1.
informal dress; semi-formal attire; simplified outfit
Clothing that is less formal than full formal dress but still appropriate for the occasion. Used when an event or situation does not require full ceremonial or business attire.
略装でお越しください。
Please come in informal attire.
式は略装でも構いません。
Semi-formal dress is fine for the ceremony.
招待状に「略装にて」と書いてあったので、スーツにネクタイなしで出席した。
The invitation said 'semi-formal attire,' so I attended in a suit without a tie.
Composed of 略 (abbreviation; simplification) and 装 (clothing; outfit). Commonly appears on invitations and event notices as a dress code indicator. In Japanese etiquette, 略装 means the attendee need not wear the most formal version of attire — for men, this typically means a suit without a tie; for women, a smart outfit that is not a full formal gown.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 略装でお越しください: please come in informal attire
- 略装にて: in informal dress (written on invitations)
- 略装で参加する: to attend in semi-formal attire
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 正装: full formal dress — the most formal level of attire for ceremonies
- 平服: everyday clothes; informal dress — often appears on invitations and can cause confusion since it actually means 'smart casual' rather than truly casual wear
- カジュアル: casual — the most relaxed dress code, borrowed from English