What does formal attire mean for women?
Formal on an invitation means a long dress in a dressy fabric. A floor length gown or maxi is the safe reading, and a tea length or polished midi dress is accepted in most cases. Formal attire sits fourth on the usual scale of dress codes: casual, smart casual, cocktail, formal, black tie, white tie. It asks for more than a cocktail dress and a little less than black tie.
The word has a second meaning in Australia. A formal is also the end of school dance, the event Americans call prom. The dress code is the same for both, so a school formal dress and a prom dress are the same kind of dress.
What to wear to a formal event
The length and the fabric make a dress formal. The colour, neckline and shape are yours to choose.
School formal or prom. Most people wear a floor length dress or gown to a school formal or prom. Satin, sequins and structured bodices are all common. Check the school or venue rules on splits, low backs and cut outs before you buy, and pick shoes you can dance in.
Formal wedding. A formal wedding calls for a maxi dress or gown, or a dressy midi for a daytime ceremony. Avoid white and ivory, and avoid the bridesmaids' colour if you know it. If the invitation says black tie, go floor length.
Ball or gala. A ball or gala is the place for a full gown. Floor length is expected, and richer fabrics such as velvet, satin and crepe suit the evening. A ball gown with a full skirt is welcome but not required.
Awards night or formal dinner. A column dress, a satin maxi or a tea length dress fits a work awards night or a formal dinner. You will be seated for most of it, so choose a dress you can sit in comfortably for three hours.
What not to wear to a formal event
A formal dress code rules out short and casual dresses. In most cases, leave these at home:
- Mini dresses and anything above the knee
- Casual fabrics such as cotton jersey, denim and linen
- Sundresses and day dresses, even long ones
- White or ivory at a wedding, unless the couple asks for it
- Shoes you cannot stand in for the night
A long hem alone does not make a dress formal. A cotton maxi dress is still a casual dress.
Formal compared with other dress codes
| Dress code | Hem length | Typical dress | Typical events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual | Any | Sundress, T-shirt dress | Weekends, barbecues |
| Smart casual | Any | Shirt dress, wrap dress | Lunches, the office |
| Cocktail | Knee to midi | Cocktail dress in satin, crepe or lace | Weddings, engagement parties |
| Formal | Tea length to floor | Maxi dress or gown in a dressy fabric | School formal, prom, balls, evening weddings |
| Black tie | Floor | Evening gown | Black tie weddings, galas |
| White tie | Floor | Full ball gown | State and ceremonial events |
Formal and black tie are close but not the same. Formal allows a tea length or dressy midi dress. Black tie expects a floor length gown. An invitation that says black tie optional can be read as formal.
Shop the dress code
See all formal dressesCommon questions
What counts as a formal dress?
A formal dress is floor length or tea length, in a dressy fabric such as satin, crepe, chiffon or velvet. Short casual styles and anything you would wear to brunch sit outside the dress code.
Is a formal dress the same as a prom dress?
Nearly. In Australia a formal is the end of school dance, which Americans call prom, so the dresses overlap. Formal as a dress code is wider and also covers weddings, balls and galas.
Can a formal dress be short?
Usually not. A formal dress code asks for a floor length or tea length hem, so a mini or knee length dress will look underdressed. A dressy midi is the shortest length that is widely accepted.
Is formal the same as black tie?
No. Black tie is one step more formal. Formal allows a dressy midi or tea length dress as well as a gown, while black tie expects a floor length gown. If an invitation says black tie optional, read it as formal.
Can you wear a midi dress to a formal event?
Yes, in most cases. A midi dress in satin, crepe or velvet with dressy shoes fits a formal dress code. Choose a hem at mid calf or lower, and keep the gown for invitations that say black tie.
Can you wear black to a formal?
Yes. Black is one of the most common colours for a formal dress and suits every formal event, including most weddings. Fabric and length matter more than colour, so choose a dressy fabric and a long hem.