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?

Could you put a picture on the invitation of an appropriately dressed couple? I went to a sports award presentation night recently and was surprised/shocked to see people in jeans and jumpers there! Some suits and smarter outfits too thankfully.

That's still what most women will wear. So it doesn't need stating.

I work in the NHS - a posh work Christmas bash is a night out to a restaurant in my jeans and a nice top!

Seriously though, unless it's a black tie do I think you'll have to allow people to dress in a smart way for them which will allow them to be comfortable and enjoy the event.

No one's going to be turned away for getting it wrong, it's just to give an idea of the kind of function it is.

Why do women have to wear a dress but men ok to wear jeans?
There's no need for a dress code. Safely assume that people can dress for an event. If they are unable to, it will have zero impact on anything.
They will be able to get a idea of the type of function it is by the location and time of year.

Well, we didn't put a dress code out with the original details and several people have asked, so some people do like be told.

They will be able to get a idea of the type of function it is by the location and time of year.
Exactly. Plus any details of catering or of there is going to be dancing. Everything else on the invitation will set the tone with no need to refer to a dress code.

Don’t put it on the invite, it’s condescending. If people want to ask they can just text you. Seems odd to have a combination of jeans and cocktail dresses though, the men will look terrible underdressed!

I think most people will make an effort, the venue is on the invite and that will dictate the dress code.

I agree why posh dresses for women if men can wear jeans. That would annoy me too. Also I don't own any dresses!.

"dress to impress" like a pp said. If it is not people who are used to dress codes don't say 'cocktail dresses'. Nobody know what that means if they don't read Debretts.

I like the suggestion of 'dress to impress'. Some will, some won't and if nobody is being turned away it won't matter anyway. If you're ok with jeans then expect trainers so it'll end up being pretty casual anyway.

You could say "elegant".

Strictly speaking, "cocktail" is a bit smarter than what you have in mind as technically means men should be in suits (or at least trousers rather than jeans). Although it might not matter as probably people will get the idea it's basically supposed to be a bit glam

Happy to be told I'm wrong on this, but if DH could wear smart jeans and a shirt, I would most probably wear smart trousers and a nice top.

If I'm going to wear a bloody cocktail dress, then they can wear a decent pair of trousers and a jacket. That's lounge suits.

Otherwise it's smart casual and don't expect the women in dresses.

Smart casual/party wear.

Any mention of expected dress code would have me running for the hills. Because I either wouldn’t own anything appropriate if you said cocktail dress, or would overthink it to the point of not going.

Just the venue and event would be enough to work out what’s appropriate and would work for your own style and comfort levels, imo.

I wouldn't go to a party with a dress code unless it was a wedding of a close friend/close relative. It would put me off going entirely.

Try lounge wear and see what happens! 😀

I like “dress to impress” because it doesn’t sound much like a dress code, more an encouragement that it’s a party. It’s a very informal way of stating “we’d love it if you want to dress up”

To me cocktail could mean black tie for the men ( black tie traditionally needing ladies in long dress). I’d put smart which should keep jeans and trainers away

Yes, thinking about it, just "smart" is about right. There will still be a huge variation but no one will be made to feel wrong. It might put some people off though, dress codes make my heart sink a little and I do prefer casual, especially if I will be on my feet because smart shoes and comfort are a tricky combination.

I wouldn't go to anything where I was told I had to "dress to impress"!

Who the fuck do I have to impress???

I just use the word 'smart' for the dress code.

I was about to say the same. ‘Dress to impress’ would instantly put me off an event. I don’t want or need to impress anyone, and if I did, it wouldn’t be via my outfit 😂

It's a big celebration, right?
So.you don't want folks turning up in what they normally wear. You want a bit of sparkle and glam.
Go for either Cocktail or Smart Casual

Yes, you’re right!