Casual, Semi-formal, Formal . . . what's the difference?

I feel like I should know this, but I get the feeling I don't.

It doesn't help that until recently, the extent of my wardrobe was everyday "bum clothes" such as t-shirts and pants, and a suit. Nothing in between. That situation's been rectified, but I'm still not quite sure what's appropriate to wear and when.

Any help?

 

Casual = Khakis (jeans in some instances), sport jacket, nice clothing, etc.

Semi-Formal == Suit (possibly less, depending on area/location/time)

Formal == Black-tie

 

Casual - T-Shirt and regular pants (ie. jeans and cargo pants)

Semi-formal - Button-down shirt and slacks

Formal - Tuxedo type stuff.

And like that...he's gone.

 

Casual, Semi-formal, Formal . . . what's the difference?

state of arousal ?


p.s. for me it's jeans and shirt - pants and shirt - Highland Dress

 

Gym, washing the car, yard work= shorts, ratty shirt

Weekend errands, Hot day at the fair, or amusment park, ballgame of any sort=nice shorts and a polo shirt or something similar

Lunch= Casual
jeans, khakis, polo shirt, or button up. Clean shoes, no sneakers.

Evening Date=Dress Casual
Slacks, not jeans or khakis, polished shoes, button up shirt, or nice sweater.

 

If it requires more than a button-down shirt, it's not worth going to, just decline the invitation

 

The one that stumped me was "business casual." Being 20 at the time, i found it a tad puzzling, but now for me it just means nice pants and a nice shirt. Which means "don't dress up but don't look like crap"

 

Cotton pants are the line at business casual. You need to be in slacks.

No dockers, or old navy.

 

I only have two types of pants, "jeans" and "not jeans"

 

Basically casual is anything in sight, semi-professional/formal is polos or button down shirts with khakis (sometimes a tie with semi-proffesional), and formal is suit & tie. A tux would only be for a wedding or a special celebration.

 

This question calls for Johnny Depp's help! (Ok, maybe I just want to post more of his pics. )


Johnny Depp dressed casual for the 2003 Venice Film Festival.
[image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Psyche17/03venice001.jpg]




Johnny Depp dressed semi-formal for Oprah and the 2004 Venice Film Festival
[image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Psyche17/oprah006.jpg]
[image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Psyche17/04venice001.jpg]



Johnny Depp dressed formal for the 2004 Academy Awards
[image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Psyche17/04oscars07.jpg]


Is it all clear now?

 

lol, how Esperenzesque That said, he looks like a slob in the second semi-formal shot