Dresswear

Dresswear refers to clothing selected to meet the expectations of a social or professional occasion. It spans a spectrum from casual daytime outfits to formal evening attire and is defined by dress codes or guidelines established for a given event.

Common categories include casual, business or office wear, smart casual, semi-formal, formal, and the more specialized black-tie and white-tie levels. Each category suggests a corresponding set of garments and accessories: casual attire is informal; business wear emphasizes tailored suits and dresses; smart casual combines neat, relaxed pieces; semi-formal favors cocktail dresses or dark suits; formal requires elegant evening wear; black-tie typically calls for a tuxedo and a long gown, while white-tie prescribes the most formal morning dress and tailcoat in some contexts.

Historically, dresswear reflects social norms and cultural conventions. In Western fashion, formal dress codes were codified in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with black-tie and white-tie becoming standardized for events such as dinners and state occasions. Since mid-20th century, practices have relaxed in many settings, but clear codes remain in venues that enforce etiquette or safety requirements.

Dresswear varies by culture, climate, and religion, and many employers and event organizers specify acceptable options. Materials and construction emphasize fit and finish; common fabrics include wool, cotton, silk, and synthetic blends. Accessories such as footwear, belts, ties, jewelry, and outerwear complete the ensemble and help convey formality within a given code.