What to wear to four different occasions

Whether you like it or not, what you wear says a lot about you. But different occasions require different clothing. And if you want to make the right impression, you need to dress for the occasion. There are numerous occasion wear outfits available that not only highlights are good points, but help you make a good impression as well.

Here are some tips on what to wear and what to avoid for four different occasions:

First date:

What you wear on a first date depends on a few things. Remember, how you dress on a first date makes a statement about who you are, and first impressions always count. You want to emphasise your personality to your date, but you also don’t want to reveal too much. You want to dress to impress, not scare away.

First dates are not the place to make bold fashion statements. Consider these questions when preparing for a first date:

* Where are you going?
* What time of day is it going to be?
* Is it formal or casual?
* What season is it?

What to wear:

* Wear something comfortable and venue and age appropriate
* Keep jewellery to a minimum – you don’t want to seem too flashy or cheap
* Minimal make up always makes the right impression – it shows that you are comfortable with your looks and approachable
* Go easy on the perfume/cologne
* Don’t try too hard – wearing the latest, most trendy fashion styles will do nothing to impress your potential suitor

Funeral:

Traditionally, funerals are a place of mourning, meaning all black attire is expected. But these days funerals are becoming less about mourning a death, but more about celebrating the life the deceased had. More and more people are opting for personalised funerals, wearing items that reflected the deceased in some way. That being said, there are still some general rules that you should stick to, regardless on the type of funeral it is. At the end of the day, you want to show respect to the deceased and bereaved.

For men – Men should generally wear a suit. A black suit is best, but grey or navy are also appropriate. Ideally, you should wear a collared shirt and tie.

For women – A dress or skirt and blouse in black or neutral colours is the most appropriate funeral attire. However, it is also fine to wear a suit. When wearing a suit, the same rules apply as with men (except for the tie of course).

Basically, the colours you choose should be conservative and professional. Black is always appropriate, as well as grey, navy and other neutral colours. This is a time to be respectful and reserved – you don’t want to draw attention to yourself. So not wear anything too bright, especially in summer, and don’t dress too flashy.

Wedding

A wedding is a time when you can really wear special occasion wear. But deciding exactly what to wear can be difficult. You want to look good and presentable, but you don’t want to upstage the bride or groom.

Read the invitation – this should give you a clue as to the theme and tone of the wedding. A beach or outdoor wedding requires more casual attire, but still in keeping with the tone of the occasion. An evening wedding generally means black-tie.

Take the weather into count – Weather can usually make or break your outfit. Find out if it is an indoor or outside wedding and reception, and plan accordingly. If it is an outdoor wedding, search online for a 7 day weather update so you have an idea of what type of outfit you should wear.

Women, as always, have far more options when it comes to dressing for a wedding. Dresses, skirts and dress suits are always a good option. In the colder months, dark, somber colours are appropriate, while summer requires something lighter. However, stay away from bold, overly bright colours that can detract attention from the blushing bride.

Wedding attire don’ts for women:

* Don’t wear white – you will be competing with the bride
* Don’t wear black or anything flashy and sparkly for a day wedding
* Don’t wear clothes that are too revealing or overtly sexy
* Don’t wear opera length gloves unless you are wearing a strapless or sleeveless gown

For men:

* Don’t wear a tuxedo to a daytime wedding. Stick to a suit in a neutral colour
* Don’t try to be cute or creative with your suit or tux – fancy cufflinks or flashy ties are cute, but inappropriate for a wedding. Remember, less is always more

Job interview:

When it comes to going for a job interview, many people underestimate the power of first impressions. This is a potential employer, so you want to make the best impression. Besides your glowing CV, your employer will notice your clothing and make his decision on how you present yourself. Regardless of the position you are applying for, you need to look professional.

Professional/office position:

If you are applying for an office position, you should be dressed in a suit with a coordinated long-sleeved shirt or blouse, conservative shoes, and decent hairstyle and limited jewellery, make-up and perfume/aftershave.

Non-professional job:

This includes jobs in a store or in a restaurant. Business attire is usually appropriate here as well, although not as formal. Regardless, you still need to be neat, well-groomed and presentable to impress your potential employee.

What not to wear:

* Flip flops, shorts, jeans
* Underwear that is visible
* Skirts that are too short
* Pants that are too low or too tight
* Blouses that are to low cut or too short

Author bio:

This article was written for Gray and Osbourn and offers tips on occasion wear for various events and situations.