10 Semi-Formal Dresses That Crack The Confusing Dress Code

Whoever invented wedding dress codes must have had a strong sense of humor. White tie, black tie, black tie optional, casual, destination wedding casual, business casual, cocktail, formal, semi-formal — the list of cryptic options goes on and on. Too often we have found ourselves in a last-minute bind, desperately Googling, "What can you wear to a black tie wedding?" And which wedding dress codes rules can be broken? Luckily, for the less strictly formal categories that leave more room for interpretation, like cocktail or semi-formal, you get the best of both worlds. If you're itching to finally wear a floor-length dress, go for it! But if you're on the hunt for an excuse to get away with something less showy and more familiar with your personal style, then an ambiguous semi-formal dress code requirement just might be your friend.

If you're like us, your current go-to outfit looks something like a long-sleeved midi dress paired with strappy sandals or trendy platform loafers. The dressy enough for a nice dinner, yet casual enough to wear to an afternoon barbecue ensemble nails today's formal-ish dress code. (But maybe lose the sneakers.) So while the concept of strict dressing requirements might be a little too outdated for our tastes, a not-too-fancy, not-too-informal dress is right up our alley.

Ahead are semi-formal appropriate dress picks that eliminate the panic of cracking your invitation's dress code.