What to Wear to a Black Tie Wedding

What do you wear to a black tie wedding? Formal events always come with a dress code to follow, and black tie weddings are probably the strictest of the bunch. As an elegant, sophisticated occasion, you can expect the dress code of a black tie wedding to be described in a similar way. You likely already know that you should wear something refined and respectful for the event, but what exactly does that entail?

The nuances of a black tie wedding can be a bit overwhelming, especially if this is your first black tie event. In this article, we’re going to explain what to wear to a black tie wedding so you can make sure you know how to make a lasting impression.

This article discusses appropriate wedding guest attire for both men and women, the classic tuxedo and evening gown, and the accessories that complete the ensemble. We'll also let you in on all our secrets on color palettes and fabric choices so you can truly look your best. 

What Does a Woman Wear to a Black Tie Wedding?

You’ve probably been told you need to wear an evening gown for a black tie event, but there’s a lot more that goes into this decision. Here, we’ll take you through our recommendations for evening gowns, accessories to go with them, and hair and makeup to tie it all together.

The Evening Gown: Making What to Wear for a Black Tie Wedding Easy

As far as a woman's black tie attire goes, the evening gown is the best choice. This gown should be floor-length and made from silk, satin, velvet, or lace; anything luxurious. Options for the neckline range from a classic sweetheart to a sophisticated halter, but we generally recommend opting for a more modest style that complements your figure. 

If you’re confused about the decision for the fabric and style of your gown, consider the season when you’ll be attending; a lightweight silk gown is best for a summer wedding, but a velvet gown might do you better in the winter. This does come down to preference, however.

Can a Woman Wear a Pantsuit to a Black Tie Event?

Absolutely, as long as the pantsuit fits well and is formal enough!

Black Tie Accessories

Accessories will help you complete your black tie ensemble. For your essentials, go with a delicate clutch or a small evening bag. As for jewelry, we usually recommend the classics: a diamond necklace, elegant earrings, and a bracelet.

High-heeled shoes, preferably in a neutral color, will help elevate your look a touch. When choosing your accessories, make sure they complement your evening gown and overall style, which means no overly large or flashy accessories that might detract from the theme.

Black Tie Hairstyles and Makeup Tips

Like your accessories, the hair and makeup should complement your evening gown and overall look. If you’re unsure, take your pick between the classics: a chignon, updo, or soft curls.

Keep your makeup natural and sophisticated while highlighting your features with subtle contouring, mascara, and a touch of lipstick. Choose a color palette that complements your skin tone and the overall aesthetic of your outfit. Color palettes are discussed in detail in a later section.

What to Wear to a Black Tie Wedding: Men’s Attire

The tuxedo is to men’s black tie attire what the evening gown is to women’s. It’s the standard suit, but it doesn’t have to be the standard style every time. 

The jacket of your tuxedo should fit impeccably, with a tailored silhouette that accentuates your physique. The trousers should be hemmed to just above the ankle. The fitting of the tuxedo jacket can really make or break your whole outfit, so make sure it gets the appropriate attention.

You should choose a black patent leather belt and your best pair of dress shoes (we recommend oxfords or wingtips).

A pocket square can also add a touch of personality to your tuxedo jacket. Don’t forget your timepiece - a classy Tissot can add a lot of sophistication to your look without breaking the bank.

Grooming is an everyday essential, but it’s all the more important if you want a polished black tie look. Whichever hairstyle you choose, make sure it’s neatly styled and well-groomed. If you have facial hair, it should be trimmed and properly maintained. 

What Colors Can You Wear to a Black Tie Wedding?

At a black tie event, your options may be a bit limited in the color palette, depending on how strict the dress code is. If you want to go with something solid and dependable, black is the traditional color that you just can’t go wrong with. This will work for both tuxedos and evening gowns. 

That said, there are other options that can work just as well too. For men, our favorite is a midnight blue tuxedo or even a charcoal gray suit. For women, you can consider a navy blue, emerald green, or dark silver evening gown as well.

What Colors Not to Wear to a Black Tie Wedding

The biggest guideline to keep in mind with different colors is not to go for really flashy colors, like neons or bold bright shades, that might stand out in a distracting manner. After all, you don't want to distract from the party or the bride's dress.

If you can avoid wearing the same color as the bridesmaid dresses, you should try to do so.

Is It Rude to Wear a Black Dress to a Black Tie Wedding? 

For the most part, no; black dresses are standard attire for a black tie wedding. The only exception is if the couple getting married specifically requests that you don’t wear black. In this case, go with an alternative, like navy, burgundy, or deep purple.

Other Considerations to Make When Choosing What to Wear at a Black Tie Wedding

Now that you know what to wear to a black tie wedding as a guest, you can get into the nitty-gritty of your overall look; that’s what we’ll cover in this section.

Fabric Quality

The quality of the fabric used in your outfit plays a much bigger role in how you’ll look than people often expect. High-quality fabrics that are both durable and luxurious are a must here. For women, these would be silk, satin, velvet, and lace. Not only do they look the part, but they also drape beautifully and make you look graceful regardless of the setting.  

Fit and Tailoring

As we emphasized earlier, fit and tailoring can really make or break your whole look. For men, your jacket should fit snugly across the shoulders without being too tight. The sleeves should be the correct length, which means ending just above the wrist bone. 

For women, the evening gown should flatter your figure and curves. The tailoring should be such that it fits snugly around the bodice and waist, with a flowing skirt that goes with your body type.

Comfort

We often see people overlooking comfort in favor of looking their best, but you don’t necessarily have to choose between the two. A good-looking outfit can be your most comfortable one as long as you choose it right. For starters, whichever attire you go with should let you move freely and enjoy the evening. 

Women should look at the length of the dress in this respect (does it let you move around easily?) Heels are the most common choice for shoes, so make sure they’re your most comfortable pair. 

What to Wear to a Black Tie Optional Wedding

You can follow the same tips in this guide when choosing a black tie optional wedding guest outfit. Black tie optional is a little bit more lenient, so you might have a bit more wiggle room with color choice, but if the wedding is taking place at a very high-end venue, it’s best to just go with black tie attire.

Mastering the Art of Black Tie Attire

And there you have it! By now, you should know everything you need to look your absolute best for the evening. Once again, we’d like to emphasize the importance of your fitting and tailoring; it’ll define not just how good you look, but how comfortable you are at the wedding. 

You also have options with colors, though we’d generally recommend staying on the darker end of the spectrum with your choice. Last but not least, remember to be your most confident self at the event - your attire will follow suit, and you’ll make the best possible impression on your peers. If the dress code is slightly more relaxed, check out our guide on what to wear to a formal wedding.