What does "Semi formal/Cocktail" mean in clothing??

r ranson wrote:"semi-formal" ug.  No clue what it means.

Not jeans?  Not shorts?  not black-tie... not sure what else it means.

mostly I'm just commenting to bump the thread and follow along.  

Jay Angler wrote:Good question! A quick look at google confirmed my initial reaction: "Semi-formal attire is an outfit that is dressier than what you'd wear to an office but not as dressy as a formal evening gown or tuxedo."  

The problem is that "what you'd wear to the office" is really affected by the "office" you're going to! Also affected by the socio-economic status of most of the people involved.

Then there's the "permiculture' factor. I have total disgust for putting a bunch of effort/money/resources into a dress I'd only wear once! If it were really necessary to be fancier than what I could pull out of my closet (which isn't very fancy), I'd be checking out thrift shops for something I could make-over. If I were going to make something, I'd be looking for a fabric and pattern that would look "fancy" because: 1) the colour *really* suits me
2) the style flatters me as much as is possible
3) that could be dressed up for this occasion - think hand-sewing on some quality lace +/- seed pearls for example - that can be removed after, leaving a practical, more every-day dress behind

If that doesn't work, I'd at least consider a "blouse/skirt" combo with one being dressier than the other, so at least half the outfit gets more use.

Nicole Alderman wrote:I don't think you have to wear a cocktail dress to a wedding. Semi-formal to me means a skirt or really nice slacks. You could also wear a cocktail-dress. I usually have just gotten by with a nice floor length floral skirt like this:



Like Pearl said, the sort of clothes you'd wear to church, but can be more "immodest" than you'd wear to church. You just don't want to out-shine the bride.

I just did a google search for "semi-formal attire summer wedding." I can't believe my floral skirt was right-on!



Here's one that kind of breaks it down by what each term means:



You don't have to wear flowers if you don't like them. A solid color skirt (preferably in a "summery" color works well!)

If you don't do skirts, you can get by with nice slacks (like you'd wear to an interview--these are easily found at thrift stores for cheap!) and a button-up blouse, maybe in a spring color.

Maybe something like this:



or



Here's a page full of slack-type outfits for a semi-formal wedding: https://www.asupervip.top/products.aspx?cid=54&cname=semi%20formal%20pants%20and%20blouse%20for%20wedding[/quot
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Thanks. I really like that flowered skirt. I am planning on sewing something and using the fabric and patterns I already have.