Why After-Five Is the Only Dress Code You Need to Know

How many times have you opened up a party invite to read a different dress code? Between ‘black-tie optional’, ‘cocktail’, ‘smart casual’ and ‘business casual’, it’s understandable that there’s confusion and a collective Google search for what to wear at this time of year.

This is why we’re proposing a new dress code—'After-Five'. Dress codes are a funny thing. They date back to the Middle Ages when they were used to differentiate classes. I think we’ve moved away from that now, and fashion has too. Ladies can now wear pants, and skirt length debates are a thing of the past.

So what is 'After-Five'? It’s the girl you can’t take your eyes off when she walks into a room. She’s always polished (no chipped nails in sight), elevated (read: timeless), and can seamlessly slip from one event to another without so much as a shoe change. It isn’t overly trend driven and maintains your modesty.

Rather than explain with words, keep scrolling to see our new favourite dress code in motion.

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What do you think about dress codes? Are they dated? Will you use ‘after-five’ the next time you organise an event? Let us know in the comments below then shop a new party look over at Net-a-Porter!

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Amanda Bardas