Might we assume you’ve arrived here after receiving a rather formal looking wedding invitation in the post?
You know the one. Amongst all the usual ‘the honour of your presence is requested’, ‘dinner and dancing to follow’, and the rest, there’s a rather dreaded wedding dress code announcement; black tie.
A black tie wedding is just about as formal as it gets. And if you’re keen to not only avoid embarrassment but perhaps even look pretty darn glamorous doing so, then this thing is largely defined before the event even takes place, during the shopping process.
Setting yourself up for making the most stylish memories possible means hunting down just the right centrepiece – the dress. It’s a delicate art to get the tone right for any wedding, but a black tie affair? That invitation ups the ante ten fold.
But this doesn’t mean ‘black tie’ is a rigid, one-dress-code-fits-all situation. Instead, here are a few perfect outfit ideas to have you looking and feeling your absolute best at your upcoming black tie wedding.
What Even Is Black Tie?
It means you’re going to have to get dressed up. Traditionally, a black-tie dress code denotes a formal, evening occasion with tuxedos and stunning, floor-sweeping gowns. While we love floor length gowns for a black-tie wedding, guests who wish to wear a dress have more flexibility when it comes to a black-tie dress code. While evening gowns once were standard, nowadays you can get away with a long or even midi cocktail dress.
What To Wear To A Black-Tie Wedding
Black, of course, is a classic colour choice for a black tie event and while many gravitate towards black and darker shades, don’t be worried about wearing other colours.
Anything is fair game, apart from white of course (more on that later). That said, it’s a good idea to find out what colour the bridesmaids are wearing too, so you aren’t accidentally mistaken for a member of the bridal party. If you can’t find out first hand, the colours on the invitation often match the wedding colours of the bridal party.
When deciding the silhouette of your dress, wear whatever you please, from a form fitting sheath dress to a waist accentuating tulip dress. It’s wise to take into consideration if the dress is dance floor-appropriate if you’re going to partake in some boogying. You can always opt for a jumpsuit- they are easier to dance in, afterall.
When it comes to necklines, we’re huge fans of strapless gowns. The clean and straight cut and neckline looks strikingly minimal yet classically beautiful on absolutely everyone. A figure-hugging dress with spaghetti straps is a timeless option that you can’t go wrong with and you can count on almost every dress retailer to offer a bevy of them to choose from.
Here at IDEAL we adore halter neck dresses which are still having a moment since Meghan Markle wore a Stella McCarthy creation to her own wedding. The sleeveless silhouette of a halter neck dress accentuates the shoulders beautifully, giving an elegant and feminine look.
Concerning jewellery, simple, minimalist bracelets, necklaces and earrings are most appropriate. Since there are so many types of jewellery to consider, it makes sense to let your dress dictate the jewellery your choice. If your evening dress has a high neckline, then forgo a necklace and wear a pair of subtle, statement earrings instead.
Or, if your dress has an open back, consider a long, dainty wrap necklace. While a black-tie wedding is the ideal opportunity to pull out all the bells and whistles, avoid anything too bling. Don’t wear every piece of sparkly jewellery that you own.. Speaking of things to avoid.
What To Avoid
Those super tight dresses you see on the red-carpet and ones with dramatic splits are best avoided – trying to sit through dinner and speeches in these types of dresses is not the one.
Unless the invitation specifically requests that guests wear white, avoiding white and cream goes without saying (though we realise we’ve said it several times). Same goes for champagne, cream, ecru, beige and any other hues with close ties to the fair and frosted shade.
You’ve probably heard that short dresses are a no-no when it comes to a black-tie wedding. However, times are changing and while we wouldn’t advise wearing a mini dress, we think that a shorter hemline can totally work for a buttoned-up event.
When it comes to wearing a shorter dress to a black-tie wedding consider a cocktail dress with lace, beading, or some fancy embroidery, all of which can take a shorter dress up a formal notch or two. A high-low hemline, where the hemline in the back of the dress is longer than the front, embracing asymmetry, or long sleeves with a high neckline to give coverage, will also balance a shorter dress. However, if in doubt, stick to a full floor length hemline.
Read: What are the biggest fashion faux pas at UK weddings?
Ask A Friend
As reported by Hello, the average spend for a new wedding outfit is £79.76. This may seem like a splurge on attire, however, wedding expert’s The Knot’s 2021 Guest Optimism Study revealed that 51% of people look forward to getting dressed up for a wedding, hence the willingness to splurge on a new outfit.
However, if you want a sustainable and affordable answer to your black tie wedding guest dress woes, why not borrow one with one of your nearest and dearest? It’s an easy way to keep things financially viable. Moreover, it means that you don’t have to go through all that cognitive dissonance and the paradox of choice that we all experience when buying a new dress. No doubt your girlfriends will be under similar pressure during wedding season; a mutually beneficial arrangement for sure.
Rent A Dress
A black tie wedding is the perfect excuse to go glam and wear something fancy, something couture even. We know what you’re thinking; you can’t afford a designer dress, the likes of which celebrities wear, usually accompanied with a four figure price tag. However, did you know that most A-listers you spot on the red carpe are not wearing clothes that they actually own? Yep, they’ve borrowed a frock from a designer. So, why shouldn’t you?
Enter the clothes rental service where you can rent gorgeous designer frocks for a fraction of the price they actually cost. We think that borrowing a frock is the best way to nail your black tie wedding dress. While the idea behind clothes rental services is to offer a more sustainable way to shop, they also serve as a way for you to access designer clobber you couldn’t ordinarily afford.
There are lots of rental apps out there, but for black tie dress, there is no better place to look than Rotaro. The Independent voted it as the best rental service for designer dresses saying; “With pieces from cult labels such as Cecilie Bahnsen and Rixo, Rotaro is a great choice if you’re looking to rent something that has the serious wow factor for special occasions, be that a wedding or birthday”.
They add; “similarly, should you be getting hitched, it has a handy section dedicated to bridalwear”. A handy bit of advice should you be the one who catches the bride’s bouquet, for sure. We’re also big fans of By Rotation which bills itself as “the social network to rent, lend and buy designer fashion”.
Read: Our IDEAL guide on dressing for a spring wedding
Say It With The Seasons
When it comes to fabrics, Vogue writes that “This is your moment to go all out with sumptuous, flowy silks, luxurious chiffon, and dreamy layers of tulle. A few embellishments here and there won’t hurt, either.”
We concur. That said, when it comes to fabrics we think it’s best to let the seasons dictate what you wear. Indeed, when choosing your outfit, it’s imperative to choose a gown that is weather appropriate. The same goes for colours.
For spring, think light, loose and flowy fabrics that will keep you comfortable and cool. For effortless elegance, a long flowing maxi dress is ideal. If you’re going to a summer wedding, it’s best to avoid restrictive gowns that are heavy and tight. Instead, consider a timeless and chic silk slip dress or a lightweight strapless gown. Since silk is a breathable fabric, it’s a good choice of material as it will keep you cooler if the weather gets too sticky. Pretty pink and pastel hues are always a good idea for spring and summer nuptials.
During autumn, the change in colour scheme is unavoidable, so it’s sensible to channel it with enthusiasm. At this time of year, burnt orange, auburn, maroon and dark green, earthy, rich shades take over. Harness these colours in your outfit for a synergistic take on the season. High necklines and billowing sleeves can add a sensible sense of occasion to an autumn wedding outfit.
A winter wedding is the perfect time for lots of texture and luxurious fabrics like velvet and satin. It’s also the ideal opportunity to break out the glitz and glam – think sequin and metallic dresses. Deep tones like black, purple and navy are great for a winter wedding. Berry hues of burgundy and jewel tones of emerald green and ruby red can also add a festive touch to your dress.
The Bottom Line
The implications of a wedding invitation that stipulates black tie are numerous. A certain level of decorum is implied, of airs and grace, and, in the anxiety of the receiver, an expectation of judgement unless the outfit adheres to certain preset rules.
For those currently going through that anxiety, good news; as with any self-respecting dress code and event, ‘black tie’ invites a fair amount of creative licence, with a little expressivity actively encouraged. We’re sure you’re going to look fabulous!
