Black tie for women: what to wear
A floor-length evening gown + elegant heels + a small clutch.
Evening galas, charity dinners, formal weddings after 6 pm, award ceremonies, some premieres.
- When
- Evening (after 6 pm)
- Trousers for women
- Depends
- Jeans
- No
- Sneakers
- No
Three outfit ideas
Timeless
A black crepe off-the-shoulder gown, diamond earrings, a satin clutch and black heels.
In colour
An emerald silk gown with a slit, gold jewellery and gold sandals.
Trouser option
A black tuxedo-style suit with silk lapels, a satin camisole, statement earrings and heels.
What to wear
- 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.
Accessories
A small evening bag, statement earrings, a wrap or stole.
What to avoid
- Short or casual dresses
- White at a wedding
Colours
Men: black or midnight blue. Women: rich, deep evening colours; black is always right.
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.
Details that make the difference
- Hem the gown for your actual shoes: a long dress should just graze the floor in the heels you'll wear.
- Under silk and satin wear seamless, skin-tone underwear: these fabrics show every line.
- Check that your clutch fits a phone, lipstick and keys before the night.
- Bring a wrap or stole – halls get cool and the trip home at night is cold.
About black tie
Formal evening wear: a tuxedo with a black bow tie for men, a floor-length evening gown for women. 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.
Morning dress for women
An elegant knee- or calf-length dress + a hat or fascinator + gloves.
Other codes for women
Frequently asked
01Black tie: can women wear trousers?
It depends on the event: a luxurious trouser suit is often accepted, but the classic choice is a dress.
02Black tie: are jeans OK?
No – jeans are too casual for this code; choose tailored trousers.
03Black tie: are sneakers OK?
No – choose leather shoes.
04Does 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.
05Can 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.