Gala and holiday invitations start arriving in the autumn, and the dress code line at the bottom can cause more anxiety than the event itself. Here is what each one means in practice.

White Tie

The most formal code and the rarest. For men, a black tailcoat, white waistcoat, white bow tie and wing-collar shirt. For women, a floor-length evening gown. Gloves and formal jewelry are traditional. If you are invited to a white-tie event, the host will usually spell out the details.

Black Tie

For men, a dinner jacket (tuxedo) in black or midnight navy, a white dress shirt, a black bow tie and black patent or polished shoes. For women, a floor-length gown is the traditional answer; an elegant cocktail-length dress, a dressy jumpsuit or evening separates are now widely accepted at many events.

Creative or Festive Black Tie

The structure of black tie, with room for personality. A velvet dinner jacket in burgundy or green, a patterned bow tie, a metallic gown or a dramatic color. It is not an invitation to be casual. It is an invitation to be more interesting.

Black Tie Optional

The host will be in black tie and welcomes guests who are. For men, a dark suit with a tie is acceptable. For women, a cocktail dress or a long dress both work.

Cocktail

For men, a dark suit, with or without a tie depending on the event. For women, a dress at or around the knee, elegant separates or a dressy jumpsuit. Cocktail is the most common code of the holiday season and the most flexible.

When in Doubt

Ask the host, or err slightly dressier. It is always easier to remove a tie or a piece of jewelry than to be the most casual person in the room.

Shop the Edit

• Galvan London Sienna Satin Halter Gown in Black, Saks Fifth Avenue
• Galvan Strapless Metallic Satin Gown in Silver, Net-a-Porter
• Max Mara Satin Tuxedo Jumpsuit in Midnight Blue, Max Mara
• Alice + Olivia Sable Velvet Blazer in Dark Fern, Nordstrom
• Khaite Medow Crepe Midi Dress, Net-a-Porter
• Jennifer Behr Blaine Statement Earrings, Neiman Marcus