How To Decode Every Wedding Dress Code This Summer

Wedding dress codes can be hard to figure out. Not that I would know – I think the one (and only) wedding I’ve been to was when I was 10 and I doubt I had any say in what I was wearing. I also haven’t been invited to a wedding for this year or the next, so if you’re reading this and you know me, GET MARRIED.

Below I’ve decoded every dress code commonly used on invites and picked out some wearables to go along with them, from White Tie to Casual.

White Tie

White Tie is the most formal of all wedding dress codes. Think a royal wedding or, like, the Oscars. I will likely never get one of these invites but congrats if you do.

White Tie Dresses:

RASARIO Triple Bow Gown in Yellow
GALVAN Silk Pandora Dress in Pink
Screen Shot 2019-05-08 at 6.53.22 PM PatBo Pearl & Velvet Gown
Dundas Open Back Sequin Gown in Metallics

Black Tie

This usually means formal gowns for women. Despite your mind running to “ball gown”, know that Black Tie usually allows formal dresses at any length.

Black Tie Dresses:

Oscar de la Renta Strapless Ruched Silk Mini Dress
Michelle Mason One Shoulder Ruffle Hem Dress
Stella McCartney Plunging Dress in Black

Formal/Black Tie Optional

These two terms are often interchanged, and usually, mean a floor length dress or pantsuit for women.

Shop Formal/Black Tie Optional:

Zuhair Murad Marilyn Lace Dress in Pink
Caroline Constas Amelia Gown in Orange
LIKELY x REVOLVE Fina Gown

Cocktail Attire/Semi-Formal/Dressy Casual

All three of these mean somewhere in-between casual and formal. Like the first phrase states, ladies often wear a cocktail dress. Fancy jumpsuits are also allowed.