What to Wear for a Black Tie Event for Ladies?

Have you ever received an invitation to an event with the note “black tie” or “white tie” on it? What is black tie and what are the differences between the black and white tie? It's normal to be confused when you first receive such an invitation! Maybe you came across this blog while browsing the web looking for the answer!

Perhaps, you have already had some idea about the formality of the event from the requirement of the color. On formal or semi-formal occasions, people always tend to wear black or white clothes. What's more, people usually don't wear ties on casual occasions. But do you really have to take instructions literally and wear a black tie? To know more about the dressing codes of a black tie event, keep reading!

What Is a Black Tie Event?

In fact, “black tie” uses the rhetorical device of metonymy to a large extent, using the black tie that often appears on formal occasions to refer to formal or semi-formal attire. Therefore, generally speaking, the occasions that require wearing black tie are mostly wedding banquets or award ceremonies. There is no doubt that you will almost never be asked to wear black tie at a party or gathering with friends.

But theblack tie is more about formal wear for men. As you often see, men usually need to wear a black tuxedo with a black tie on formal occasions. But this is not a dress code for women. On more traditional formal occasions that require “black tie”, ladies usually need to wear evening gowns, the classic ones of which are floor-length, gorgeous long dresses made of higher-end fabrics such as silk or satin. However, formality does not mean sacrificing the sense of design. Designs such as backless, slits, and one-shoulder are all allowed. However, on semi-formal occasions, or formal occasions dominated by young people, ladies do not have to wear a floor-length dress strictly. Midi or mini dresses that are similar to cocktail attire are also acceptable.

So what are the differences between the white tie and the black tie? The two dress codes may seem to require opposite colors of clothing, but in reality, white tie is more formal than black tie. Most of the formal occasions that ordinary people may encounter will only require wearing black tie, and encountering an occasion that requires wearing a white tie is perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people, because the occasions that require wearing a white tie mainly include royal events, state banquets or Nobel Prize ceremonies.

In fact, under the requirements of the black tie dress code, women have more choices than men. Because men must wear a black tuxedo with a black tie, there is not much space for creativity in their outfit. For women, black tie is perhaps just an image, just to let you know the formality of the occasion. You don't even have to wear a completely black dress. So when you receive an invitation to an event that indicates black tie, don't worry, you can still show your fashion sense.

How to choose a Dress for a Black Tie Event?

Although women's black tie attire does not actually require all black or a tie, due to the formality of the occasion, it is best not to choose overly bright colors, and these overly bright colors are not easy to match with other fashion items either. Maybe you think that since it is not strictly required to wear black, you need to avoid black. In fact, there is no need to do so. After all, black is the safest and most versatile option no matter when and where. However, if you really don’t like black, you can also use other understated colors instead, such as burgundy, navy blue, etc. At the same time, the color of your dress can also be adjusted according to the season. A mint green dress is particularly suitable for spring. In contrast, a dark green dress is more suitable for autumn and winter.

When choosing the style, on the one hand you need to consider your figure shape, on the other hand, overly fancy styles also need to be avoided. You can choose a dress that is off shoulder or backless, but at the same time, it is best to pair it with a light cardigan to make your overall look more decent. In addition, don't blindly choose some clothes with a strong sense of design, because the design of this clothes may not necessarily suit your figure characteristics. For example, some women with obvious collarbones and straight shoulders are very suitable for wearing off shoulder dresses and tops, but for women with broad shoulders or sloping shoulders, it will be more likely to expose the shortcomings of their figure.

The fabric you choose for your evening gown depends not only on the weather, but also on the style you want to create. In summer, silk and satin are both good choices. If you want to create a light effect, choose silk and pair it with accessories made of organza. If you like a good drape, then satin is the best choice. In the fall and winter, if you want to keep warm while looking luxurious, you can choose a velvet evening gown. Or, if there is air conditioning, you can try a thin dress with a fur coat. For the sake of animal protection, choose an eco-friendly fur coat, which will have a similar texture to real fur.

Finally, you also need to pay attention to the shape of the neckline. Too deep V-necks and too low necklines are also inappropriate and need to be avoided. Although turtlenecks provide extra warmth in the winter, they can easily make you look bulkier if your neck isn't long enough.

Accessories for a Black Tie Event for Ladies

When attending a black tie event, you need to pay special attention to whether you look appropriate and elegant. Accessories are of course an essential part of creating an elegant image. Whether it is jewelry, a bag, or a pair of shoes, you need to choose the one that best suit your overall style to complete your look.

Cute or dramatic jewelry is obviously not appropriate for black tie events. For these occasions, high-quality gemstones are the best choice. Gemstones such as diamonds and pearls are suitable as earrings. However, whether it is pearl or gemstone, do not choose too large one, so that it can appear delicate and understated. If you have a round face, you can choose a pair of long earrings to modify your face shape. Cheap materials such as colored resin should also be avoided. For an off shoulder or V-neck dress, a short necklace is a more appropriate choice.

A pair of high heels is probably a must-have accessory for black tie events, but for the pursuit of formality, not to choose open-toed high heels. Other types of high heels, such as pointed toed and square toed, can both be considered. Or you can also choose a pair of leather shoes in black, grey or khaki.

Clutches are more for decoration and complementing the look. For high-end dinners and other black tie events, you don't need to carry a lot of large items. Therefore, a small and exquisite clutch that provide enough space for a lipstick and business cards is enough to meet the needs. Satin, velvet, and matte leather are all materials you can choose from. You can also choose a clutch with sequins or beads as decoration.

A belt can also be an important tool to optimize your figure proportions. When wearing a straight dress, you can use a thin metal chain belt to highlight your waistline. Or a wider satin belt will also look more formal.

If the occasion you are attending is extremely formal, you can also wear a pair of white lace gloves. A pair of white lace gloves can further add a sense of formality to your look while also adding a touch of elegance.

Some Taboos for the accessories of a black tie event

◾Avoid accessories that conflict with your overall look in style. For example, if your overall look is tender and elegant, you need to abandon the street style jewelry that you may love on a daily basis. Lots of shiny studs may add sparkle to your street style look, but they can be a downfall to your black tie look.

◾Although your look can be a little more luxurious, it is best not to over-pile any element. For example, sequins will make your dress more sparkling, but too much sequins will make you a walking reflector.

◾Everyday bags such as totes and briefcases should not be brought to black tie events because they will either appear too casual or make you look like you are at work.