While an award show might be associated with upscale events, red carpets, and exclusive high-society invitations, the reality is that there are numerous award shows you could attend throughout your life, including parties with award show themes. One of the most fun things about award shows and award show-themed parties is being able to dress up outside of your normal outfits.
In this guide, we tell you more about award show outfits, so you can figure out what to wear at your next award show event.
Do Award Shows Have Dress Codes?
The majority of award shows you see or hear about do have dress codes. In general, these dress codes range from cocktail or semi-formal to upscale formal events, such as black-tie and white-tie events. The awards shows you see televised are typically ones with very high-end dress codes, where individuals could be considered underdressed if they do not go all out with formal dresses or properly tailored suits.
That being said, some award shows are more avant-garde, and you can expect the range of acceptable clothing to be more experimental and art-based. If you are concerned about the dress code of the event you have been invited to, make sure to check with the host and ensure you understand the dress code fully.
Award Show Outfits: What to Wear
Award show outfits can vary in style depending on the type of dress code at the event. Below, we give you some options for both male and female attendees to consider for their next award show event.
Female guests to award shows can wear:
- Floor-length formal gowns, with or without evening gloves
- Cocktail-style dresses that do not fall high above the knee
- Semi-formal gowns and tea-style dresses
- A formal, tailored, and well-fitted suit that matches the formality of the event
Male guests to ward shows can wear:
- A tailored suit with matching dress shoes
- A tuxedo for formal events
- A black tailcoat and white shirt, plus a white bow tie for white-tie events
- Dress pants and a fitted shirt for semi-formal events or cocktail-style dress codes
Make sure that any shoes, jewelry, hair, makeup, or accessories match the overall dress code and formality of the event, and try to keep all of your accessory items in one theme. A cohesive look is much more pleasant overall than something that is more mismatched.
Where Do I Buy My Award Show Outfit?
Once you have an idea of what you want to wear, you will need to start thinking about where to purchase your award show outfit. Usually, you can find a boutique store in your area to start this search, or you can look through your local mall. Semi-formal and cocktail-style outfits are the easiest to find in these locations.
If you need something very formal, such as a formal floor-length gown or a white-tie suit outfit, you may need to visit a dedicated store. You could also look for your award show outfit online on a website like Sherri Hill.
If you are shopping on a budget, you might want to look through local thrift stores and vintage stores regularly to see if something that fits your event’s dress code comes through.
Can I Rent an Award Show Outfit?
It is sometimes possible to rent an outfit, and this can be a great choice if you need an award show outfit, but you do not want the burden of paying for something especially formal that you will only wear once. While there can be something said about investing in a nice formal outfit, that is simply not necessary for many of us.
You will need to look online or in person for rental outfits, and this can take some extra time compared to purchasing your award show outfit outright. We recommend starting this process early to ensure you find the right outfit in time.
Can I Reuse an Award Show Outfit?
It is possible to reuse an award show outfit, especially if the outfit is very formal. These outfits do not get regular wear, so you can wear them to multiple events if you invest in owning your formal dress or suit. That being said, if you are going to multiple award shows or other formal events each year, you might want to invest in a few different options to keep things fresh at each event.
Award Show Outfits: Looking Your Best
Dressing for an award show is often one of the most enjoyable parts of preparing for your event. Hopefully, with the help of our guide, you have a better idea of what you want to wear to your next award show event, and you know exactly where to start looking so you can invest in an award show outfit that helps you feel and look your best.