Question from Eloisa:
These questions just keep popping up. Is there any real difference between having a Casual or Informal attire for a Party? I picture casual as shorts, sweat pants, t-shirts with designs on them and I picture informal as slacks (like Dockers), a nice looking shirt with no designs, a dress or skirt that a woman would wear to work, a nice pant suit. I know a Formal attire is more fancy. Since it is a 25th
anniversary party would I need to put casual or informal in the invitations?
Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:
Hi Eloisa,
I welcome your questions.
Informal attire refers to a suit (matching jacket and trousers) and tie for the man, and similar attire for a woman. Women have more options in informal attire, but refers to dress and jacket, or skirt, blouse and jacket, or a dress. This link has some great information about informal attire for social settings.
Casual attire refers to blue jeans, t-shirts, and similar clothing.
Formal dress can be white tie (very formal) or black tie (semi-formal). Daytime events are often semi-formal when it comes to the formal attire category.
Saying all that, it is a common practice to not state the style of dress unless it is to be formal or casual. At special events, like your 25th anniversary, most people will come in what is called informal attire automatically because it is the social norm. Most people do not know that it is called informal attire, so people may be confused by the term. Because we live in a sweatpant society in North America, many people think wearing a "informal" suit to be formal wear.
I hope that answers your question. Feel free to contact me again if any other questions ‘pop up’.
Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Expert
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