Dress clothes

Dress clothes are clothing that is less formal than formal wear but more formal than casual wear. The term is considered a secular version of Sunday clothes and church clothes, which signifies clothes worn by some Christians to a Sunday mass.

Men's and boy's dress clothes

For boys and men, this includes items like:

• Dress socks
• Underwear
• Trousers
• Dress shoes
• A dress shirt
• A necktie^[1]

Women's and girls' dress clothes

For girls or women, this includes either:

• Pantyhose (full cut panties are strongly recommended if one is wearing knee highs)
• Knee highs
• One of these three:
  • Slacks and a blouse or
  • A skirt and a blouse or
  • A dress
• High heeled shoes
• Makeup^[1]

Appropriate events and places

These are usually worn for:

• Night outs
• White collar work environments
  • Offices.
• Places of worship
• Graduations
• Festive holidays
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas
  • Easter
  • Birthdays and birthday parties
• Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
• Visits to elegant parties
• Family gatherings
• Restaurant visits
• Get-togethers with visiting in-laws
• More formal events like:
  • Weddings
  • Funerals
• Every Sunday or weekend in general (some people or families, some just during Sunday meals or similar meals).

References

1. Dress for Success at Forbes.com