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Terms like 'Smart-Casual', 'Business-Casual', 'Formal' and 'Business-Formal' are confusing. With our dress code guide, you will never get caught in the wrong attire again.

Smart Casual

A dress code that is common in the academic circles, typically during events like lectures or presentations.

Top - Collared shirt with long sleeves. In western context, Polo-shirts are sometimes accepted

Neckwear - Not necessary

Cufflinks - Not necessary

Belt - No fancy designs

Bottom - Long Pants. Denim is sometimes accepted

Shoes - Leather shoes with colour that matches that of the belt.  i.e. brown shoes with brown belt

  Business Casual

In general, business casual means dressing professionally, relaxed and yet near.

Top - Collared shirt with long sleeves

Neckwear - Not necessary

Cufflinks - Not necessary

Belt - Black / Brown.

Bottom - Long Pants. Denim is strictly not acceptable

Shoes - Leather shoes with colour that matches that of the belt.  i.e. brown shoes with brown belt

Although a tie is not normally required, the shirt should be able to accomodate one when needed.

 

Business Formal

This is the standard dresscode in a formal business environment.

Outerwear - Plain dark suits are the safest option. A pinstripe may be a good choice for more senior staff.

Top - Collared dress shirt. White is the universally accepted colour and shirt is ideally double cuffed. The top button of the collar must be done up.

Neckwear - Tie is required, bow ties are acceptable but very unusual. Avoide novelty items.

 

   

Cufflinks - Recommended. Avoid novelty items.

Belt - Black / Brown.

Bottom - Suit trousers. It is important that the colour matches exactly with the suit.

Shoes - Laced up leather shoes. Colour should match that of the belt.  i.e. brown shoes with brown belt

The bottomline: take cue from your peers and dress to the same standard. When appropriate, dress to the standard of the role that you aspire to be.

 

Formal - Black Tie

The 'Black Tie' is for semi-formal evening events or social functions.

Outerwear - A dinner jacket (UK) or tuxedo (US) is required, together with a low-cut waistcoat or cummerbund

Top - White dress shirt, either with a stiff or pleated front

Neckwear - Black silk bow tie

Cufflinks and shirt studs - Required

Bottom - Trousers with silk braids matching the lapels. Worn with braces.

Shoes - Black leather shoes, polished

 

  Formal - White Tie

The 'White Tie' is the most formal evening dress code. It is worn at events such as balls or formal dinners.

Outerwear - Black tailcoat with silk facings, horizontally cut away at the front. White low-cut waistcoat.

Top - White stiff-fronted shirt with stiff-winged collar

Neckwear - White bow tie

Cufflinks and shirt studs - Required

Bottom - Black trousers with a braid (US) or two stripes (Europe). Worn with braces.

Shoes - Black leather shoes, polished

It is common to wear medals, sashes or other decorations with white tie dress