ladies formal maxi dresses Freesia Red Formal Maxi Dress 92.4% Polyester 7.6% Elastane Gentle Hand Wash Soft satin Formal Maxi Dresses | ASOS

Style this bodycon dress with matching hue heels and a mini bag for an effortlessly chic look that will have all eyes on you

(approx, measured from size small)

Dial up the drama with this mini dress by adding some thigh-high boots and gold jewellery to lean into that high-fashion aesthetic

That said, knowing the traditional rules also helps you better understand the more unique or esoteric dress codes like fabulous cocktail, cowboy formal, or the garden of time (all very real themes I have seen in the wild)

FIVE 5-Minute Simple Halloween Costumes with 1 Little Black Dress

Try it with the Water Stone Chandelier Clip Earrings by Alexis Bittar