A comprehensive guide to black tie attire for men, women, and more

Whether it's end-of-year festivities or an upcoming spring wedding, black tie attire is an eventual must-have for most people. Getting fancied up can be fun and easy, but for those who need a refresher, a good formal black tie look can leave a long-lasting positive impression.

What does "black tie attire" really mean?

Black tie attire is what one typically wears to a formal evening occasion. It's where you'll most commonly see people donning tuxedos and floor-length evening gowns. These styles are worn for formal events like balls, galas, formal dinners, weddings, and more.

Black tie wedding attire

A more extravagant wedding may require black tie attire. The wedding party will likely feature tuxedos, but for guests, a nice suit will do in a pinch. Dresses and skirts are often floor-length and shorter dresses have a formal flourish. It's also a great opportunity to showcase elegant jewelry, neck and bowties, and accessories.

Weddings often mean photographs—if you expect to be in a lot of them, consider matching your look to the hosts' color pallet. The invitation will likely give you a clue, but asking is appropriate so long as you ask well before the event. 

In the case of Western weddings, unless the invitation or host specifically states otherwise, all or mostly white is not appropriate cocktail attire for a wedding. 

Black tie optional

"Optional" just means that the host has flexibility in formality. The idea is that you shouldn't need to buy anything you don't already have, but you should still be sporting your best.

Don't have a tuxedo? A nice suit and a dress shirt are just fine. Do you lack an evening gown but have a closet full of cocktail dresses? Not a problem, find the one that looks the most formal and go forth.

White tie vs. black tie

White tie is the most formal of formal attire. It's for very official state events, which most people are unlikely to attend. 

It requires bowties, black tailcoats, and ball or evening gowns. It's most commonly required for Western royal events. If you're attending a state ball soon, you are sadly on the wrong page.

Black tie vs. cocktail attire

For cocktail parties, wedding receptions, and other less formal gatherings, dress pants, blazers, and above-the-knee cocktail dresses are more appropriate than a tuxedo. Cocktail attire just means it's a little more relaxed than a formal event.

The two dress codes can sometimes be a substitute for the other in a pinch. Dress pants and dress shirts, for example, would not look out of place at either kind of event.

Related: What is cocktail attire?

When to wear black tie attire: weddings, galas, and more

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