Dear Chums – What Should I Wear?

“Dear Chums,

When I get an invitation, I have a really hard time knowing what I should wear.”

“How can I handle this?

Confused With Clothes”

Dear Confused With Clothes,

Yes, a lot of times, it is questionable as to what one is supposed to wear to different functions.  For this reason, it is really helpful if a hostess puts something on the invitation to help her guests know.   “Black Tie” is always on an invitation if the gentlemen are supposed to be in tuxes or a dinner jacket, and, obviously, if the gents are wearing “Black Tie”, the ladies will be wearing a dressy dress.  Sometimes you will see “Coat and Tie” on an invitation but there seem to be very few times, these days, when you find the “dress” on the invitation.

Sometimes it is very obvious what to wear but, if you are in the slightest way doubtful, do not hesitate to call your hostess and ask.  That is the safest way to handle it to ensure that you will feel comfortable at the party. And remember if you can’t get an answer from your hostess for any reason, it is always far less embarrassing to be “over dressed” than it is to be “under dressed”.

Whatever you wear, always wear a smile.  As Annie so sweetly tells us, “You are never fully dressed without a smile”.

PS  When you are traveling to different parts, always find out what is expected as far as dress goes as, in various parts of the country/world, the dress code can be quite different.