What to Wear to a Frat Formal

What do the dress codes mean on a frat formal invitation?

The dress code on the invitation tells you what to wear, and the three you'll see most on formal invitations mean different things:

Semi-formal sits between office wear and a formal event: more formal than what you'd wear to work, slightly less formal than black tie.[1] If the invitation just says "formal," ask the social chair what they mean. Until you hear back, dress for black-tie optional.

What should you wear in a suit or tux look?

Dress to the code, then get the fit right — a well-fitted dark suit looks better than a tuxedo that doesn't fit.

• Black tie: a tuxedo jacket and matching trousers with a formal white shirt[2], finished with a bow tie and polished dress shoes.
• Black-tie optional: a tuxedo if you have one, otherwise a dark suit with a white dress shirt and a conservative tie.[1]
• Semi-formal: a dark business suit, a dress shirt and a tie, with leather dress shoes and dark socks.[1]

Try the whole outfit on — shoes included — a week before, while there's still time to fix the hem or buy the missing piece.

What should you wear in a dress look?

Choose the length and fabric from the dress code, then plan for a long night on your feet.

• Black tie: a floor-length evening gown, a dressy cocktail dress or your dressiest little black dress.[2]
• Black-tie optional: a formal evening gown, a shorter cocktail dress or dressy separates.[1]
• Semi-formal: a short afternoon or cocktail dress, a little black dress or dressy separates.[1]

Bring a layer for the bus and the walk from the venue, a small bag that holds your ID and phone, and a second pair of shoes if yours aren't made for dancing.

Are frat formal dresses long or short?

Both, depending on the dress code. Black tie is where floor-length gowns belong, though a dressy cocktail dress also works.[2] Black-tie optional allows a gown or a shorter cocktail dress. At semi-formal, short is the standard: an afternoon or cocktail dress.[1]

Within the code, let the venue and the plan decide. Long dresses and bus steps, city blocks and dance floors take more care — choose a hem you can move in.

What should you wear for a destination formal?

Pack for the city's weather, not your campus's. Here are the average high and low temperatures at each city's airport for common formal months, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals:

Averages hide the extremes, so check the forecast the week before you pack. For cold cities, plan a real coat you can leave at a coat check. For warm, humid ones, lighter fabrics wear better. Our city guides cover more: New Orleans, Nashville and Chicago.

What should you pack for the whole weekend?

A destination formal is usually more than one event, so pack by the itinerary:

• The formal outfit, in a garment bag, with the shoes and accessories that go with it
• Daytime clothes for travel and any group activities
• One smart-casual outfit for a group dinner or a second night out
• Comfortable shoes for walking, plus the formal pair
• A layer or coat that suits the city's weather
• Your ID, phone charger and any medication
• A small repair kit: safety pins, stain remover and blister bandages

Check the itinerary for each event's dress code, and ask the social chair if anything's unclear before you leave.