You've received an invitation to a formal event. The invitation does not leave any hint to what you should be wearing. So what do you do? Well, here the Style Council present you with some clues.

Swedish invitations
The dress code varies somewhat from country to country, this is the Swedish version.

Dress suit (Frack)
If the invitation does not state what to wear or if it reads formal dress (högtidsdräkt) you should wear a dress suit. Most commonly used at academic parties and at weddings. Ladies will wear an ankle-length dress and long gloves.

SHIRT: White hard-chested dress suit shirt with a high collar and collar wings.
BOW TIE: White
VEST: White
CUFFLINKS: Elegant, black at funerals
SHOES & SOCKS: Black shoes, preferrably patent leather shoes. Always black socks.


Smoking
The smoking is less formal evening wear than the dress suit. To accompany the tuxedo, ladies will wear an evening gown or, if in fashion, trousers and a top.

COLOURS: Black or blue. White jacket can be worn in summer together with black trousers. The trousers have side stripes on them.
CUMMERBUND: Most common these days, vest is also an option.
SHIRT: White shirt with an upright collar with folded wings or alternatively with a soft collar.
BOW TIE: Black (the use of colours only has a matching purpose, depending on the colour your partner is wearing)
SHOES & SOCKS: Black shoes and black socks.

Jacket (Kavaj)
If the invitation card says Jacket it means that you should wear a dark suit. In the summer you are allowed to wear a lighter suit. Jacket is a notion with many variations. Ladies should wear festive dresses, however neither with bare shoulders nor ankle-length ones.

COLOURS: Blue, black or dark grey. The more formal the party, the darker the suit.
SHIRT: Preferrably white, but other colours can be used.
TIE: Tie or bow tie
SHOES & SOCKS: Black shoes and black socks.

Jaquette
An alternative to the dress suit. More common at elegant morning parties or at morning or dinnertime weddings. Ladies wear an elegant morning dress e.g. a high cut silk dress that is not evening-wear like.

TROUSERS: Grey and black stripe and a black long coat.
SHIRT: White
VEST: Grey scarf or plastron.
SHOES & SOCKS: Black or grey