Spring, it appears, is the perfect time to showcase a new fashion range, have a wedding, introduce a new bottle of Vodka to the world or even throw a soiree for your closest 1000 friends.

Why? Because they can.

Now don't get me wrong, I love a party as much as the next person - maybe even more according to some people - but with an invite can come all kinds of calamities.

For instance, I just got an invitation for an event stipulating Dress Code: Lounge Funk. I'm serious. And if you think as a Fashion & Style Director I know what that means... think again. There are so many dress codes placed on the bottom of invites nowadays that make no sense whatsoever, that the art of dressing correctly for an event is no longer a skill but more a minefield.

Actually, I'm sure these so-called codes are the creative brainchild of some Y generation PR/Event fashionista who just purchased a new outfit and felt that - Lounge Funk - completely summed it up. And therefore a new dress code was born.

Ummmm ... no!

Call me old-fashioned, but I'm not having any of it.

Dress codes are a tradition, a definite style guide with their own rules and regulations in place. They are there for a very good reason, to create a sense of community at an event and define the style. They are not up for overtly creative interpretation - yes, you can play on the rules, maybe even bend them a little (as they've done with race days this Spring Carnival) but you just can't create your own. Otherwise, where it says Dress Code - it may as well just say: Whatever.

I do agree, there may be a need for a few new dress codes, given that fashion has moved on and loosened up a little for major events, but they need to make sense and be easily defined. Therefore, those receiving the invitation will have some clue what is expected of them and be able to dress accordingly.

Black tie means exactly that - black ties for men. It has specific boundaries and different dress styles. Autumn and Spring racing carnivals have very strict guidelines and it is respectful and a measure of good taste that you follow them. So in order to clear up the confusion here are the definitions for dress codes - well the ones that I recognise at least!

White Tie is an ultra-formal invitation requiring men to wear a tuxedo white tie, vest, shirt. Women must (this is MUST not SHOULD) wear floor length gowns.

Black Tie calls for formal attire for both men and women. Men wear tuxedos, Women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates. However Formal which traditionally is the same as Black Tie now gives men the option of wearing a dark suit and tie instead of the tux. Women still need to wear cocktail, dressy evening separates or long dresses.

Cocktail means a suit for men, and a cocktail dress for women, which may mean a shorter dress. There is a fair bit of leniency with cocktail attire these days. Be aware however, that it is still dressed up! A dressy pantsuit or skirt and top combination are also suitable.

Semi-Formal means that tuxedos are not required, nor are long dresses. An evening wedding (after 6pm) still requires dark suits for him, and a cocktail dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.

Dressy Casual calls for dressed-up versions of casual looks. For him, it could be trousers and a sports jacket for her dressy pants or a skirt teamed with a beautiful blouse. Jeans, shorts, tees and beachwear are not really appropriate - although with the new style high waist, wide-leg dressy jean we may see some of these creeping in.

Casual. This generally means come in what you are comfortable in - that does however exclude pyjamas and tracky dacks! A good rule of thumb is: if there is a code on the invite, then you are expected to make an effort. Dirty, scruffy clothes are not welcome anywhere in my book and if the invitees went to the trouble of stipulating a dress code then you should go to the trouble of dressing appropriately.

Now, if someone could just explain Lounge Funk to me I'll head off to that uber cool event.

Until next time

Lee