In some cases, dresscode for businesses is defined as Tenue de Ville, and generally means business clothing. This tends to refer to suits for men, or at the very least, slacks, coordinating jackets, a formal shirt and shoes.

For women Tenue de Ville is a bit more loosely constructed. It can mean dresses suitable for business, skirts and tops, or women’s business suits.

It is very clear in translation that Tenue de Ville does not refer to formal clothing, i.e. tuxedos, full-length ball gowns or morning coats. Instead it is the normal clothing you would wear to the office or to a semi-dressy gathering, perhaps to a friend’s home for dinner or out to a mid-priced restaurant. Those who define Tenue de Ville as formal, do so incorrectly.

As much as this designation does not imply overdressing, it also means not under-dressing. A short list of things you would not wear if business wear is specified include the following:

• Jogging suits
• Sweats
• Shorts
• Bare legs
• Revealing tops
• Tee shirts