FOR MEN For men, a typical formal outfit may include smart suits, dress shirts, ties, and dress shoes. A range of accessories may also be added to the ensemble, like a pocket square or set of cufflinks. Typically, dark colors are favored, like charcoal or navy suit jackets. However, other shades and tones may be used, provided the overall outfit meets the standard formal requirements. FOR WOMEN For women, a standard formal outfit would consist of a dress. Both floor-length gowns and lighter cocktail dresses can fall into the formal category. Aside from dresses, blouses, dressy skirts, and dress pants are potential choices for females at formal events. In terms of footwear, heels or fancy flats may be worn, while accessories can include elegant jewelry and small clutch bags.