Dress Codes & Style Guides
What to Wear to a Black-Tie Event: Dresses, Rules and Etiquette
Black tie is a formal evening dress code. Women traditionally wear a floor-length evening gown, and men wear a tuxedo with a black bow tie. A very elegant cocktail dress or a dressy formal pantsuit can work when the invitation says "black tie optional," but for a strict black-tie event, a long gown is the safe choice.
In This Guide
- 1What Does Black Tie Mean?
- 2What Dress Should I Wear to a Black-Tie Event?
- 3Can I Wear a Cocktail Dress to a Black-Tie Event?
- 4Black Tie vs. Other Formal Dress Codes
- 5How Should I Accessorize for Black Tie?
- 6What Do Men Wear to a Black-Tie Event?
- 7Sherri Hill Gowns for Black-Tie Events
- 8Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Black Tie Mean?
Black tie is one of the most formal dress codes, second only to white tie. It is usually reserved for evening events: galas, charity balls, formal weddings, award dinners, the opera and many holiday parties. When an invitation says black tie, the host is asking guests to dress in formal evening wear.
What Dress Should I Wear to a Black-Tie Event?
Choose a floor-length gown. Beyond that, black tie leaves plenty of room for your own style:
- Silhouette: fitted, mermaid, A-line and ball gown silhouettes all suit black tie. A slit or an open back is fine, as long as the overall look stays polished.
- Fabric: satin, mikado, crepe, sequins, beading and lace all read as formal. Casual fabrics such as cotton or denim don't.
- Color: black is always right. Deep jewel tones like emerald, wine, navy and royal blue, and metallics like gold and silver, are classic for evening.
Not sure which silhouette suits you? See our guide to dresses for body types, and use the Size Guide to find your size.
Can I Wear a Cocktail Dress to a Black-Tie Event?
At a strict black-tie event, a floor-length gown is expected. A knee-length or midi cocktail dress is usually acceptable only when the invitation says "black tie optional" or the host has said shorter dresses are fine. If you choose a shorter dress, make it unmistakably formal, in satin, sequins or beading rather than a daytime fabric.
Black Tie vs. Other Formal Dress Codes
| Dress code | What women wear | What men wear |
|---|---|---|
| White tie | Floor-length ball gown, often with long gloves | Tailcoat, white bow tie and waistcoat |
| Black tie | Floor-length evening gown | Tuxedo and black bow tie |
| Black tie optional | Floor-length gown, or a very elegant cocktail dress or formal pantsuit | Tuxedo, or a dark suit and tie |
| Creative black tie | Formal gown or formal separates with a fashion-forward or themed twist | Tuxedo with personal touches |
| Formal | Floor-length gown or an elegant cocktail dress | Dark suit and tie |
For weddings, see what to wear to a black-tie wedding and our guide to every wedding guest dress code.
How Should I Accessorize for Black Tie?
- Shoes: heels or dressy flats you can stand in all evening. Bring them to your fittings, since your gown should be hemmed for the shoes you'll wear.
- Bag: a small clutch or evening bag.
- Jewelry: choose one focal piece, such as statement earrings or a necklace, and let a heavily beaded gown speak for itself.
- Outerwear: a wrap or an elegant coat for winter events.
- Hair and makeup: polished and evening-appropriate: an updo, a sleek style or soft waves.
What Do Men Wear to a Black-Tie Event?
A black or midnight navy tuxedo, a white dress shirt, a black bow tie and black dress shoes. A dinner jacket in white or ivory is sometimes worn at warm-weather events.
Sherri Hill Gowns for Black-Tie Events
These gowns from the Sherri Hill Fall 2026 collection suit a black-tie evening. To try one on, find an authorized retailer with Find A Store. If the store doesn't have your color or size, the retailer can check whether it's available to order.
Style 56860
A beaded gown with an open back and a slit, in black with gold. A fully beaded gown is a glamorous choice for black tie. See style 56860.
Style 57253
An off-the-shoulder stretch satin gown on a corset bodice. It comes in 21 colors, from black and burgundy to gold and silver, in sizes 000 through 26. See style 57253.
Style 58042
An off-the-shoulder fitted gown with a lace corset bodice and a stretch satin skirt, in deep colors such as brown, wine, emerald, navy and black. See style 58042.
Style 58311
A strapless corset bodice over a sequin skirt, made in black and wine. Sequins catch the light at an evening event. See style 58311.
Style 58163
A fitted strapless gown in hot fix stones with a high slit, in 17 colors including red, emerald, gold, chocolate and black. See style 58163.
Style 58226
A fitted mikado gown with pearls along the neckline. Structured fabrics like mikado look polished in a softer color, too. See style 58226.
See more in evening dresses and prom dresses, and get ready for the season with our guides to what to wear to a gala and what to wear to a ball.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dress code for black tie?
Black tie means formal evening wear: a floor-length gown for women and a tuxedo with a black bow tie for men.
Can I wear a short dress to a black-tie event?
Only if the invitation says "black tie optional" or the host says shorter dresses are fine. At a strict black-tie event, wear a floor-length gown.
Can I wear black to a black-tie event?
Yes. A black gown is a classic choice for black tie. At a wedding, check whether the couple has asked guests to avoid any colors.
Can I wear a jumpsuit or pantsuit to black tie?
A dressy formal jumpsuit or pantsuit can work at a black-tie optional or creative black-tie event. For a strict black-tie event, a floor-length gown is the safer choice.
What is the difference between black tie and black tie optional?
At black tie, gowns and tuxedos are expected. Black tie optional means formal wear is encouraged but not required, so an elegant cocktail dress, or a dark suit for men, is also acceptable.
What is the difference between black tie and white tie?
White tie is the most formal dress code: ball gowns, often with long gloves, and tailcoats with white bow ties. Black tie is one step less formal: evening gowns and tuxedos.
