What Should Be Avoided in Formal Dress Etiquette?

First impression counts, especially when attending a formal event. When attending a wedding, gala, or corporate function, your attire says a lot even before you say a word. However, most Australians unwittingly make formal dressing mistakes that nullify their confidence and create a long-lasting, negative impression.

Understanding what not to do with formal wear etiquette will save you embarrassing fashion blunders and enable you to be on your best at any upscale event.

The Most Common Formal Wear Mistakes

Ill-Fitting Clothes

Ill-fitting clothing derails a professional look sooner than anything else. Too-loose suits are not crisp, and too-tight suit jackets restrict movement and form unflattering silhouettes. Your jacket shoulders should neither roll nor feel too tight. Your pant hems should skim your shoes. Professional women’s dresses should drape over your natural form without gapping or pulling.

Most Australians purchase off-the-rack formal attire without any thought of alterations. You will always look more confident in a well-fitted, good quality middle-range suit than in a pricey, poorly fitting suit. Have professional alterations made so that your formal attire is adding to your appearance, not detracting from it.

Inappropriate Fabrics

The incorrect fabric will downscale your formal look at once. Shiny polyester suits can look formal, but when lit up under light at functions, they just might look more like a costume. Similarly, extremely casual fabrics of jersey or denim are not suited for extremely formal functions.

Use traditional formal materials such as wool, silk, or good cotton blends. Not only do these materials look classy, but they are also more breathable for extended periods while going to functions. In the Australian climate, lightweight wool or cotton-silk blend materials that are particularly woven for breathability are very suitable for outdoor formals.

Over-Accessorising

It is on formal events that restraint must be employed on accessorising. Overloading yourself with several rings, chunky watches, and obtrusive jewellery produces cluttered images rather than sophistication. Let the sexy formal dresses at Destiny Chic speak for themselves. The same applies to pocket squares, cufflinks, and tie clips—you wear them but not to over-accessorise.

Pick one or two classy accessories and let them subtly speak for themselves. A plain watch, traditional cufflinks, or minimalist earrings are more effective than multiple showy ones.

Shoe Faux Pas

Shoes can either make or break your formal attire. Sneakers, look-run-down shoes, or overly worn-out dress shoes are not formal. Run-down leather or the wrong type like flip-flops are a sure sign that you did not dress according to the dress code.

Invest in a good pair of leather dress shoes that are as formal as your clothes. For men, classic Oxfords or brogues are suitable with most formal clothes. For women, closed-toe pumps or fashionable heels that you can easily wear during the event are appropriate.

Incorrect Sock Selection

Socks are a small thing, but they say much in the corporate world. White athletic socks with a black suit are a dissonant combination, while novelty socks with cartoon characters have no place in conservative settings.

Choose dress socks that are the same colour as or that complement the colour of the trousers or shoes. Dark socks are optimum and should be long enough not to expose the skin when seated.

Disregarding Grooming

Even the most costly of formal attire cannot make up for a lack of grooming. Unkempt hair, nose hair, or smudged nails tells others that you do not understand the importance of the occasion.

Arrange for grooming sessions before major formal events. This includes haircuts, manicures, and other personal grooming routines. New grooming completes your formal attire and boosts confidence during the event.

Fragrance Overuse

Strong perfume or cologne is overpowering to others in the tight spaces common at formal events. What may smell good to you is overpowering to someone else who just so happens to be near you via conversation or dining.

Use perfume or cologne discreetly, applying to the pulse points rather than covering yourself in a cloud of scent. Subtle enhancement is the goal, not fragrance of your presence.

Levelling Up Your Formal Fashion Game

Formal attire etiquette is also learned by paying close attention to every detail and by understanding that perhaps less is more. Avoid these mistakes, and you will be creating a sophisticated, confident impression at any black-tie affair. Formal dressing is never about concealing your true self, but about refining it.