White tie for women: what to wear
A floor-length ball gown + long gloves + fine jewellery.
State dinners, royal balls, the Nobel banquet, some opera and charity balls. Always in the evening.
- When
- Evening only (after 6 pm)
- Trousers for women
- No
- Jeans
- No
- Sneakers
- No
Three outfit ideas
The classic
A midnight-blue silk taffeta ball gown, white opera gloves, diamond earrings and a small silver clutch.
Winter ball
A floor-length burgundy velvet gown with covered shoulders, black opera gloves, a faux-fur stole and pearls.
Minimalist
A black satin column gown with a square neckline, ivory gloves, one statement necklace and closed high heels.
What to wear
- A floor-length gown – silk, satin, taffeta, velvet
- Opera-length gloves, taken off to eat
- A stole or silk wrap over the shoulders
Shoes
Closed heels or elegant evening shoes matching the gown.
Accessories
A small clutch and fine jewellery; traditionally married women may wear a tiara.
What to avoid
- Cocktail-length dresses
- Trouser suits (unless the hosts allow)
Colours
Men: black and white only. Women: any colour, except white at weddings and loud prints.
In summer
The code doesn't change with the season; in summer women can choose lighter silks and chiffon.
In winter
In winter: velvet, heavy satin, a long evening coat or a faux-fur stole.
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 white tie
The most formal evening dress code: tailcoat for men, a full-length ball gown for women. White tie descends from 19th-century evening dress, when the tailcoat was a gentleman's everyday evening wear. In the 20th century the more comfortable dinner jacket replaced it, so today it appears only on rare occasions – the Nobel banquet in Stockholm, the Vienna Opera Ball, state banquets.
Morning dress for women
An elegant knee- or calf-length dress + a hat or fascinator + gloves.
Other codes for women
Frequently asked
01White tie: can women wear trousers?
Traditionally no – this code expects a long gown.
02White tie: are jeans OK?
No – jeans are too casual for this code; choose tailored trousers.
03White tie: are sneakers OK?
No – choose leather shoes.
04What's the difference between white tie and black tie?
White tie means a tailcoat, white waistcoat and white bow tie; black tie means a tuxedo with a black bow tie. White tie is more formal and far rarer.