Fashion

What to Wear to a Black Tie Event

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Wedding season is quickly approaching — our fridges are chock-full of Save the Dates, and our shopping carts are filled with potential dresses to wear to (hopefully) all of our events. But once in a while, an invitation comes in the mail with a few words at the bottom that send chills down our spines and strike fear in our hearts: black tie.

What does this mean? Do I need to wear a floor-length black gown? Bust out my prom dress? Pretend I’m in the hospital with food poisoning and avoid the event altogether?

Black-tie events don’t need to be this dramatic, nor this scary (unless Anna Wintour sends you an invite to a certain occasion on the first Monday of May, which would be worth a hefty amount of anxiety) — but the ambiguity makes them feel a lot scarier than they are. Avoid the panic by knowing all of your fabulous options for the black tie events you have coming up.

 

Source: Kat Tanita

 

What It Means

In understandable terms, “black tie optional” basically means that the event is fancy and that men have the option to wear tuxedos (if they have one). If they opt to go sans-tux, they should still wear a dark, formal suit and tie. The term is directed more at men than at you, but does dictate what kind of dresses you should consider wearing. “Black tie” simply means that men should wear a tux — there’s obviously less of leeway than when “optional” is thrown on the end.

Black-tie events are the most formal dress code you’ll come across (assuming you’re not a royal), so floor-length dresses are encouraged. If that isn’t your thing, you have options — a fancier mid-length gown or cocktail dress is generally still appropriate (and no, you don’t need to wear black).

When you have a black tie event, it’s often easier to choose to rent a gown than to shell out hundreds of dollars on a gown for one event. (All of our editors have rented from Rent the Runway for events, and I’ve even gone to the Chicago storefront to try dresses on in person.)

 

 

What to Wear

If you’re investing in a black-tie appropriate gown, these are some of our favorites:

Lovers + Friends
Dillion Midi
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ASOS Design
One Shoulder Tulle Maxi Dress
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Alfred Sung
Sateen Gown

5 colors available

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Dress the Population
Iris Slit Crepe Gown

3 colors available

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Dress the Population
Alicia Midi Dress

6 colors available

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Norma Kamali
One Shoulder Fishtail Gown
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Katie May
Legacy Gown

4 colors available

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Alfred Sung
High/Low Sateen Twill Gown

5 colors available

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Lulus
Maxi Dress

14 colors available

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Lulus
V-Neck Chiffon Gown

5 colors available

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ASOS
Petite Tulle Maxi Dress
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Keepsake
This Moment Gown

2 colors available

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Blondie Nites
Floral Print Charmeuse Evening Dress
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Anthropologie
Sadia Dress
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Amanda Uprichard
Cherri Gown

2 colors available

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BHLDN
Alexia Dress
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Lovers + Friends
Hazel Gown
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Michael Costello
Gillian Gown
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Katie May
Making Moves Gown
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Alfred Sung
High/Low Ballgown

6 colors available

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BHLDN
Montreal Dress
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ASOS Design
Pleated Halter Dress
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BHLDN
Adena Dress
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Jenny Yoo
Ryder Dress
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True Violet
One Shoulder High/Low Dress
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Parker Black
Whitney Dress
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Dessy Collection
Lux V-Neck Chiffon Gown

9 colors available

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After Six
Bow One-Shoulder Gown

6 colors available

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ASOS Design
Pleated Gown
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ASOS Design
Tulle Maxi Dress
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ASOS Design
Pleated Cut Out Dress
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Lovers + Friends
Patrick Gown

2 colors available

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True Violet
Asymmetrical Midi Dress
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BHLDN
Gwyneth Dress
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True Violet
Navy High/Low Dress
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ASOS Design
Halter Pleated Maxi Dress
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BHLDN
Rene Dress
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WAYF
The Mia Lace-Up Back Evening Dress

2 colors available

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Anthropologie
Idris Dress
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