Hey guys! How can I politely tell my guests to dress up nicely? (2024)

FAQs

Hey guys! How can I politely tell my guests to dress up nicely? ›

A dress code for the guests is a great way to suggest what you are looking for and using words like "Strictly" and "No chinos/shorts/jeans/sneakers" etc go along way. You could suggest for the men black tie, or black or navy lounge suits only.

Put It on the Invitation

The simplest way to tell your guests what they're expected to wear is to put a dress code in the invitation. There is a time-honored glossary of dress-code wording short enough to include on invitations, or on a card inserted with the invitation.

“Please remember to dress in a manner that is respectful and appropriate for the office.” “Let's make sure our outfits are professional and don't contain any offensive language or imagery.” “It's important that everyone follows the dress code policy so that we can maintain a professional workplace.”

AKA: "Smart casual," "dressy casual," "casual threads," "informally fabulous," "simple and chic."

One of the most important things to do when communicating the dress code for your event is to use clear and consistent terms that your guests can understand and follow. Avoid ambiguous or confusing phrases like "smart casual", "dressy casual", or "festive attire", which can mean different things to different people.

Our company's official dress code is [ Business/ Business Casual/ Smart Casual/ Casual. ] We may change our dress code in special cases. For example, we may require employees to wear semi-formal attire for an event. Then, both male and female employees should wear suits, ties, white shirts and appropriate shoes.

With either your dress code policy or pictorial examples in front of you, say something along the lines of: “Some of your clothing choices are inappropriate for the office. I'd appreciate you making some changes, and I will help you.” “I would appreciate you dressing more modestly/professionally in the office.

Appropriate attire must be worn at all times. This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license. They can typically dress in casual but appropriate attire, depending on the setting.

Don't understate or sugarcoat your message. Be direct and give concrete advice. For example, you might say “More tailored is better than too short or too tight.” Leave room in the discussion – by not doing all the talking – for the person to share what they might be going through.

What is another way to say dress code? ›

The word casual is used to imply that the event isn't formal and that co*cktail or formal attire isn't necessary. The adjective accompanying the word casual— usually words like dress, business, or smart — is used to let the invitee know the exact degree on the thermometer of casualness they should aim for.

One way to ask about the dress code is to be direct. If you spoke with a recruiter or hiring manager on the phone, you can simply ask them what the dress code is ahead of your interview or the first day of work. If you have already been hired, they might forget to mention the dress code to you.

If the invitation does not state the dress code, you can ask the event organizer or other attendees what they plan to wear. This can help you avoid feeling over or underdressed at the event. After determining the dress code, choose appropriate attire that aligns with the occasion.