What to Wear to a Black-Tie Event (2024)

FAQs

What is the dress code for a black tie event? ›

A black-tie optional dress code gives guests a couple of formal options to choose from. Men are requested to wear a tuxedo, but can opt for a dark suit. Women can choose either a formal evening gown, a shorter co*cktail dress, or dressy separates.

Understanding what not to wear to a black tie event is just as important. Steer clear of overly casual pieces like jeans, shorts, or casual T-shirts. Also, overly revealing or flashy dresses might not align with the sophisticated nature of a black tie event.

What's a Classic Black Tie Outfit for Men? For the modern man, the standard outfit for the black tie dress code consists of the following: a black/dark blue tuxedo, a white tuxedo shirt, a black silk bow tie, a cumme*rbund or waistcoat, patent shoes and a white pocket square.

Not quite. Both refer to formal, fancy attire, but the term “formal” is more general, giving guests a wider range of options to choose from. “Black tie” is more specific and generally the second most formal dress code (after white tie), and men must always wear tuxedos and bow ties to black tie events.

What fabric should women wear? Considering black tie events are almost exclusively in the evening and demand a certain degree of ceremony, they render some fabrics inappropriate. For safety, stick to plush, rich fabrics - the most obvious being silks, satin, taffeta, tulle, lace and chiffon.

Bright colors – In general, darker colors are the safest, smartest choices for black-tie occasions. As explained in Corporette, “Even if it's not black-tie, buy a black dress or another muted color – although color is acceptable to wear at some events, this can vary greatly from event to event.”

Classic black tuxedos are the standard at formal events, but other dark colors are usually acceptable, such as: Dark blue. Dark grey. Burgundy.

For men, black-tie denotes a single or double-breasted dinner jacket with a black silk bow tie (properly referred to as a dinner jacket, but commonly called "tuxedo" or "tux."). For women, an invitation to a black tie event means wearing a long, floor length evening dresses or evening separates.

No, a cumme*rbund isn't a necessary accessory to combine with a tuxedo. Despite its history, it's actually a fairly recent addition to the tuxedo ensemble, and one that isn't as important as your bow tie or pocket square.

This includes events like a dinner, ball, or wedding party. Other examples of black-tie events include proms, gala promotions, fundraisers, and cruise ship events. There are certain examples of black-tie being worn at opera houses and in academic circles. However, these events don't require such apparel very often.

What is black tie optional attire for a man? ›

The “optional” in Black Tie Optional means you'll still be dressed in formal menswear – just not necessarily a traditional tuxedo. You can branch out into dark colored suits as well, preferably in shades of black, navy or charcoal. Dark suits with a subtle pattern can be a smart way to play with the dress code.

Yes, there are certain colour conventions associated with this dress code. The tuxedo or dinner jacket, along with the trousers, should ideally be black. Lighter shades such as grey, tan or light blue may be acceptable for summer events.

Black tie is slightly less formal, typically allowing men to wear tuxedos or dinner jackets and women to wear co*cktail dresses and long dresses. White tie is the most formal of all dress codes, requiring men to wear white bow ties and black tailcoats and women to wear evening or ball gowns.

Keep it classic with black dress trousers and shoes, and choose a dress shirt with ruffles or folds on the placket for an extra bit of interest. Remember to look to your wedding invite for this one – some black-tie dress codes may not include the option to wear white.

Tie: Always a bow tie for the black tie dress code. You can dare step into using other colours, but not white. That's strictly reserved for the white tie dress code.