Theres nothing quite like the mini stomach flip that comes from seeing the words formal attire printed on aninvitation.
First comes the excitement of having an opportunity to get all dolled up.
Then, the panic of not knowing what that really means.
Photographed By Flo Ngala
Aside fromweddingsor the occasional gala, there are many reasons why one would need formal attire in their arsenal.
Theres semi-formal, which is often conflated withcocktail dress codes.
According toJovani, the way of dress is riddled with aristocratic and military-inspired details.
Portrait of George ‘Beau’ Brummell (1778-1849) 1805 (colour litho) (later colouration) (Photo by Art Images via Getty Images)
Traditional elements of formal wear have been adapted to fit modern trends, creating a timeless look.
Men were wearing corsets and short dresses with skinny trousers underneathmost women wore the latter, too.
Over time, as the concept of formal wear evolved so did the pieces themselves.
Bettmann
Style in the 1920s further solidified this subtle shift towards simplicity.
Hemlines continued to rise, with the start of World War I and the womens suffrage movement.
Famed designers likeCoco Chaneland revolutionized formal clothing with inventions like thelittle black dress and Christian DiorsNew Lookera.
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Designers are increasingly embracing innovative techniques and diverse perspectives to meet the evolving needs.
In its place, consider more stately materials like tulle or duchess satin and crepe de chine.
Embellishments arent necessarily a stipulation but are encouraged if you want to stand out.
For Koma, this attention to details is paramount when crafting modern-day formal pieces.
