ANNEX F

Attire Guidance

Very Formal Occasions (White Tie). Occasionally, a very formal evening event (after 8 p.m.) will require full dress evening wear specified as “white tie.” This is very seldom worn except by flag officers or those in the diplomatic corps. When required, white tie is worn to evening dances, weddings, dinners, receptions, and on state occasions.

White Tie
Military: Formal Dress Uniform
Civilian:
       Gentlemen – a tailcoat with matching trousers, a white waistcoat, wing collared shirt and white bow tie.
       Ladies – very formal evening gowns.

Formal Occasions

Daytime. For a formal daytime function such as a wedding in which civilian would wear cutaways, the following applies:

-- Military: seasonally appropriate Service Dress Uniform.
-- Civilian ladies dress appropriately to the occasion as styles dictate.

Evening. The attire specified for a formal evening function is “Black Tie.” This maybe worn to formal events after 6 p.m. such as dinners, receptions, dances, or weddings.

-- Military: seasonally appropriate Dinner Dress Jacket Uniform.
-- Civilian:
       Gentlemen – dinner jackets and tuxedos.
       Ladies – formal evening attire

Ceremonial Occasions. For occasions of state, ceremonies, solemnities, parades and reviews, military personnel participating wear the seasonally appropriate ceremonial uniform. In general, guests wear the seasonally appropriate Service Dress Uniform. Civilian men generally wear business suits and ladies wear a dress appropriate to the occasion, as styles dictate.

Informal Occasions. Business and informal occasions in the afternoon such as luncheons, receptions or dinners will call for “Informal Attire” or “Civilian Informal.”*

Military seasonally appropriate Service Dress Uniform
Civilian:
       Gentlemen – business suits (dark subdued suit with tie and can include three piece suits as well).
       Ladies – dress appropriately to the occasion as style dictates (business suit or a dressy, street length or “Sunday” dress).

*NOTE: Coat and Tie differs from Civilian Informal in that gentlemen would wear a sports jacket or blazer with color-coordinated slacks and tie and ladies would wear an appropriate dress or a dressy slacks outfit as styles dictate.

When an invitation is received from an outside agency listing the attire as “Business” attire, clarification of the attire should be made with that organization. Some organizations use coat and tie as business attire and others use suit.

Casual Occasions. Casual functions such as picnics, barbecues, sporting events, etc., will call for “casual attire” or “civilian casual.” A gentleman’s attire may range from an open collar shirt or sweater to a sports coat, but no tie. For ladies, any suitable casual wear such as any casual dress, slacks, pants suit, blouses, and long or short skirts would be appropriate.

Miscellaneous. Retired military personnel, not on active duty, may wear the prescribed uniform to military functions as considered appropriate. Such occasions may include commissioning ceremonies, military weddings, or receptions in which military guests are expected to be in uniform.

       The preceding guidelines are based on the protocol requirements of Washington, D.C. In other areas of the country, such as California, or Hawaii, social occasions call for far less formal attire. When in doubt, inquire as to local custom.
       For additional information on the composition of specific uniforms, refer to the current U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations, also available on the Internet.
       The increased informality in modem day living dictates wide latitude in apparel; therefore, guests should be encouraged to feel comfortable in whatever they choose to wear.