Elevate Your Attire Etiquette-Categories and Occasions Explained: Part 2
Ginger, Michelle and Lynda welcome you back to our discussion on attire etiquette — categories, occasions and dress! Check out Part One published earlier this month.
The below chart is a guideline for appropriate attire; we hope you find it useful as you navigate all your social events. Uniforms may deviate from the chart, depending on the event, or directed by host or command.
| Army Uniform | Civilian Men | Civilian Ladies | |
|
White Tie |
Blue or White Evening Mess |
Black Tailcoat, Tuxedo with Bow Tie |
Floor-Length Gown |
| Formal/Black Tie |
Blue or White Mess, AGSU- Dress, AGSU-A with Four-in- Hand Necktie or ASU with Bow Tie (after retreat, 1700, headgear is not required) |
Tuxedo, Dark Dinner Jacket (Bow Tie or formal version of a Necktie) | Floor-Length Gown or Long Skirt |
|
Semi-Formal |
AGSU-A with Four-in-Hand Necktie/ ASU with Four-in-Hand Necktie |
Dark Business Jacket | Cocktail, Tea-Length Dress, Dressy Separates |
| Informal/Smart Business |
AGSU-A with Four-in-Hand Necktie ASU with Four-in-Hand Necktie |
Business Suit or Sport Coat and Tie | SundayDress, Skirt, Business or Pant Suit |
|
Bus. Casual/Duty Uniform |
AGSU-B, ASU (or local policy) |
Sport Coat without Tie, Trouserswith Open Collar Shirt |
Dress, Skirt or Slacks (with Jacket) |
|
Casual |
Duty Uniform, ACU, AGSU-B (or local policy) |
Slacks with Open Collar Shirt, Slacks with Golf Shirt (no Sports Coat) |
Blouse W/ Skirt or Slacks, Sundress(Seasonal Attire) |
|
Very Casual
|
No Uniform – Civilian Attire | Open Collar Shirt and Slacks or Shorts and T-Shirt | Slacks, Shorts with Top, Sundress |
*Source: AUSA Customs, Courtesies and Traditions of the United States Army, A Primer for Family Members – Ginger Perkins 2025
Remember….
The host will suggest what to wear — keeping in mind current trends, local customs, and the kind of event.
Just follow the dress code on the invitation, and it will guide you!
Uniform acronyms: ASU-Army Service Uniform, ACU- Army Camouflage Uniform, AGSU- Army Green Service Uniform.
“White Tie” indicates “tails” — a long black tailcoat with matching trousers, white wing-collared shirt, white bow tie, and white pique waistcoat. Army Blue Evening Mess or White Evening Mess differs in certain details from the Army Mess uniform.
Whatever the occasion, dressing well shows respect—for the event, for others, and for yourself. Wear it with confidence, and you’re already making the best impression!
Hooah hugs, Ginger, Michelle, and Lynda
*Check out *Elevate Your Attire Etiquette: Categories and Occasions Explained, Part ONE, published earlier this month.
Other Mission: Milspouse Blogs:
ATTIRE, NAME TAGS, UNIT PINS, AND GIFTS – Mission: Milspouse
Dress for the Occasion – Mission: Milspouse
References:
Department of the Army, Army Regulation 670-1, A Guide to Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia
The Army Spouse Handbook, Ann Crossley and Ginger Perkins, (Atlantic Beach, FL: ABI Press, 2019)
Service Etiquette, Fifth Edition, Cherylynn Contesco and Anna Hart
FORSCOM Table of Equivalent Attire, 3 March 21
AUSA Customs, Courtesies and Traditions, Ginger Perkins
Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, Judith Martin, page 530-553
Emily Post’s Etiquette, Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning, pages 128-136
US Army Protocol Guides PPT
Marlow White
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