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Niki
Master June 2016

Semi.... casual attire as a guest? What does it mean?

Niki, on May 17, 2018 at 9:26 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 23

Well, i thought i had this down pretty pat after our wedding, but i was mistaken.

Hubby and i have a wedding coming up of one of his friends. The wedding will be outdoors at a sprawling new england manor on the coast. Its a large wedding according to my husband, about 200 people, on the estate's lawn on a saturday evening.

The invite says.. attire: semi casual. ive heard of casual... ive heard semi formal, formal, black tie, etc.... but semi casual is a new one. What does it mean? Is it the same thing as semi formal? Is it some odd, unspecific middle ground between casual and semi formal? What the heck do we wear?

Googling this topic offered no definitive answer, so I'm turning to WW for help.

23 Comments

Latest activity by Rosa, on November 29, 2018 at 11:08 AM
  • Tara
    Master September 2018
    Tara ·
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    Id assume its the same as semi formal. In the middle of casual and formal
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  • T
    Expert September 2018
    Tia_Fred ·
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    I would say in the middle of casual and form
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  • A
    Dedicated June 2019
    AtoK ·
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    Can you ask the couple what they are expecting? Just checking in because the manor may have some light standards.
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  • muriel
    Champion June 2018
    muriel ·
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    I would choose semi formal. It is always better to be over dressed, than under dressed.

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  • Miaaa
    Super January 2018
    Miaaa ·
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    I'd probably wear a dress on the fancier side- since it's outdoors maybe something floral or "spring" colored, but no more than knee or tea length.

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  • AQuixoticBride
    VIP July 2018
    AQuixoticBride ·
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    I haven't heard this one, but sounds maybe "dressy casual" to me, which I think is a dumb term. I would likely wear a knee length sheath type dress or even maxi dress possibly cotton in a darker color if it's evening and some wedges.
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  • E
    Super June 2018
    Erica ·
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    I think it mean semi formal
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  • T
    Super December 2018
    T P ·
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    Semi- casual implies nice casual wear, so think of sundresses and pearls or khakis and blazers. I encourage you to avoid jeans- even nice, well-pressed jeans- and athletic shoes of any kind. Imagine a photo of the 1950s.
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  • Swtnss238
    VIP May 2019
    Swtnss238 ·
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    I dont think its semi formal at all. I wouldnt wear sandals to semi formal. But i would with a nice sundress to semi casual.
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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    I'd think that means semi formal, but a little more casual? Haha! Like jeans and a button down for men? And a sundress for women? I would assume sandals are okay for women, and cowboy boots or other boots are okay for men. That is confusing though!

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  • SB
    VIP March 2019
    SB ·
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    I always prefer to be overdressed than underdressed, so I would probably wear a nice dress with heels/wedges, etc. and hubby could wear either slacks with a nice button down or even include a sport coat.

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  • E'Delana
    Devoted July 2018
    E'Delana ·
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    Overdressed is better than underdressed! I've never heard of semi-casual either.

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  • MrsV1027
    Master October 2018
    MrsV1027 ·
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    I would go with a nice summer dress and nice shoes that you can wear in grass

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  • Jen
    VIP July 2018
    Jen ·
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    To me, semi-casual would be a nice sundress and sandals

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  • Summer
    Super August 2018
    Summer ·
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    I've never heard of this - I would probably treat it the same as cocktail or semi-formal (for both of these I always just go with a sundress or cocktail dress - for your H I would suggest a collared button down shirt and slacks, probably no tie or coat is required).

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  • ISaidHallYes
    VIP November 2018
    ISaidHallYes ·
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    Never heard of it but I would wear a long cotton summer dress and sandals.

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  • Lisa
    Devoted October 2018
    Lisa ·
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    Sounds like cocktail casual attire. So a nicer dress and sandles or a low heel and dress pants, nice button down and dress shoes.
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  • NVV2B
    VIP January 2019
    NVV2B ·
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    I would show up in a nice sundress with wedges, and have my FH wear chinos, a button up collared shirt with a sports coat.

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  • PBiazinha
    VIP May 2018
    PBiazinha ·
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    Like PP said, I prefer to be overdressed than underdressed. I would treat this as semi-formal. Still an evening event so even if you are overly dressed it will be appropriate.

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  • R
    Rosa ·
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    Semi formal to me is not casual. formal is formal, so semi is in between. if you live in texas, everyone wants to wear swagged new bluejeans, oversized pull over shirts and high top tennis shoes. the women want to wear dressed shorts with tank top shirts and also high top tennis shoes or flip flops. disgusting. Do we actually have to describe "Semi-formal " to everyone.

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