By Grace Ifunanya Ariwodo
Whether your fridge is plastered with wedding invitations or you’re starting a new office job after years of working from your couch in sweats, you’re probably asking yourself the age-old question: “What do I wear?” After all, some dress codes can be confusing. What is business casual? How are you supposed to dress for a cocktail party? Is black-tie actually optional?
These are valid concerns, and it’s understandable to feel some stress about your fashion choices from time to time when it comes to big events. Anyone would want to put their best foot forward and represent themselves well with whatever they wear, no matter if that foot is stepping into a corporate office or sliding on the dance floor at a wedding reception.
If a wedding or birthday party is on the horizon, it’s time to get serious about the dress code. We tapped professional stylist and content creator Kenzie Welch to break down each one and share the best ways to style them according your taste.
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Casual
Of all the options you may come across, a casual dress code is probably the most universally-recognized. While it doesn’t necessarily imply that you should just throw on yesterday’s sweatshirt, Welch explains that when you dress for a casual event, comfort is key. “Casual really means comfortable, low key, and effortless,” Welch says. “When I hear the word ‘casual,’ I always think that means effortless and comfortable.” You can refer to your favorite street style accounts on Instagram or follow the standard uniform of a classic T-shirt and jeans. Whatever you choose, dressing casually is more about how you feel than how you look.
Smart Casual
So, now you understand how to dress for a casual event. But how does it differ from “smart casual”? According to Welch, it doesn’t take as much mental effort as the name may suggest; just a bit more attention to detail. “Smart casual might be business on top, party on the bottom,” Welch says. “Let’s say you’re wearing a basic T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Try a white sneaker and throw on a blazer, or maybe accessorize with some glasses or a tote bag.” She shares that you can even take something more formal, like a full suit, and dress it down with sneakers or a graphic tee. Think of it as an elevated casual style.
Business Casual
Business casual has been a relatively controversial concept in recent years. If you search the term on TikTok, you’ll see plenty of Gen Z creators struggling to figure out what qualifies as business casual as they enter the corporate world. Welch shares that this dress code can vary from office to office, and that it’s more about showing up as your best self rather than fitting a certain mold.
“I think we’re redefining what it means to dress up in the workplace,” she says, adding that the term just boils down to clothes that are work appropriate. “For me, it’s showing up as your most confident self that can still be taken seriously. People can really lean into their authentic style, but elevate it in a more sophisticated way.” While she explains that elements like closed-toe shoes and more modest coverage are typically a good rule to follow, you can still play up your business casual ensemble with colors, patterns, and accessories that speak to who you are.
