A
short
course
in
festive
dressing
Dressing
for
festive
occasions
is
an
expression
of
courtesy
towards
the
hosts
and
creates
a
festive
atmosphere
on
its
own
part.
By
choosing
the
right
clothes
for
the
right
situations,
it
is
easier
to
casually
relax,
enjoy
the
party
and
be
oneself.
The
acceptability
and
appropriateness
of
particular
clothing
always
depends
on
the
nature
of
the
event.
To
both
underdress
or
overdress
for
it
can
easily
arouse
negative
attention.
In
the
event
that
an
occasion
requires
a
certain
type
of
dress,
this
is
usually
noted
in
the
invitation
card.
The
request
in
the
invitation
card
must
be
observed
without
exception
and
to
the
letter.
In
keeping
with
etiquette,
a
couple
should
be
dressed
with
the
same
festive
decorum
between
them.
Fashion
and
trends
in
women’s
dress
have
greater
impact
than
in
the
case
of
men,
but
in
each
event
the
woman’s
dress
emulates
that
of
the
man—in
other
words,
a
woman’s
style
of
dressing
is
determined
by
the
man’s.
Dark
suit
An
always
impeccable
dark
suit
suits
many
types
of
occasions
and
is
therefore
an
essential
part
of
every
man’s
wardrobe.
A
dark
suit
fits
both
daytime
and
nighttime
functions.
A
dark
suit
which
replaces
a
tailcoat
as
festive
dress
is
always
black.
A
waistcoat
can
also
be
used
with
a
single-breasted
suit.
A
classic
single-breasted
dress
jacket
and
waistcoat
is
worn
with
the
lowest
button
left
open.
In
buttoning
a
double-breasted
jacket,
it
must
be
remembered
that
the
inside
button
is
to
be
closed,
since
it
affects
the
fit
of
the
suit.
For
sitting,
the
dress
jacket
is
opened.
A
gentleman
does
not
take
his
dress
jacket
off
during
a
party.
The
jacket’s
sleeves
extend
to
between
the
wrist-bone
and
the
palm,
so
that
a
strip
about
two
centimetres
long
is
visible
from
the
cuff
of
the
shirt
below
the
coat
sleeve.
A
white
dress
shirt
made
of
cotton
poplin
has
always
been
the
symbol
of
a
gentleman.
The
tie
that
must
be
used
with
a
dark
suit
is
made
of
silk
and
is
dark
blue
or
silver-grey.
Small
patterns
and
dots
as
well
as
muted,
slanted
but
even
stripes
are
permissible.
The
tie
is
the
right
length
when
its
tip
extends
to
the
belt-buckle.
A
black
tie
is
always
appropriate
in
the
case
of
funerals.
A
bowtie
is
seldom
used
with
a
dark
suit.
A
pocket
handkerchief
is
unnecessary.
The
trousers
as
part
of
a
classic
dark
suit
are
of
the
same
material
as
the
jacket
and
creases.
The
correct
length
of
the
trouser
leg
is
often
determined
from
the
starting
point
of
the
heel,
but
some
recommend
about
one
centimetre
above
the
heel
as
the
right
length.
A
belt
adds
neatness
to
the
appearance
of
the
trousers.
The
belt
colour
should
be
the
same
as
the
shoes
and
the
buckle
is
to
be
the
same
width
as
the
belt.
Shoes
should
be
of
black
leather
with slender
laces
or
smooth-surfaced
buckle
shoes.
Moccasin-type
shoes
are
inappropriate.
Socks
should
be
the
colour
of
the
suit
or
a
shade
darker,
and
long
enough
at
the
ankle
that
bare
legs
are
not
visible
underneath
the
trouser
bottoms.
Woman’s
jacket
suit
A
woman’s
jacket
suit
corresponds
to
a
man’s
dark
suit
at
occasions
beginning
before
6.00
p.m.
A
jacket
suit
can
be
a
sophisticated
frock,
light
cardigan
suit,
uniform
combination
of
a
jacket
and
dress
or
an
elegant
trouser-suit.
A
combined
shift
dress
and
jacket
are
also
suitable
as
festive
wear.
A
dress
hat
is
a
requisite
for
a
daytime
party,
i.e.,
dress
hat
occasions
are
ceremonies
beginning
before
6.00
p.m.
The
model
of
hat
is
chosen
by
reference
to
the
situation
and
general
dress
as
well
as
the
time
of
year.
A
hat
should
accent
the
wearer’s
personality
and
should
be
light-hearted
yet
dignified.
Gauze,
feathers
and
flowers
are
appropriate
as
decorations.
One
may
use
gloves
with
a
jacket
suit.
However,
gloves
are
not
used
when
eating
or
drinking
indoors.
Genuine
or
costume
jewellery
may
be
used
with
a
jacket
suit
as
well
as
fashionable
scarves.
A
case
may
be
a
small
letter-envelope
model,
leather
handbag
or
petite
shoulder
bag.
Shoes
worn
with
a
jacket
suit
are
low-heeled
and
open.
Festive
wear
before
6.00
p.m.
| Man |
Woman |
| dark
suit |
jacket
suit |
| morning
coat
|
formal
long-sleeved
and
short,
hat
and
gloves |
| tailcoat
|
a
long-sleeved
plain-coloured
silk
suit
or
equivalent,
hat
and
gloves |
Day
occasions
are
official
visits,
congratulation
visits,
official
openings,
weddings,
house
parties,
inaugurations,
cocktail
functions
and
special
daytime
academic
occasions.
Festive
wear
after
6.00
p.m.
| Man |
Woman |
| dark
suit |
evening
gown |
dinner
suit
or
dark
suit |
evening
gown
or
black
dress |
| tailcoat
|
evening
dress,
always
long
|
A
dark
suit
is
worn
at
official
openings,
dinners
and
family
parties.
A
dinner
jacket
or
dark
suit
belongs
to
the
proceedings
for
dinners,
premieres
and
suppers.
Tailcoat
affairs
include
balls,
anniversary
concerts,
weddings
(starting
at
5.00
p.m.,
a
tailcoat
also
for
immediate
relatives),
festive
performances
and
the
Independence
Day
reception
for
the
Finnish
President
of
the
Republic.
Sources
(in
Finnish):
Etiketin
salat,
Mirka
Isotalo
Ovet
auki
ja
tavat
julki,
Suvi
Ruotsi
Kuinka
käyttäytyisin,
Sirkka
Lassila
Vaikuta
vaatteilla,
Pukeutumisopas,
Muotikaupan
Liitto
ry,
Tekstiili-
ja
Vaatetusteollisuus
ry
Tekstiili-
ja
Jalkinetoimittajat
ry
Useful
links
The
federation
of
Finnish
textile
and
clothing
industries
www.finatex.fi
Washing
instructions
www.omo.com
|
