black tie, so I'd probably wear the sort of dress you'd wear to a posh restaurant + tights + clutch bag and shoes. It's an evening do so silks/satins/sparkles are likely to be more common.

Casual (outside) - I'd wear plain colour smart jeans + camisole + plain colour deep v-neck jumper + chelsea boots.

Is it a conference? Assuming that you're female and you tend to wear typical 'female' clothes ie dresses, skirts and tops, sometimes trousers, but not suits like a man would, I'd say for 'business casual' a day dress and shoes that you're comfortable standing and walking in, layers (fine knit cardigan or jacket, but not a particularly structured one) in case the air conditioning is fierce, or a top and skirt or trousers, again possibly with a cardigan or jumper. No denim, hems at least knee length, remember that a skirt or dress might ride up quite a bit when sitting down.

For the outdoor sessions, same as above, consider the weather and that if you have to walk on grass or gravel you don't want pointy heels.

For semi formal, a dress or trousers and nice top if that's more you and nice shoes but not a long evening dress type, dress as if you were going to a restaurant for a nice dinner on a special occasion, again no denim.

My top tip for conference attendance, always go to the toilet before the speeches start. and don't get too drunk

The last para about going to he toilet is at the dinner btw.

The semi formal one is the one that trips me up the most.... Being the type of company they are I'm almost certain they'd be ok with jeans for business casual (I prefer dresses though).

For business casual, wear a jacket of some sort - men are likely to be in blazer/chinos/open neck shirt. Jackets say 'business' (even if you slip it off). You could do trousers and shirt or some sort of shell or a good (probably fine-knit) jumper.

Outdoors means add something waterproof - either something tweedy ir waxed cotton, or goretex (the sort of thing the Duchess of Canbridge wears at country casual type events) - I'd wear black/grey/navy skinny jeans with good boots

Evening looks like men will be in dark suits, so tailored dress, or separates - not OTT shiny/sequinned and definitely not see through! But should look like clothes that go out at night, so with a bit of gloss/embellishment

It's Palm Springs I don't I'd wear tweed there!