What to wear to a gala dinner?
get to get dressed up to the nines and head out in all of our finery. However, this can sometimes be a stressful time for guests of an event, firstly understanding the dress code and then seeing what is even in the wardrobe that suits this.
It’s a really important aspect to consider when you are planning your own gala event; what you set as the dress code can both attract some people but also discourage and prove too difficult for others.
When beginning your planning process, just like I suggest in my event strategy blueprint, it’s incredibly important first to understand who is in the room, and what their likes and dislikes are.
If your event is targeted at people who frequent gala balls and have a wardrobe full-on gowns or tuxedos, then attending an event like this is going to be a lot less overwhelming and expensive than targeting a group of people who have never bought or worn a tuxedo in their life.
What are the possible dress codes?
Black Tie Event:
This is the most common option for a gala ball and requires a formal evening gown or a shorter cocktail dress for the women and a dinner suit or tuxedo for the men.
White Tie Event:
This is the most formal option of all dress codes for galas. Women wear formal floor-length ball gowns, whilst the men are expected to wear a black tail coat, white waistcoat and a bow tie. This dress code isn’t as popular as not many people own clothing at this level.
Cocktail Attire
This dress code is more casual than the above two and requires guests to wear a shorter cocktail dress or even a dressy skirt and top, while the men can wear a jacket and pants or a nice suit and tie.
What dress code should I pick?
- Think about who will be in the room
As we mentioned before, you have to think about your guests and their access to such items. If the dress code is too difficult or becomes too much of a barrier for attending, your guests won’t come. Think about what they are likely to already have access to in their wardrobe.
2. Where are you hosting the gala ball?
What does the venue look like, if it’s a run-down shack, black tie probably isn’t going to work with this venue. Have a look at other events that have been hosted in the space. A venue like a rooftop bar is going to suggest more of a cocktail-style dress code than a black tie.
3. Inside versus outside
Is it a sweltering hot summer, and are you hosting your event outside? Think about the comfort of your guests, a white tie with tails and a bow tie isn’t going to be the most comfortable option for your guests standing in the hot sun whilst it sets.
4. Access to the venue
Think about your guests getting access to the actual venue. Do they need to travel far? Do they need to walk a long distance from being dropped off? If your guests need to trek a long distance, think about something a bit more casual that will be more comfortable for them.
What can you do as an event organiser to help your guests?
- Make sure you give everyone lots of time to get their outfits ready by putting ticket sales on early in the planning process. The more time your guests have to plan, the easier it will be
- Make sure you are clear about the dress code on the invitation. Never assume that just because it is a ball, everyone will expect it to be a black tie. Not including a clear dress code can confuse some guests and make the process more stressful than it needs to be.
- Post photos from previous years if you have some. This will help guests get a feel for what is acceptable for the event.
- Have fun! Be sure to encourage fun and creativity with your guests; there is never a one-size-fits-all (pardon the pun) rule when it comes to gala events.
Final Thoughts
Whilst picking a dress code may seem like such a simple easy task when you start to plan your gala dinner, it is actually a lot more complicated. This simple task really can be one of the biggest factors in determining if your event is successful or not.
If you’re thinking a gala event is for you and your product or service, but need some help with brand activation ideas, reach out! We would love to chat and see how we can help, get in contact today.
