Black-tie Wedding Attire

etiquette, guidelines,

and a bit of a twist

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Attire Inspiration, Details, and Examples

the black-tie dress CODE is the second most formal event attire, falling just below white-tie event attire.

We’ve outlined the details and general etiquette of black-tie weddings to answer any potential questions our guests may have.

Color Etiquette

As with many weddings, black-tie attire or otherwise, women should refrain from donning shades of whites, ivories, off-white creams, and the like.

Black-tie attire generally sets an expectation for guests to wear garments in muted tones, dark or deep hues such as black, or near-black colors, and jewel tones like emerald or burgundies.

Avoid colors that are notably bright when attending black-tie events, such as fuchsia or neon hues, as well as spring tones like pastel pinks or blues.

Fabric & Materials

Considering the level of formality of Black-Tie Attire, avoid wearing clothing consisting of casual fabrics and materials, such as denim, tweed, or khaki.

Fabric and materials that are often worn to black-tie events include silks, satin, crepe, and so on.

Now for the twist….

We don’t want our guests to feel limited in how they may express themselves through their choice of wardrobe. So, if you feel that the conventional black-tie dress code is a tad rigid for your preference, we encourage you to embrace a fun variation:

creative black tie attire

The primary difference of creative black tie attire is that it welcomes trends and allows you to bring interest to a typically inflexible dress code.

Events which call for creative black tie attire, also occasionally referred to as “Hollywood black tie,” encourage guests to sport all the looks that would abide by the traditional black tie etiquette, but also welcome guests to add interest and personal touch if they please.

With black tie etiquette at the core of this variation, Creative black tie attire is no less formal than the traditional dress code, just a lot more fun.

Guests may implement their creative touch by way of adding a bit of color or subtle texture, dressing in a trendier or more unique silhouette or fit, or they may add interest to a simplistic outfit by introducing a bold makeup look or hairstyle. Some potential approaches to these creative flairs are listed below:

Adding Interest Through…

Color:

In addition to the color palette of black and near-black colors traditionally accepted in black tie etiquette, creative black tie outfits may incorporate any of the following colors for visual interest:

  • jewel tones - deep sapphire or navy, muted emerald, burgundies, etc.

  • Neutrals and earth tones - taupe, browns, charcoals, and grays

  • Sunset hues - terracotta, rust, mustard, copper, marigold, and other muted yellows, oranges, and reds

Texture:

While black tie attire entails a relatively limited variety of textures and fabrics to choose from, creative black tie etiquette allows you to widen the options for your entire outfit, or in subtle accents, to materials like the following:

  • Velvet and velvet burnouts

  • Silk, satin, and satin burnouts

  • Other luxe fabrics: taffeta, lurex, monochromatic jacquard, crepe, etc.

Silhouettes and fit:

Traditional black tie attire calls for modest, floor-length gowns and tuxedos. These expectations apply to the creative black tie variation, however, there is slightly more flexibility in the way they are executed:

  • Floor-length gowns may incorporate trending styles or less strict features such as asymmetric necklines, a tasteful leg slit, structural details like boning in the bodice, and other fun elements

  • Alternatives to wearing gowns are also welcome. Possible alternatives include formal jumpsuits and tailored

Details and examples by outfit type:

Women attending a black-tie event are traditionally expected to wear an evening dress or a formal, elegant, floor-length gown.

Gowns with a variety of silhouettes are acceptable including sheath, trumpet, a-line, and more. However, cocktail dresses and dresses with hemlines falling above the ankle or higher do not fall within black-tie etiquette.

Gowns

Gown alternatives

While gowns have been the norm in women’s black-tie attire, the etiquette surrounding this formal dress code is modernizing as time progresses.

If any of our guests do not feel at their most comfortable or their most authentic selves whilst sporting a gown, we encourage you to wear an alternative that still falls within the black-tie dress code but makes you feel comfortable and confident.

Gown alternatives include elegant jumpsuits and formal, evening suits. Although these attire options are not gowns, the hem should still not fall above the ankle.

Men’s attire

Black-Tie Attire for men generally translates to a black tuxedo jacket with matching trousers, a formal, white shirt, cuff links, a black bow tie, a black cummerbund or vest, and black patent shoes with black dress socks.

Although the dress code for our wedding is certainly on the more formal end of the spectrum, we want our guests to feel confident. WE understand that many individuals do not feel their most comfortable in a tuxedo, but fear not! Formal suits are a perfect alternative to a tuxedo for this event.

If you feel the urge to add a personal touch to your ensemble, we encourage our guests to put their own creative spin on this otherwise conventional “mold.”

A few ideas on how you can make the black-tie dress code your own are listed below:

Color:

  • Opt for a tuxedo or suit in a deep burgundy or other deep, muted tones for a subtle upgrade to your complete ensemble

  • If you prefer to incorporate a bit bolder of a hue such as emerald green, a lighter neutral tone, or terracotta, try working the color into a single statement piece to add interest to the outfit without taking away from the formality of your look

    • Possible statement pieces where color may be incorporated include:

    • If you choose to incorporate color to accent your ensemble, it is recommended to limit the use of color to one statement piece while keeping the remainder of the outfit fairly aligned with the traditional black-tie etiquette. This helps maintain a balance between modern, fashionable, and appropriate for the event.

  • Dinner jacket

  • Bow-tie or pocket square

  • Cummerbund

  • Vest

Texture:

Tuxedos are typically made from wool or a wool blend with satin accents most recognizably seen in the lapels or collars of the tuxedo jacket and the facing of the outseams of the pant legs. In creative black-tie attire, other materials may be incorporated to add interest to the outfit such as velvet, grosgrain, and jacquard fabrics.

Style:

There are a few variations of tuxedo styles that are accepted in the black tie and creative black tie guidelines. Below are a few of these style options so our guests may hone in on what they feel suits their style best.