Black tie dress code: what it means and what to wear
Formal evening wear: a tuxedo with a black bow tie for men, a floor-length evening gown for women.
- When
- Evening (after 6 pm)
- Trousers for women
- Depends
- Tie
- Yes
- Jeans
- No
- Sneakers
- No
On the invitation: „Black tie“, „Smokingas“, „Cravate noire“, „Dinner jacket“
When it's worn
Evening galas, charity dinners, formal weddings after 6 pm, award ceremonies, some premieres.
Colours
Men: black or midnight blue. Women: rich, deep evening colours; black is always right.
For women
A floor-length evening gown + elegant heels + a small clutch.
- A floor-length evening gown – the classic choice
- An elegant below-the-knee cocktail dress – accepted at many events
- A luxurious silk or velvet evening trouser suit – the modern option
Shoes: Heels or elegant low-heeled evening shoes; in summer, dressy sandals.
Example – timeless: A black crepe off-the-shoulder gown, diamond earrings, a satin clutch and black heels.
Full guide: for women →For men
A black or midnight-blue tuxedo + white dress shirt + black bow tie + patent shoes.
- A dinner jacket with silk lapels (peak or shawl)
- Trousers with a single silk stripe
- A white dress shirt with a covered placket or studs
- A black silk self-tie bow tie
- A cummerbund or low waistcoat (optional)
Shoes: Black patent oxfords or highly polished black calf.
Example – the classic: A black shawl-lapel tuxedo, a white covered-placket shirt, a black silk bow tie and patent oxfords.
Full guide: for men →In summer
In summer and hot climates men may wear a white or ivory dinner jacket; women choose chiffon, crepe and light silk.
In winter
In winter: velvet, brocade, heavy satin; for men, a black or navy wool overcoat over the tuxedo.
Where it comes from
The dinner jacket was born in the 1860s as a relaxed smoking jacket for the evening. In 1886 Americans brought it to the Tuxedo Park club in New York – hence 'tuxedo'. In a century, the casual jacket became the standard of formal evening dress.
Common mistakes
- Short or casual dresses
- White at a wedding
- A regular suit and tie
- Black shirts or a coloured bow tie
Morning dress
The most formal daytime dress: a morning coat for men, an elegant dress and hat for women.
Black tie optional
A tuxedo is welcome but a dark suit and tie is fine; for women, a long gown or elegant cocktail dress.
All dress codes
- White tie
- Morning dress
- Black tie
- Black tie optional
- Creative black tie
- Cocktail attire
- Business formal
- Semi-formal
- Festive attire
- Business professional
- Business casual
- Garden party attire
- Beach formal
- Smart casual
- Dressy casual
- Resort wear
- Casual
Events with this code:
Frequently asked
01What does Black tie mean?
Formal evening wear: a tuxedo with a black bow tie for men, a floor-length evening gown for women.
02Does black tie mean a floor-length gown for women?
Classically yes, but most events today accept an elegant below-the-knee cocktail dress or an evening trouser suit. The later and grander the event, the more a full-length gown fits.
03Can I wear a dark suit instead of a tuxedo?
For 'black tie', better not. If the invitation says 'black tie optional', a dark suit and tie is fine.
04Black tie: can women wear trousers?
It depends on the event: a luxurious trouser suit is often accepted, but the classic choice is a dress.
05Black tie: is a tie required?
Yes – a tie or bow tie is required here.
06Black tie: are jeans OK?
No – jeans are too casual for this code; choose tailored trousers.
07Black tie: are sneakers OK?
No – choose leather shoes.