Black Tie Dress Code: What to Wear, for Men and Women
Black tie is the evening formal dress code. It sits one step below white tie and one step above cocktail attire. You’ll see it on invitations for formal weddings, galas, awards dinners and charity balls.
Black tie for men
- Tuxedo: black or midnight navy, with satin or grosgrain lapels and matching trousers with a side stripe.
- Shirt: white, ideally with French cuffs for cufflinks. A pleated or plain bib front both work.
- Bow tie: black, and self-tied if you can manage it.
- Waist: a vest or cummerbund, or neither if the jacket stays buttoned.
- Shoes: polished black oxfords or patent-leather shoes, with black dress socks.
- Accessories: simple cufflinks and studs, and a white pocket square.
Black tie for women
- Dress: a floor-length evening gown is the classic choice.
- Alternatives: a very dressy cocktail dress or elegant evening separates are increasingly accepted, especially at weddings.
- Fabrics: satin, silk, chiffon, velvet and sequins all suit an evening event.
“Black tie optional” and “creative black tie”
Black tie optional means the hosts will wear black tie and you’re welcome to, but a dark suit and tie, or a cocktail dress, is fine. Creative black tie keeps the formality but invites personality: a velvet jacket, a patterned bow tie or a bold gown.
Common mistakes
- Wearing a regular necktie with a tuxedo.
- Letting trousers bunch over the shoe. Have them hemmed.
- Pairing a tuxedo with brown shoes.