full dress
Ceremonial evening wear
Full dress is formal attire required for ceremonial occasions—military parades, state dinners, formal weddings.
The term emphasizes completeness: every element of prescribed costume must be present, from decorations to white gloves.
As a modifier, full-dress describes events requiring such attire or, figuratively, anything thorough and elaborate: a full-dress investigation, a full-dress debate.
Men's formal evening attire
- ballgownFormal full-length dress
- evening gownWoman's floor-length formal dress
- tailcoatCutaway evening jacket
- white-tieStrictest evening dress code
black-tie · cummerbund · frock coat · morning coat · cravat · studs · patent leather · silk
Distinguishing mark of rank
- medalsAwards for achievement
- sashWaist-worn cloth strip
- crestHighest point or tuft
- heraldryStudy of armorial bearings
mantle · plume · brocade · cordons · livery · trappings · finery · accoutrements
Awards for achievement
- insigniaDistinguishing mark of rank
- epaulettesOrnamental shoulder insignia
- sashWaist-worn cloth strip
- beretFlat wool cap
sword · parade ground · inspection · review · colors · regiment · ceremonial · honor guard
Formal moving line
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- commencementAct of starting
- coronationCeremony installing a sovereign
investiture · ordination · convocation · gala · premiere · opera · red carpet · charity ball
tuxedo
Men's formal evening attire
- ballgownFormal full-length dress
- evening gownWoman's floor-length formal dress
- tailcoatCutaway evening jacket
white-tie · black-tie · cummerbund · frock coat · morning coat · cravat · studs · patent leather · silk · velvet
insignia
Distinguishing mark of rank
heraldry · mantle · plume · brocade · cordons · livery · trappings · finery · accoutrements · robes
medals
Awards for achievement
- insigniaDistinguishing mark of rank
- epaulettesOrnamental shoulder insignia
- sashWaist-worn cloth strip
beret · sword · parade ground · inspection · review · colors · regiment · ceremonial · honor guard · drill
procession
Formal moving line
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- commencementAct of starting
coronation · investiture · ordination · convocation · gala · premiere · opera · red carpet · charity ball · debutante ball
- formal attiretuxedo, evening gown, ball gown, bow tie, black tie
- military uniformscombat uniforms, parade uniform, service uniform, flight suits, ceremonial uniform
- naval uniformswhites, khaki uniform, khakis, working uniform, work uniform
- West Pointcadets, plebe, plebes, firsties, yearling
full dresscasual wear
Informal, comfortable clothing
street clothes · business casual · casual attire · loungewear · sportswear
full dressfield uniform
Tactical military garb
service dress · battle dress · fatigues · working uniform · field dress
full, dress, fully, dressing, dressed, undress, dresser, redress, undressed