June 16, 2024 • 13 mins
In today's episode we revisit one of our most popular chat's with Stylist Fiona Keary, helping us de-code dress codes for our next event.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I need ten or fifteen skirts from Calvin Klein.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Sometimes I would buy book instead of dinner.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
I just felt this is Taylor talk with your host
Sammy Rose. Dress codes can be very divisive. There's something
that's meant to help your guests add an event figure
out what they can wear. This can be really hard
if you don't know what the different dress codes actually mean.
So to help us with our conundrum today, we have
(00:27):
stylist extraordinary Fiona Kiri from Style Liberation on the line. Fiona,
thank you so much for chatting with me.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Thank you so much for having me, and this is
one of my favorite things to talk about.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Oh perfect, all right, So we're going to start with
the hard hitting questions. Why are dress codes important?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
There's actually two reasons, I guess, the first being that
a dress code sort of fits the tone for an event.
And I love dress codes because it gives us some
guidance as to what sort of what we're to expect
from a particular events as well, like we wouldn't turn
up to a friend's wedding in at leisure, for example,
(01:05):
So it's sort of setting the tone of an event.
And it's that idea of enclosed cognition. So it's that
idea that when we dress for a particular event or
part it really does set that tone and the intention
for what we're doing. And it's also I guess a
sign of respect as well for different events and occasions.
(01:28):
And the other reason I find that they're super important
is because have you ever turned up for something and
you haven't been given the dress code, and when you
turn up and you feel really inappropriately dressed, like either
really overdressed, which you know I don't necessarily have so
much of a problem with. I actually like being overdressed.
(01:49):
Sometimes when you turn up and you are under dressed
and it's like oh, and you just feel really uncomfortable
in that situation. So I do think it's important from
those two perspectives.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Gosh. Okay, So as you said there that there are
so many different dress codes. If I go through these
one by one, can you help us out and kind
of decode what each one means for our listeners as well?
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Absolutely?
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Okay, perfect, all right? So first up, casual dress code.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Okay, so I think most of us have got this. However,
for some of style personalities out there, like you know,
our creator is elegance, classics and dramatics. They actually find
casual really tricky and it feels a bit frumpy for them,
So there are ways of ingesting that in there, But
basically casual is comfortable and practical. It's perfect the home,
running errands, hitting the shops, attending a sporting event. So
(02:41):
it really does come most naturally to those that are
maybe a little bit more relaxed, natural in their style,
rebellious or creative, and it can range from as leisure
like as leisure is. Actually they even moved sometimes into
smart casual, but we will talk about that in a moment.
So you'll see a lot of denims in casual with
you know, maybe more of your classic teas cotton things
(03:04):
like that, jumpers and sweatshirts, but it's usually the shoes
and accessories that really make something quite casual. So we're
really usually going for something that's a trainer, like flat
boots that's quite casual, slide sandals, and maybe more of
those sort of casual unembellished flats that we're looking at
in terms of that.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Geez, that's such a good point. I've never thought about
it in terms of because so many of my outfits,
you know, when you want to dress it up a
little bit, you just add a different pair of shoes.
That's so true. So moving on in speaking of kind
of moving it up a little level, So what does
smart casual mean.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
So smart casual if you think about occasion, it's perfect
for catching up with friends and family, brunches, lunches after
new drinks, like a casual date, or if you're thinking
about a work context, it's more of that sort of
casual friday, a tie or maybe even conference. Where So
this can actually be quite tricky for those that maybe
you know, have two of dress codes in their wardrobe,
(04:01):
like more of that smart business to business formal, or
people who wear things that are really casual or if
you're uniform, so they do sometimes find a little bit
tricky to find that in between sort of ground because
you've either got really dressed up or you've got something
that's really casual. So our feminine sculptors and elegance find
is the easiest to do. So we can still do
(04:21):
some denim, but it's just like what you said, we're
pairing it with an elevated shoe, so something that has
a little bit more detail, so it doesn't necessarily it
has to be a heel as such, it could be
like a really great patent flat or something that's more
into a loafer style that's got a little bit more
detailed to it, adding a blazer or amping up the accessories.
And sometimes in smart casual as well, we're moving well
(04:44):
often we can be moving into skirts and dresses and
swapping out the casual teas for maybe knit tops and blouses.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Gosh, okay, yep, So what's the difference then, moving on
between smart casual and business attire?
Speaker 2 (05:00):
So there is actually three levels of business attire. We've
got business casual, yes, but that actually interchanges with smart casual.
Casual is the same. Okay. So if you've got smart
casual thought it, you've got your business casual sort it.
But then there's smart business. So if you think about
smart business, think tailor's pants, skirts and dresses. And with
(05:22):
the pants and the skirts, you're pairing them maybe with
a blouse, a tea that's not out of cotton or
T shirt material, but maybe like maybe your silks or
biscoas and things like that, or a knit that's elevated.
You don't need to wear a jacket with this look.
So if you're thinking for the guys, it would be
like a Chino with a shirt for example, that would
(05:43):
very much move into that, and you can do it
both with flats and heels. However, again you're looking for
something it's a little bit more polished and elevated in
the shoe area, and you're probably going a little bit
more polished and elevated in your accessories as well. For
if business formal, it used to be the case that's
the business formal. It was a matchy matchy suit, so
(06:07):
jacket and pants with jacket and skirt. But it's actually
moved a little bit. There's not a lot of context
these days where it's really really business formal, so we're
still just looking at that structure or the tailoring in
the pants, skirts and dresses, but we can go for
non matching in our blazers with pants. Same for men
(06:29):
as well, we're seeing a lot of you know, maybe
the sports jacket with a great pair of tailored pants,
so it's more Yes, you want to be suited and booted,
but it doesn't necessarily have to be that formal suit anymore.
So we've moved on a little bit, especially since COVID,
we've moved into sort of dressing that down just that
(06:50):
little bit.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Gosh. Yes, it's so interesting how things like the pandemic affect,
you know, the way we dressed and imply things in
our life. So moving on again, cocktail, what does that
dress code mean?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Well? Can I actually combine this with semi formal because
there's actually a lot of crossover between those.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Yes, please, because I've honestly semi formal was the one
before I walked into the studio to chat with you today.
One of our guys in production, Adam, he won't mind
that I am name dropping him, but we have been
to a few events for work and they say semi
formal and we both go to each other and go
(07:27):
what does that mean? So yeah, please explain.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Look, it used to be that cocktail was, you know,
for men, a pair of pants and a really great
dress shirt with some stabular shoes, and for women it
was that knee lengths party dress. But there's a lot
more flexibility now and I think what we've found is
that cocktail and semi formal are pretty much merged into one,
so we've got a little bit more leeway. So it
(07:53):
doesn't mean that you have to as the guys that
you have to be have a jacket. It's just that
we're elevating that shirt. It needs to be really crisp.
The look needs to be really elevated, especially with shoes
and accessories. And for women we've got a lot more
leeway because even for the cocktail now it doesn't need
(08:14):
to be that sort of short party dress. The key
is that it needs to be fun and fabulous. So
it's almost like we've got a little bit more leeway.
In terms of Sparkle's print in particular, we find is
coming more into playing to cocktail and semiformal. So if
I give you the example, if we think about a
(08:34):
beautiful sort of day wedding where that can be semi
formal rather than say formal, where you could have a beautiful, softer,
structured floral midi dress for example. And for men you
might still be semi formal, but you've still got that tailoring,
but it's maybe a little bit more relaxed, so you
might be doing like a linen suit or something rather
(08:55):
than doing that really structured formal or black tie a tire.
So there is a lot more leewayne that's why cocktail
and semi formal is actually quite tricky. Cocktail is actually easier,
I would say, than semi formal because it is more
about that sort of a little bit more about bling
and that party feel where it's a semi formal I see,
it's almost like afternoons soiree. That's how I would sort
(09:18):
of see it. So if you take inspirations from sort
of that or maybe even race wear, that's a good
place to sort of land with cocktail and semi formal.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Oh my gosh, that was so helpful. I was kind
of like following you along as you explained it, and
I think that makes total sense. So as you mentioned
semi formal, then moving on to the next step, what
does formal a formal dress code require?
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Okay? So this again is tricky now because can I
actually skip ahead to black tie?
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Of course, you can go for it, because.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
If I skip to black tie, formal will make more sense, Okay,
because formal is actually the casual version of black tie. Okay,
and that sounds a bit strange.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I know, No, that's okay. Let's go for black tie then, So.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Black tie is the full glitz and glamour, okay, So
the men is your tuxedos, you know, black or white.
It's your full it's the ultimate formal code. And for
women it is full length gown yep. And we're talking
full glitz and glammar. Think you know awards shows, yeah, Oscars,
(10:30):
you know Grammys, that type of thing. It is the
full vibe in terms of that. So if we think
about formal, it's in between that sort of cocktail semiformal
and black tie, so it's slightly more casual, so you've
got more room to sort of move on the length
because black tie really is like, you know, full length,
(10:54):
whereas the formal you can go look sometimes it's not
so great to do just below, but it's like that
midi to sort of ankle length is really good. And
for men it doesn't necessarily have to be the full tuxedo,
but you do want to do suiting for formal absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
And I had a big question, sorry for you ownA
on so I know for a few of my guy friends,
and apologies, this is kind of just a I'm throwing
this question to you. I know that we've been at
events and it is a formal event and the guys
have got dress shoes on, but they look around and
there will be gentlemen there with a full suit on,
(11:34):
you know, well groomed, looking fabulous, but then they've got
a pair of white kicks on, like expensive sneak but
they're essentially sneakers. Is that okay?
Speaker 2 (11:45):
If it's best of personality, absolutely, yeah, okay, yeah, this
is And this is the thing I want to sort
of talk about as well. What we often find, say
someone who has relaxed, natural or maybe a little bit
rebellious like those white kicks. Sounds totally rebellious, do you
know what I mean? I am an anti establishment. Don't
make me wear a pair of dress shoes. I'm not
(12:06):
going to do it. So it's that type of thing
that we still need to bring our style personality into
all of these different levels of what we call I
guess refinement with dress codes. So just like if you
think if you're someone who is sultry, dramatic, creative, that's
why casual is hard. And you'll find people who are
(12:29):
those style personalities. They'll wear like sequin converse, they'll wear
something like sequin tops and things like that with a
pair of jeans or a denim skirt and something like
that because they're trying to bring that element of their
style personality into perhaps where they don't necessarily sit naturally.
Definitely a way of doing it. But if you're if
(12:51):
you are like a classic elegant, you would freak out
wearing white traders with formal and that's okay. And that's
okay too. But I love it when people do bring
their stole personalities into different dress codes and I very
very much encourage that.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Gosh, I love that, Fiona. This has been such an
educational chat for me, and I can't wait for so
many of our listeners who've been asking for this chat
to hear it. I think they're going to love it
as well. Thank you so much. Where can our listeners
find you on the socials?
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Absolutely just over at Star Liberations on our socials.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Perfect well, I'm sure we will talk to you very
very soon. Thank you so much, Fiona
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Thank you so much,
I need ten or fifteen skirts from Calvin Klein.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Sometimes I would buy book instead of dinner.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
I just felt this is Taylor talk with your host
Sammy Rose. Dress codes can be very divisive. There's something
that's meant to help your guests add an event figure
out what they can wear. This can be really hard
if you don't know what the different dress codes actually mean.
So to help us with our conundrum today, we have
(00:27):
stylist extraordinary Fiona Kiri from Style Liberation on the line. Fiona,
thank you so much for chatting with me.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Thank you so much for having me, and this is
one of my favorite things to talk about.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Oh perfect, all right, So we're going to start with
the hard hitting questions. Why are dress codes important?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
There's actually two reasons, I guess, the first being that
a dress code sort of fits the tone for an event.
And I love dress codes because it gives us some
guidance as to what sort of what we're to expect
from a particular events as well, like we wouldn't turn
up to a friend's wedding in at leisure, for example,
(01:05):
So it's sort of setting the tone of an event.
And it's that idea of enclosed cognition. So it's that
idea that when we dress for a particular event or
part it really does set that tone and the intention
for what we're doing. And it's also I guess a
sign of respect as well for different events and occasions.
(01:28):
And the other reason I find that they're super important
is because have you ever turned up for something and
you haven't been given the dress code, and when you
turn up and you feel really inappropriately dressed, like either
really overdressed, which you know I don't necessarily have so
much of a problem with. I actually like being overdressed.
(01:49):
Sometimes when you turn up and you are under dressed
and it's like oh, and you just feel really uncomfortable
in that situation. So I do think it's important from
those two perspectives.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
Gosh. Okay, So as you said there that there are
so many different dress codes. If I go through these
one by one, can you help us out and kind
of decode what each one means for our listeners as well?
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Absolutely?
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Okay, perfect, all right? So first up, casual dress code.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Okay, so I think most of us have got this. However,
for some of style personalities out there, like you know,
our creator is elegance, classics and dramatics. They actually find
casual really tricky and it feels a bit frumpy for them,
So there are ways of ingesting that in there, But
basically casual is comfortable and practical. It's perfect the home,
running errands, hitting the shops, attending a sporting event. So
(02:41):
it really does come most naturally to those that are
maybe a little bit more relaxed, natural in their style,
rebellious or creative, and it can range from as leisure
like as leisure is. Actually they even moved sometimes into
smart casual, but we will talk about that in a moment.
So you'll see a lot of denims in casual with
you know, maybe more of your classic teas cotton things
(03:04):
like that, jumpers and sweatshirts, but it's usually the shoes
and accessories that really make something quite casual. So we're
really usually going for something that's a trainer, like flat
boots that's quite casual, slide sandals, and maybe more of
those sort of casual unembellished flats that we're looking at
in terms of that.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Geez, that's such a good point. I've never thought about
it in terms of because so many of my outfits,
you know, when you want to dress it up a
little bit, you just add a different pair of shoes.
That's so true. So moving on in speaking of kind
of moving it up a little level, So what does
smart casual mean.
Speaker 2 (03:39):
So smart casual if you think about occasion, it's perfect
for catching up with friends and family, brunches, lunches after
new drinks, like a casual date, or if you're thinking
about a work context, it's more of that sort of
casual friday, a tie or maybe even conference. Where So
this can actually be quite tricky for those that maybe
you know, have two of dress codes in their wardrobe,
(04:01):
like more of that smart business to business formal, or
people who wear things that are really casual or if
you're uniform, so they do sometimes find a little bit
tricky to find that in between sort of ground because
you've either got really dressed up or you've got something
that's really casual. So our feminine sculptors and elegance find
is the easiest to do. So we can still do
(04:21):
some denim, but it's just like what you said, we're
pairing it with an elevated shoe, so something that has
a little bit more detail, so it doesn't necessarily it
has to be a heel as such, it could be
like a really great patent flat or something that's more
into a loafer style that's got a little bit more
detailed to it, adding a blazer or amping up the accessories.
And sometimes in smart casual as well, we're moving well
(04:44):
often we can be moving into skirts and dresses and
swapping out the casual teas for maybe knit tops and blouses.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
Gosh, okay, yep, So what's the difference then, moving on
between smart casual and business attire?
Speaker 2 (05:00):
So there is actually three levels of business attire. We've
got business casual, yes, but that actually interchanges with smart casual.
Casual is the same. Okay. So if you've got smart
casual thought it, you've got your business casual sort it.
But then there's smart business. So if you think about
smart business, think tailor's pants, skirts and dresses. And with
(05:22):
the pants and the skirts, you're pairing them maybe with
a blouse, a tea that's not out of cotton or
T shirt material, but maybe like maybe your silks or
biscoas and things like that, or a knit that's elevated.
You don't need to wear a jacket with this look.
So if you're thinking for the guys, it would be
like a Chino with a shirt for example, that would
(05:43):
very much move into that, and you can do it
both with flats and heels. However, again you're looking for
something it's a little bit more polished and elevated in
the shoe area, and you're probably going a little bit
more polished and elevated in your accessories as well. For
if business formal, it used to be the case that's
the business formal. It was a matchy matchy suit, so
(06:07):
jacket and pants with jacket and skirt. But it's actually
moved a little bit. There's not a lot of context
these days where it's really really business formal, so we're
still just looking at that structure or the tailoring in
the pants, skirts and dresses, but we can go for
non matching in our blazers with pants. Same for men
(06:29):
as well, we're seeing a lot of you know, maybe
the sports jacket with a great pair of tailored pants,
so it's more Yes, you want to be suited and booted,
but it doesn't necessarily have to be that formal suit anymore.
So we've moved on a little bit, especially since COVID,
we've moved into sort of dressing that down just that
(06:50):
little bit.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Gosh. Yes, it's so interesting how things like the pandemic affect,
you know, the way we dressed and imply things in
our life. So moving on again, cocktail, what does that
dress code mean?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Well? Can I actually combine this with semi formal because
there's actually a lot of crossover between those.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Yes, please, because I've honestly semi formal was the one
before I walked into the studio to chat with you today.
One of our guys in production, Adam, he won't mind
that I am name dropping him, but we have been
to a few events for work and they say semi
formal and we both go to each other and go
(07:27):
what does that mean? So yeah, please explain.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Look, it used to be that cocktail was, you know,
for men, a pair of pants and a really great
dress shirt with some stabular shoes, and for women it
was that knee lengths party dress. But there's a lot
more flexibility now and I think what we've found is
that cocktail and semi formal are pretty much merged into one,
so we've got a little bit more leeway. So it
(07:53):
doesn't mean that you have to as the guys that
you have to be have a jacket. It's just that
we're elevating that shirt. It needs to be really crisp.
The look needs to be really elevated, especially with shoes
and accessories. And for women we've got a lot more
leeway because even for the cocktail now it doesn't need
(08:14):
to be that sort of short party dress. The key
is that it needs to be fun and fabulous. So
it's almost like we've got a little bit more leeway.
In terms of Sparkle's print in particular, we find is
coming more into playing to cocktail and semiformal. So if
I give you the example, if we think about a
(08:34):
beautiful sort of day wedding where that can be semi
formal rather than say formal, where you could have a beautiful, softer,
structured floral midi dress for example. And for men you
might still be semi formal, but you've still got that tailoring,
but it's maybe a little bit more relaxed, so you
might be doing like a linen suit or something rather
(08:55):
than doing that really structured formal or black tie a tire.
So there is a lot more leewayne that's why cocktail
and semi formal is actually quite tricky. Cocktail is actually easier,
I would say, than semi formal because it is more
about that sort of a little bit more about bling
and that party feel where it's a semi formal I see,
it's almost like afternoons soiree. That's how I would sort
(09:18):
of see it. So if you take inspirations from sort
of that or maybe even race wear, that's a good
place to sort of land with cocktail and semi formal.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Oh my gosh, that was so helpful. I was kind
of like following you along as you explained it, and
I think that makes total sense. So as you mentioned
semi formal, then moving on to the next step, what
does formal a formal dress code require?
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Okay? So this again is tricky now because can I
actually skip ahead to black tie?
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Of course, you can go for it, because.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
If I skip to black tie, formal will make more sense, Okay,
because formal is actually the casual version of black tie. Okay,
and that sounds a bit strange.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I know, No, that's okay. Let's go for black tie then, So.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
Black tie is the full glitz and glamour, okay, So
the men is your tuxedos, you know, black or white.
It's your full it's the ultimate formal code. And for
women it is full length gown yep. And we're talking
full glitz and glammar. Think you know awards shows, yeah, Oscars,
(10:30):
you know Grammys, that type of thing. It is the
full vibe in terms of that. So if we think
about formal, it's in between that sort of cocktail semiformal
and black tie, so it's slightly more casual, so you've
got more room to sort of move on the length
because black tie really is like, you know, full length,
(10:54):
whereas the formal you can go look sometimes it's not
so great to do just below, but it's like that
midi to sort of ankle length is really good. And
for men it doesn't necessarily have to be the full tuxedo,
but you do want to do suiting for formal absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
And I had a big question, sorry for you ownA
on so I know for a few of my guy friends,
and apologies, this is kind of just a I'm throwing
this question to you. I know that we've been at
events and it is a formal event and the guys
have got dress shoes on, but they look around and
there will be gentlemen there with a full suit on,
(11:34):
you know, well groomed, looking fabulous, but then they've got
a pair of white kicks on, like expensive sneak but
they're essentially sneakers. Is that okay?
Speaker 2 (11:45):
If it's best of personality, absolutely, yeah, okay, yeah, this
is And this is the thing I want to sort
of talk about as well. What we often find, say
someone who has relaxed, natural or maybe a little bit
rebellious like those white kicks. Sounds totally rebellious, do you
know what I mean? I am an anti establishment. Don't
make me wear a pair of dress shoes. I'm not
(12:06):
going to do it. So it's that type of thing
that we still need to bring our style personality into
all of these different levels of what we call I
guess refinement with dress codes. So just like if you
think if you're someone who is sultry, dramatic, creative, that's
why casual is hard. And you'll find people who are
(12:29):
those style personalities. They'll wear like sequin converse, they'll wear
something like sequin tops and things like that with a
pair of jeans or a denim skirt and something like
that because they're trying to bring that element of their
style personality into perhaps where they don't necessarily sit naturally.
Definitely a way of doing it. But if you're if
(12:51):
you are like a classic elegant, you would freak out
wearing white traders with formal and that's okay. And that's
okay too. But I love it when people do bring
their stole personalities into different dress codes and I very
very much encourage that.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
Gosh, I love that, Fiona. This has been such an
educational chat for me, and I can't wait for so
many of our listeners who've been asking for this chat
to hear it. I think they're going to love it
as well. Thank you so much. Where can our listeners
find you on the socials?
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Absolutely just over at Star Liberations on our socials.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
Perfect well, I'm sure we will talk to you very
very soon. Thank you so much, Fiona
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Thank you so much,
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.