Journal

Short answers to common guest etiquette questions, and pieces timed to prom and wedding season.

Etiquette

Can you wear black to a wedding?

Yes, at formal and evening weddings from cocktail attire up to white tie. Choose another color by day, at casual weddings, and at Hindu or Chinese weddings.

Dress codes

Cocktail attire vs semi formal: what is the difference?

Cocktail attire sits a little dressier, with room for satin, sequins and bold color; semi-formal attire favors a softer midi or knee-length dress and a suit.

Fit

Dress size conversion: US, UK, EU and more explained

A US 8 is a UK and Australian 12, an EU 38, a French 40 and an Italian 44. Use the chart as a rule of thumb, then let your measurements decide.

Fit

Dresses for your body type: choose by effect, not label

Skip body-type labels. Pick the effect you want, such as a defined waist, a long line or room to dance, and the right silhouette follows from there.

Bridal

How to choose a wedding dress: start with the wedding

Fix the venue, season and formality first, then pick a silhouette such as an A-line or sheath, and order a made-to-order gown six to nine months out.

Bridal party

How to do mismatched bridesmaid dresses

Mismatched bridesmaid dresses work when one thing stays fixed, such as a shared floor length, a matte chiffon fabric family or a single seasonal palette.

Fit

How to measure for a dress and read a size chart

Measure bust, waist and hips with a soft tape in the underwear you'll wear, then order the size your largest number needs; a tailor takes in the rest.

Prom

Prom dress colors: how to choose a shade you love

Any color works at prom. Sapphire, emerald and metallics glow under ballroom light, a black prom dress reads formal, and matching a date is optional.

Glossary

Types of dresses: every dress name explained

Fifteen dress silhouettes, from A-line to drop waist, plus eight hem lengths from mini to floor-length and the occasion dresses built from them.

Etiquette

What colors not to wear to a wedding as a guest

Skip white, ivory, cream, champagne and the bridal party's color; black, bright red and daytime sequins depend on the time, the formality and the culture.

Dress codes

What does black tie optional mean?

A tuxedo is welcome, not required: men can wear a dark suit and tie, and women can choose a floor-length gown, an elegant midi or a dressy cocktail dress.

Prom

What to wear to prom: dresses, suits and timing

A floor-length or midi dress, or a dark suit or tuxedo, in a formal cut you can dance in. Check the school's rules and theme first, then order early.