What to wear to an awards ceremony: Congratulations! You’ve been nominated for an award, and you’re probably in the process of gearing up for the big event. Check out what to wear to an awards ceremony for work and what to wear to business awards ceremony. No matter what kind of award you’re receiving—whether it’s a prestigious award, like a Grammy or an Oscar, or a more local or personal one—there are some things that are always true: there will be cameras, there will be press members, and there will be other people who have also been nominated. That means that if you want to look your best on the red carpet, you’ll need to do your research. When you’re invited to an awards ceremony, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of what to wear. You want to look your best, but you also don’t want to be overdressed. It’s a delicate balance! Here are some tips on how to dress for an awards ceremony:

What to Wear to an Awards Ceremony

You’ve been nominated for an award! Congratulations—it’s an honor, and you’ve earned it.

But now what? What should you wear to the awards ceremony?

The first thing to do is ask yourself what kind of award it is. Is it a business award, or a more personal one? Is it related to your career? Or something totally different? These questions will help guide your decision on what to wear.

If it’s a business-related award, we’d recommend sticking with something classic and timeless. If you’re going to be sitting down at tables with other people, try a nice suit or dress. If you’re going to be standing up for most of the event, try wearing something that looks nice but won’t make you feel restricted—like a dress with some flare at the bottom so you can move around easily.

If it’s not related to your career (for example: if you won an award for being the best athlete in school), then anything goes! Have fun with it! Try something new! Be bold and brave!

The awards season is in full swing, and we all know what that means: it’s time to find a dress!

Whether you’re going to the Golden Globes, the Oscars, or any other red carpet event, it’s important to choose an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with our guide to what to wear to an awards ceremony.

We’ll help you navigate the tricky waters of deciding how formal your look should be (and what exactly “formal” means), as well as which brands are best for different body types. We’ll also show you how to put together a killer ensemble that will make everyone who sees your photo wish they could be as stylish as you are.

When it comes to awards ceremonies, the dress code is typically pretty straightforward: either black-tie or business casual. But what if you’re attending an event that doesn’t fit into either category?

That’s where we come in. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite looks from red carpet events and award shows that can help you find a style that works for your personality—and makes you feel like a winner!

Congratulations! You’ve been nominated for an award. Now what?

You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and you deserve to be recognized for all your hard work. But now that you have been nominated, it’s time to make sure you’re the best-dressed person in the room—because this is a big deal!

So how do you look like a winner at an award ceremony? We’ve got all the tips and tricks you need below.

You know that feeling when you’re about to go to an award ceremony and you’ve just realized that you have no idea what to wear? No worries! We’ve got you covered.

We’ve put together a list of what not to wear, as well as some other tips to help you nail your look.

As a professional working in the fashion industry, you know that the way you dress can have a significant impact on how your clients see you.

When it comes to awards ceremonies and other events where you’re being recognized for your accomplishments, it’s important to keep this in mind. You want to look like the person who was nominated for an award—and if they’re dressed up, so should you!

But what does “dressed up” mean? What should you wear? And how do you know if it’s appropriate for the event? Read on for our guide to dressing for an awards ceremony.

If the event was being held at night, however, ladies would wear floor-length evening gowns or knee-length cocktail dresses with matching pumps and fashionable accessories. Men would stick with traditional colored suits like black, navy, gray, and tan with matching button-up shirts and comfortable dress shoes.

what to wear to an awards ceremony for work

Employees are the real MVPs in business. They come to work every day to help business owners reach their goals. If not for their skills, expertise, hard work, and dedication, providing customers/clients with quality products and services would be impossible. That’s why many business owners go the extra mile to reward their team for a job well done.

PUBLIC RECOGNITION GOES A LONG WAY

There are both small and large things that employers can do to show their employees some appreciation. However, none seem to resonate better than public recognition for their efforts. Hosting an employee appreciation awards ceremony is a fantastic way to recognize your employees and their talents to those that mean the most to them.

WHAT TO WEAR

Whether you’re an employer, the chosen host for the event, or an award recipient, deciding what to wear to the employee appreciation ceremony can cause some confusion. Though you’re off the clock (and likely not on in the workplace), you want to make sure that you dress appropriately for the event. If this happens to be your dilemma right now, here are some fashion tips to help you out.

CHECK THE INVITATION

Deciding what to wear to the employee appreciation awards ceremony might be easier than you thought. This is especially true if the event has a dress code or provides clues for you. It may be requested that the guests dress for a black-tie event, wear a certain color, or dress according to a certain theme (i.e. 1920’s, masquerade ball, etc). So, before you get stressed out, read the invitation to see if there are guidelines you need to follow.

KEEP IT CLASSY

Though it is an after-hours event and you’re officially off the clock, you shouldn’t go too extreme with your attire. After all, it is still a business-related event. Therefore, wearing things that are too provocative, revealing, or tight should be avoided at all costs. It’s best to keep it classy when deciding what to wear to the ceremony.

BLACK IS TIMELESS

If you want to wear something that is timeless and classic, you can’t go wrong with the color black. Gentlemen will look dapper dressed in an all-black tuxedo, a black bowtie, a white or black button-up shirt, and a pair of snazzy black dress shoes. Ladies can look equally as stunning in an all-black evening gown paired with some black pumps or strappy sandals and bedazzled jewels for accessories.

DRESS FOR THE TIME

When is the awards ceremony being held? This can be a huge indicator of what you should wear to the event. For instance, if it was a brunch or lunchtime event, going with business casual fashions seems best. This would mean pencil point skirts and matching blazers, printed knee-length spring dresses and cardigans, or a business pantsuit for women. Guys, on the other hand, would opt for lightweight suits, ties, and loafers, dress pants, a button-up, and a cardigan or sweater vest, or a nice pair of khaki pants and a polo shirt.

SPOTLIGHT ON YA

If you’re the MC, an award presenter, or a guest speaker, the spotlight will be on you for a better part of the night. With all the eyes watching you in the audience along with the flashes of cameras snapping and recording, you want to dress to impress. Keeping the above fashion tips in mind, go the extra mile to make your outfit stand out. Ladies might add some personal style by wearing statement jewelry or going with a bold pair of shoes to add a pop of color to their attire. Fellas might flex with a fancy watch, stunning cufflinks, a bold tie and handkerchief, and some snazzy footwear.

It is both an honor and a privilege to receive an award for the hard work you’ve put in each day in the workplace. As an invited guest to such an event, it’s only right that you want to look your best. The above-mentioned fashion tips should be a great start in helping you to narrow down your options so you can turn heads while giving/receiving thanks for a job well done.

What to wear to an awards banquet dinner

The awards banquet dinner is the perfect opportunity to showcase your personal style. You’ll be surrounded by industry leaders, so it’s important to dress to impress. The best way to do that is by investing in quality attire that fits your individual taste, and making sure you’re comfortable—because if you’re not comfortable, it will show in your smile and body language.

Award banquets are a time for celebration. You work hard, and you’re being recognized for it. But what should you wear?

Men should wear suits, but not necessarily jackets and ties. Formal: Women should wear longer cocktail length dresses or full length and men should wear a complete suit with a tie. Black Tie: Black tie is very formal attire. Women should wear full-length dresses or gowns and men should wear a complete tuxedo.

What to wear to business awards ceremony

You’ve got your tickets to the [awards ceremony] in your hand, and you’re ready to go. But what are you going to wear?

If it’s your first time at an awards ceremony, we can’t stress enough how important it is that you don’t overdress. You don’t want to look like a fool or feel uncomfortable, so take these tips into consideration when picking out your outfit:

1) Stick to a basic color palette. If you’re not sure what colors work best together, ask yourself what colors look good on you—and then stay away from those!

2) Make sure everything fits well. If something doesn’t fit right, it can make you feel uncomfortable—and that will show in your performance!

3) Don’t wear anything too tight or too loose; it’s better to be snug than baggy!

What is the Proper Attire for a Banquet?

The proper attire for different functions can be a puzzle. While dress codes have relaxed somewhat, there are still certain considerations, and we don’t want to be embarrassed by wearing the wrong thing. For banquets, the dress is dictated by the formality of the occasion.

Formal

Yolanda Zaragoza Cano/Demand Media

Some dinners and banquets are formal affairs. For these occasions it is appropriate for women to wear long evening dresses. A shorter dress is also appropriate but should cover the knees. Take care that your dress is comfortable to sit in, as that is what you will be doing for the majority of the banquet. Men should wear a coat and tie.

Business

For business dinners and banquets, women may wear two-piece suits with pants or skirts. If wearing a skirt, it may fall above the knee or slightly below the knee. If the skirt falls above the knee, it should be modest and not rise above mid-thigh when seated. For men, a sport coat or jacket and tie are recommended.

Informal

For an informal banquet, casual attire is acceptable. Depending on the occasion, women might wear a nice dress or casual pantsuit. For men, khaki slacks, shirt and sport coat are appropriate.

What to Wear to the Ballet

Your ticket to the ballet might not come with a dress code, but that doesn’t mean dressing for the occasion has to be confusing. Dressing up rather than dressing down is a chic and smart way to attend the ballet. After all, you don’t want to show up in jeans when your fellow ballet-goers are styled in cocktail dresses and suits. While ballet companies or performance halls, including the Kennedy Center, typically do not dictate a specific dress code, several dress code styles are safe choices for this event. You’ll be appropriately dressed in business casual attire, cocktail looks and even formal clothes. Attending the ballet is typically regarded as a dressy event, so your attire should reflect the formality of the occasion. Consider two factors to determine how formally you should dress for the ballet.

Time of day. A matinee show is more casual than an evening performance. Afternoon affairs may call for business casual attire, while evening performances may require cocktail or formal looks.
Type of event. Ballet performances vary in terms of their formality. A local production put on by high school students is less formal than a holiday performance of The Nutcracker by an internationally renowned traveling company, for example.

Choose from a range of appropriate and stylish options for an afternoon or evening at the ballet. For less formal afternoon performances, opt for dressy slacks or a pencil skirt and a silk blouse. You can pair this look with a shall or blazer for fall and winter performances. Pumps or ballet flats are appropriate shoes for these looks. For evening shows, don’t be afraid to pull that cocktail dress out of your closet

A little black dress is always a classic look and can be spiced up with a bold statement necklace, beaded clutch or colorful heels. Or use the occasion to have some fun in a knee-length taffeta or chiffon dress. For special events (like opening night or a gala performance), a floor-length silk or satin gown is appropriate.

Dapper Styles for Him

When dressing for the ballet as a guy, create an appropriate look by combining a blazer, shirt and pants. This clothing combination can be dressed up or down depending on the formality of the performance. More casual events call for a pair of chinos or khaki pants, paired with a long-sleeved, button-down shirt and a blazer. Ties are always acceptable but not required. When wearing this business casual look, you may choose to ditch the blazer, especially if you’re attending the ballet when the weather is warm. Dressier events require a suit and tie. Evening performances call for a dark suit—preferably black, dark gray or brown—and a conservative shirt and tie. For holiday ballet performances, consider a twist on the classic suit by adding a festive—but not over-the-top—tie or colorful shirt. Choose patent leather, lace-up shoes for formal suits and leather loafers for more casual attire.

From a corporate gala or charity fundraiser to an evening wedding, formal events vary in type. Likewise, formal attire encompasses a range of distinct dress codes, so understanding the differences among these dress codes is essential. Choosing the right outfit on the broad spectrum of formal attire ensures you’ll enjoy the event without ever second-guessing your outfit.

Levels of Formality

Understanding the dress codes defined broadly as formalwear helps you determine what attire is most appropriate for your event.

White tie is the most formal dress code. Men wear tuxedos featuring a black jacket with tails, white bow tie and optional white vest. Women opt for floor-length evening gowns in dark colors.

Black tie calls for men to wear a black tuxedo jacket and black bow tie with an optional cummerbund or vest. Dressy cocktail dresses, along with the classic floor-length evening gowns, are appropriate for women.

Black tie optional is a notch below black tie, meaning men can wear black tuxedos or dark suits. Cocktail dresses are the typical choice for women.

Factors to Consider

The event specifics dictate the type of formal attire you should wear.

Dress code — Check the invitation to determine if your host specified a formalwear dress code, which can guide your attire choices. Event time — Evening events are typically more formal than daytime ones, so an evening event calls for more formal attire, such as black tie. Event location — The event location gives you a hint of the level of formality. A gala in an upscale ballroom will likely be more formal than an outdoor garden wedding, for example.

Formal Looks for Men

Because formal dress codes vary, men have several choices when choosing the right outfit for the occasion.

Tuxedos should be paired with a starched and pleated shirt. White or black bow ties are appropriate, depending on the dress code. If the event’s dress code is creative black tie, a patterned bow tie, non-white shirt or patterned vest or cummerbund is appropriate.

Dark suits with conservative button-down shirts and ties are acceptable for formal events not specified as white tie or black tie.

Well-cared-for leather shoes pair well with formal outfits. Wear patent leather shoes with a tuxedo.

Feminine Styles

Women can choose either gowns or separates depending on the formality of the occasion.

Floor-length evening gowns should feature a dressy fabric, such as taffeta or satin. Choose dark colored evening gowns in hues of black, navy and gray for evening affairs. Daytime events during warm months call for lightweight but luxurious fabrics such as silk chiffon or silk crepe.

Knee-length cocktail dresses or the classic little black dress are also appropriate for formal occasions. For black tie optional events, dressy separates are another choice — for example, women can pair a silk blouse with well-tailored pants and a pair of pumps.

How to Dress for a ‘Black Tie Optional’ Event

A “black tie optional” dress code calls for formal attire. While attire may be slightly more casual than a “black tie” affair, some overlap in appropriate dress exists when comparing black tie and black tie optional events. Both men and women have multiple options for black tie optional outfits.

Evaluating the Dress Code

A black tie optional dress code may be clearly stated on the invitation to the event. Other events, however, may require some sleuthing to determine if black tie optional attire is preferred. Other factors can guide your dress decisions:

Type of event: Weddings, galas, fundraisers and other charity events may call for black tie optional attire.
Time of day: Evening events are decidedly more formal than afternoon ones, so a later start time may indicate a black tie optional attire.

Options for Guys

Men have two options when dressing for a black tie optional affair.

A tuxedo is appropriate for these events. Opt for a black tuxedo jacket with a pleated white shirt, black bow tie and black vest or cummerbund.

If you don’t own a tuxedo or don’t want to rent one, you’re in luck. A dark suit is also appropriate for a black tie optional dress code — appropriate colors include black, dark gray and navy. Wear a white dress shirt with a simple, muted tie to complete the black tie optional look.

Formal Wear for Gals

Like men, women have several options when dressing for this type of black tie affair. A floor-length evening gown would serve as the most formal option for this event and would pair well with a man who opts for a tuxedo. While women may choose dark colors such as black and navy, bolder colors, such as emerald, magenta and aqua, are also appropriate.

Cocktail dresses that hit around the knees also work for black tie optional events, as is the classic little black dress. Dressy separates, such as a well-tailored pair of slacks and a silk blouse, are also appropriately formal.

Black Tie Optional Accessories

Both men and women can complete their black tie optional look with the right accessories.

Men should wear dark leather shoes with their suits or tuxes, along with a coordinating leather belt and dark dress socks.

Women can add a touch of sparkle and embellishment to their attire with jewelry, such as chandelier earrings, a pearl necklace or a diamond or gemstone bracelet. High heels, both pumps and open-toe heels, complement dresses of all lengths.

Difference Between Casual and Casual Elegant Dress Code

any have similar sounding names, and there is no standard database that can be used to define them. The difference between “casual” attire and “casual elegant” attire may seem small, but the two attire suggestions are actually very different.

Casual Dress Decoded

Definitions of casual dress vary widely. In general, it is best to gauge what will or won’t make for appropriate casual attire by the type of event you are attending, location and who will be joining you. While brightly colored shorts and a tank top may be appropriate for an afternoon beach party that calls for casual attire, they should probably be avoided for an evening dinner with your boss.

Casual Clothing Options

According to Emily Post, khakis and jeans can be worn to events that suggest casual attire; however, extremely worn jeans or those with holes should be avoided. Women can wear long or short skirts; and if the weather permits shorts may even be appropriate for certain events. Plain T-shirts are acceptable; but those with slogans should be avoided. A polo shirt or a button down is a safer bet than a T-shirt in most instances. In the winter, turtlenecks or heavy sweaters can be worn.

Casual Elegant Dress Decoded

Casual elegant attire can be imagined as a dressed-up version of your normal casual wear. While it may be easy to confuse this type of dressing with business casual attire, casual elegant outfits allow for more customization and flair. Women are free to experiment with bold colors or playful jewelry, while men can wear sport coats or suits in unconventional colors like tan or navy.

Casual Elegant Clothing Options

According to College New, for affairs that suggest casual elegant attire, men should leave their jeans at home and stick to dark-colored formal slacks. These can be paired with a button down and a tie, or a sport coat. Cuff links are a nice addition to a men’s casual elegant look. Women should either wear a formal pants suit or a dark-colored dress. The dress can be long or short, depending on the season and the location of the event. If it’s an evening event, women can add a shawl to their ensemble.