Formal and Casual Attire Guidelines

Formal Attire

• Tailcoats are considered formal attire for events at night, in enclosed spaces.
• Tailcoats are worn for events like dinners, parties, dances, receptions, theatre and opera.
• Smoking is formal attire for events at night, but not necessarily as formal as a tailcoat.

Women's Attire

• There are fewer strict rules for women's clothing compared to men's.
• Fashion is more influential, with elegance a priority.
• Clothing choices should complement the companion.
• Long dresses are considered appropriate for evening events.
• Short dresses are acceptable for daytime or cocktail events.

Morning Attire

• Simple attire is preferred for weddings and other morning events.
• Long dresses are uncommon unless specifically requested.
• Casual attire, including jeans, is acceptable in the summer.
• T-shirts and sports shoes are not considered appropriate for events, regardless of time of day.

Afternoon Attire

• Makeup and jewelry should be more bold than morning attire.
• High-quality fabric is essential for all garments.
• Heels may be higher, if desired.
• Cocktail dresses can be considered for evening events, but should reach the ankle at least.
• A tailored suit jacket is appropriate for cocktail parties.
• Short sleeves are acceptable for afternoon events.
• Sequins and feathers are prohibited in afternoon attire.

Evening Attire

• A wide range of attire is acceptable, with a focus on elegance.
• Long gloves, daring jewelry, feathers, and sequins are all appropriate.
• Long dresses are considered very appropriate for formal evening events.

Table Etiquette

• The host presides over the table, with the person of highest category taking precedence at official events.
• Ideally, there should be only one presidency, but exceptions exist for events with two authorities of equal rank.
• Ladies are given the same honors as spouses.
• Spouses should not be seated together, but alternated with other guests of equal rank.
• Seats to the right of the presidency are considered more honorable.
• Guests are arranged in order of precedence, alternating between left and right.

Types of Presidencies

• French System: The first presidency is facing the entrance door in the center of a rectangular table. The second is opposite.
  • Advantages: Facilitates important conversations, promotes unity among high-ranking guests.
  • Disadvantages: Hinders conversations at the ends of the table, highlights category differences.
• Anglo-Saxon System: Presidencies are at the ends of the table, with the first facing the entrance.
  • Advantages: Promotes more uniform and general conversations, disguises category differences.
  • Disadvantage: Separates high-ranking guests, hindering unity among them.

Table Forms

• Single Rectangular Table: Allows for both presidencies to be placed across from each other.
  • Advantages: Clear and easy ordering and placement of guests.
• Single U-shaped Table: Extension of the rectangular table, allowing for more guests.
• Multiple Tables: Suitable for large gatherings and formal events.
  • Includes a presidential table for high-ranking guests with additional tables for other guests.

Guest Placement

• Each guest should have a designated place marked with a card or plan.
• Plans should be placed at the entrance of the venue to guide guests.
• Sending each guest a small plan indicating their designated location is recommended, to ensure a smooth and organized event.

Flag Placement

• Flags must be placed in a specific order.
• In general, they are placed alphabetically.
• Spanish Autonomous Community flags are placed in order of their creation date.
• The Spanish flag must always preside over the other flags, and be placed at a higher level.
• When placing national, regional, and city flags, the national flag is placed in the center, slightly higher, with the regional flag to its right and the city flag to its left.
• In the case of two flags, the national flag is placed on the right, with the regional flag on the left.

Military Honors

• The highest authority of the Defense will occupy a seat on the presidency.
• The highest civil authority present will also have a reserved place on the presidency.
• The Secretariats of State, Undersecretariat, and General Secretariats of the Ministry of Defense are given military honors like presented weapon and national anthem in short version, when they preside over military acts or visit units.

Honors to Military Leaders

• Chief of Defense Staff and Chiefs of Staff of Army, Navy, and Air Force: Entitled to honors like presented weapon, national anthem in short version, 17-gun salute, and “Long Live Spain!”. Honors are given upon taking office, during military acts, and the first time they visit units.

• General Officers:

  • Army, Navy, and Air Force generals - Presented weapon, national anthem in short version, 17-gun salute, and “Long Live Spain!”.
  • Lieutenant generals and admirals - Presented weapon, march of infantry, 15-gun salute, and three voices of “Long Live Spain!”.
  • Division generals and vice admirals - Weapon on the shoulder, march of infantry, 13-gun salute, and two voices of “Long Live Spain!”.
  • Brigade generals and rear admirals - Unslung weapon, march of infantry, 11-gun salute, and one voice of “Long Live Spain!”.
  • Honors are given upon taking office, during military acts, and the first time they visit units under their command.

Flag Order

• The national flag always holds the place of highest honor and precedes all other flags.
• The flags are placed from highest to lowest importance.
• The national flag should always be central and at a higher level than other flags.