Big party, need to state a dress code

[Calculuses]

It's a big celebration to mark a milestone for a club I belong to. We've got a beautiful venue and would like a dress code that means "made a bit of effort". Black tie would be too much and put off people who aren't accustomed to those kinds of dos though. It's in he evening in summer if that makes a difference. Fancy buffet and dancing.

What I'm envisaging is men in smart jeans or nice trousers with a their going out shirt and women in cocktail dresses or similar (I think women end of go more dressy anyway?)

Anyway, what's that called?

Dress code smart/glam ?

Since you mention cocktail dresses, "cocktail" seems like it would work fine to me. That traditionally means lounge suiting for men, but most will probably downgrade it a bit by subbing in jeans or losing the tie in these casual days.

What I'm envisaging is men in smart jeans or nice trousers with a their going out shirt and women in cocktail dresses or similar (I think women end of go more dressy anyway?)

Isn't that what most people would wear to a party at a venue like that by default? I'm not sure you need to specify anything.

“Dress to impress”? A bit more informal that a dress code per se but implies dress up a bit!

I'd say 'cocktail', that seems to represent what you described

Do you need a dress code? Most people would make an effort at a party. You don’t want to put people off.

Yes I'm thinking the standard smart casual would cover it?

Or don't mention it at all? I think stating a dress code is both a bit naff and condescending. Like you can't trust people to dress appropriately for a party.

How about just 'Celebrate!'

I would say cocktail attire, if it's evening - this would be dresses and jackets but casual ish ones. Or 'summer garden party'.

Smart casual would be more what I wear to work - which is currently a knit jumper, cardigan and black jeans. If you want 'made a bit of effort' I think you need to go a bit further towards formal.

Why are you expecting the men to dress up more than the women?

Tbh, I don't think that what you're describing for guys is really making "a bit of an effort".

Just call it lounge suits. That implies a jacket, trousers and no trainers. 🤷‍♀️. In today's world I think that's ok without a tie.

I agree.
People can wear what they want. Most adults understand societies expectations of appropriate conduct. Those who don’t, won’t care about a dress code either.

I agree there's no need to set a dress code. People understand what's expected.

Agree with this and other similar posts. Surely most adults can dress appropriately for a party?

I think the technical term for what you are looking at is "lounge wear" (lounge suits, dresses, etc) but that has taken on a slightly different meaning in recent years!

I disagree that it's naff or condescending, I think a lot of people wouldn't actually know how to judge it - many wouldn't want to appear too overdressed or underdressed for an occasion, and are happy for a dress code to provide a bit of insight. As it's a summer event, they wouldn't know if it was meant to be a casual shorts and flip-flops occasion, or not, without a bit of helpful indication on the invite.

I'd say "Smart casual/glam" would cover it.

Men can wear jeans but women should wear cocktail dresses?
Yeah, I'd be declining that invitation.

Surely it's the other way round?

If you put smart casual you may well get the women turning up in jeans and lots of people in trainers, especially if the weather is cool. Cocktail is a better bet.

smart jeans and cocktail dresses are not from the same dress code IMO! Cocktail suggests more evening wear and smarter than anything I'd expect jeans to be worn to. "Dress to impress / feel fabulous" or no dress code mentioned.

I don't really know what a cocktail dress is and I'm pretty sure I don't own one. So if I got an invitation that stated "cocktail" or "dress to impress" or anything of the sort I'd be rolling my eyes and pulling out my standard nice enough dress I wear to any event requiring any degree of smartness. New Look, long sheer sleeves of black with a red flower design over a plain black under bit.

Whether it meets the dress requirements or not wouldn't be a consideration, it's smart enough as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe I mean party dress then? The kind of thing you'd wear to a posh work Christmas bash

What is the consensus of the other people in the club? Your vision for what people 'should' wear to this celebration may be different to others.

Just let people choose what to wear. If someone chooses not to properly dress up does it matter? Would that somehow ruin the evening?

I would totally prefer to wear a pair of jeans to a fancy dress. Those aren't the same level of dress code, so what do you actually want?

Edit: just seen your cross post. Why do I have to wear a dress? Trousers will do just fine if the blokes can wear trousers and a shirt, why cant I wear trousers and a nice top?