Christs College Cambridge formal what to wear

[Princessfluffy]

Anyone have any idea on what to wear if invited by a college member as a guest to a "formal"?

A formal hall, like a regular dinner in the main hall, or an evening ball type event?

I'm not sure
Could a "formal" be either?

Normally a formal dinner at college will be a suit and tie for men and cocktail dress or similar for women. Members of college and academic staff will wear their gowns.

Usually a formal will be 'formal hall' which is an evening dinner held separately to canteen hours in hall. Students will be wearing formal attire which should be (at least) suit for men and a smart outfit for women along with gowns. Some formal halls have specific themes eg Burns Night where people will try and dress appropriately. Best thing is to ask your host what they will be wearing as groups tend to go to formal halls with an agreed level of formality/party wear.

I've been to a Cambridge formal, but not at this college.

Very much not a ball, more 'look like you have made at least some effort'. Trouser suit, skirt with a sparkly top, smart dress.

Have asked DH who did say cocktail dress but then backed down and pointed out most people would be wearing gowns that hide what they are wearing so if you go all out, you will stand out a lot.

Thank you very much much for the advice

I'd add - as most will be wearing gowns, which are black, and any men will probably be wearing black or dark suits, wear black, maybe another dark colour and long sleeves if you want to blend in.

If you don't want to blend in (and there's no rule that says guests have to 😉) colour is your friend!

Temperature can be a bit unpredictable - some of the rooms are quite cold and draughty when you arrive but warm up with lots of people in them, so you might like a jacket or shawl or whatever is fashion nowadays (S&B is not my natural habitat 😅)

As a student you wear the gown at a formal
hall, and that hides a multitude of sins.

Plenty of people come in from rowing practice or whatever, throw on shirt and trousers/a dress and you get away with it because the gown hides it all.

Smart dress/top and trousers, it's not black tie or anything. Cocktail dress is over the top imv although not my style anyway.

A "formal" is a formal hall, the colleges do two meals each evening, one canteen style (get a tray and choose what you want) and one formal - three courses, no choice once you've booked, usually bring your own wine.

A ball is not a "formal".

I choose a midi length black dress ideally structured rather than flimsy

Don’t go overboard. The students dress up in skimpy cocktail dresses, but I’d feel overdressed jn anything sparkly, satin or sequins. I’d err towards a more sedate evening wear - so knee length or midi dress and as others have mentioned it can be chilly so a bit of sleeve or a jacket.

I would happily wear a cocktail dress to formal hall, but I would generally aim for shoulders covered - not because anyone will care but because you'll be wearing the fewest layers of anyone there (men being in shirt, suit jacket + gown) and the halls are often chilly.

Pretty much anything! I used to do cocktail dress because I like to dress up, but anything from smart work wear to summer dresses is common. Enjoy! Remember to stand up for grace!

As others have said it’s something smart but not overly formal. Something that you might wear for an evening meal at a nice restaurant. Maybe a nice simple dress (eg wrap dress) or trousers with a nice top / jumper. Definitely no need for a cocktail dress. The Fellows come after work so some are even in jeans but the gown hides a lot of things! (I’m in Cambridge but at another college).

Thank you all, it was a bit of a niche question but I knew the women of mumsnet would have the answers!

Formal is usually a long gown dress

Cocktail to or just last the knee but not long