What to Wear to a Black-Tie Wedding

Judith Jones's avatar
By
last updated
in Features

what-to-wear-to-a-black-tie-wedding-251315-1520283915796-main

(Image credit: Reformation)

There's nothing better than opening up a fancy wedding invite that reads "dress code: black tie." It’s our one excuse to dress up to the nines, bask in a luxurious ambiance, and fill our Insta feed with plenty of fancy photos. But while a formal dress code is exciting, it can also be confusing. Do I need to wear a gown? Can I get away with a cocktail dress? What colors are appropriate?

While evening gowns and long dresses are standard fares for black-tie weddings, you can get away with a cocktail dress (of the longer variety) if it looks formal. Opt for sophisticated dresses made from luxe fabrics, and steer clear of anything that looks like you're going to a club. Wear your formal dress with sleek heels, elegant jewelry—you can’t go wrong with diamonds and pearls—and a chic clutch. Any color dress will work for a black-tie wedding except for white or ivory, of course. And yes, black and red are fair game! Jewel tones and pastel tones are particularly popular.

We’re not going to lie, black-tie attire can become costly (especially with luxe detailing such as embellished beading, lace, silk, and appliqués), but with a little shopping around, you don’t have to break the bank to find a stylish and appropriate formal ensemble, from sleek metallic sandals to embellished clutches and silky gowns. We’ve done some of the hard work for you and rounded up our favorite black tie attire on the market right now for every budget.

For more wedding guest dress inspiration, see more of our favorites here.

Explore More:
Judith Jones
Judith Jones
Associate Shopping Director

Judith Jones is the associate shopping director at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for over a decade. She specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.