Reference · Version 1.0.0
Cher uses fifteen numbered labels to describe formality. These are internal organizing labels, not universal etiquette levels: cocktail and semi-formal overlap, and dress codes vary by host, region and workplace. There is no fixed number of levels that makes a combination right or wrong. Follow the invitation and your practical needs.
Also called gym clothes, workout wear, activewear
Clothing chosen for physical performance, where sweat management and range of motion decide everything and appearance is secondary.
Also called pyjamas, nightwear
Clothing designed to be slept in, not to be seen in.
Also called comfies, house clothes, WFH clothes
Soft, unstructured clothing for being at home and comfortable, acceptable for a doorstep delivery and nothing beyond it.
Also called running errands, school run, throw-on
Comfortable everyday clothes for routine errands; local context and personal preferences vary.
Also called casual, relaxed, come as you are
Deliberately relaxed clothing that still shows intent: the pieces fit, the colors were chosen, nothing is worn out.
Also called casual chic, elevated casual, dressy casual
Casual with one intentional decorative element - a print, a heeled boot, a real bag - that signals you dressed on purpose.
Also called smart casual, business casual Friday, dress to impress but relaxed
Tailoring or structure combined with something relaxed, so the outfit reads considered without reading corporate. One structured piece and one soft piece is the reliable formula.
Also called business casual, office appropriate, smart office
Workplace clothing without a full suit. Denim and sneakers may be allowed or excluded by the employer; the workplace policy controls.
Also called business formal, business professional, interview attire
Full professional dress: a matched suit or an equally structured skirt-and-jacket combination, in a dark or neutral color, with polished closed shoes.
Also called date night, dinner out, drinks
Clothing for a date, chosen for the venue, activity and personal preferences. Fitted clothes or exposed skin are not requirements.
Also called going out, clubbing, big night
Clothing built for a late, loud, social evening: bolder silhouettes, harder fabrics, shoes chosen with standing in mind.
Also called cocktail attire, cocktail dress code, dressy
Dressy clothing such as a cocktail dress, suit, jumpsuit or separates. Fabric, finish and the invitation matter together; heels and a single hem length are not universal requirements.
Also called semi-formal, dressy attire
A dressy code below full formalwear that often overlaps with cocktail attire. Usage varies by host and region; this internal label does not establish a universal rank above cocktail.
Also called formal attire, evening dress, gala
Floor-length or the most formal end of midi, in evening fabric, with evening shoes, an evening bag and considered jewelry.
Also called black tie, black tie required, white tie is one step above
The most formal dress code most people will ever be invited to: a floor-length gown or formal separates for women, a dinner jacket with a black bow tie for men.
Six commonly used dress-code words describe a context rather than a level of formality. Each of them can sit at several different rungs, which is exactly why they cause so much confusion on invitations.
For conventional event attire, see Emily Post’s attire guide. Cher’s labels are an app vocabulary, not an independent etiquette standard.
Ask Cher yourself
“The invite says cocktail attire. What in my closet actually works?”
Style by Cher uses garment details to support outfit suggestions. Tell Cher the occasion and your preferences, then decide whether the suggestions work for you. Available for iPhone with a limited free plan.
From least to most formal: athletic, sleepwear, loungewear, errand casual, casual, cute casual, smart casual, business casual, business, date night, night out, cocktail, semi-formal, formal, black tie. Festival, vacation, beach, bridal, party and costume are context modes rather than points on the scale, since each can sit at several different levels.
The terms overlap. Business casual is governed by workplace expectations; smart casual is also used for social settings. Some business-casual workplaces allow denim and sneakers, while others exclude them.
Black tie optional welcomes black-tie attire and also permits a dark suit with a tie, a dressy cocktail dress or dressy separates. Follow the host’s guidance rather than a numeric floor.
Cocktail and semi-formal overlap in common usage, and hosts use them differently. The internal ordering of Cher’s labels should not be read as a universal etiquette ranking.
There is no validated numeric cutoff. Casual and formal pieces can be mixed intentionally. Judge the outfit by the invitation, practical needs and the effect you want.
Part of The Cher Closet Taxonomy, version 1.0.0. Maintained by Clarity Step LLC.