Last month, I attended my first “Black-Tie” wedding and the first thing I did after opening the invitation was google “what to wear to a black tie wedding.” I wasn’t sure what was appropriate. Did I need to dig into my prom dress collection? Is wearing a cocktail dress appropriate? Are light, pastel colors off the table?
Eventually, I was able to find a dress that fit the criteria, and most importantly, made me feel comfortable and confident. That’s my number one rule when shopping for clothes, because there is nothing worse than second-guessing your outfit every time you stand-up – we’ve all been there!
Outfit details: Dress // Shoes (mine are out, but I also have these and LOVE them. Especially for the price!) // Earrings (Mine aren’t available anymore, but I linked similar ones!) // Clutch
The forest green color is a perfect transitional dress into the fall and winter season – simply swap the white shoes and clutch for black or nude. This dress comes in a lot of colors, including white, making it a great option for my brides – perfect for engagements and bridal showers, or an after-party look!
So, what are the do’s and don’ts when you’re wondering what to wear to a black tie wedding? Here’s what I found:
- While evening gowns and long dresses are standard looks for black-tie weddings, you can get away with wearing a longer cocktail dress (which is what I opted for). If you go with a cocktail dress, just make sure that length wise it’s a little above the knee, anything shorter will look too clubby.
- Choose a dress with more high-quality fabric – think silk, lace or something with embellishments and detail like beading or glitter.
- Pair dresses with elegant accessories like diamond or pearl studs, a dainty bracelet and a chic clutch – like this one, or this if you’re wearing a solid colored dress for some extra flare.
- Speaking of colors, the color palette is yours to play with – just stay clear of the whites and ivorys. I’ve often wondered if reds and blacks are acceptable and they’re fair game, especially when it comes to black-tie.
- So, what does this mean for your guys? A tuxedo, unless it says “Black-tie optional” at which point they have the option of wearing a dark, formal suit instead. Nothing changes for the ladies.
- The one thing you want to remember for “black-tie” weddings is that you don’t want to upstage the bride. If you’re on the fence, ask a friend – or me! – they’ll let you know if you need to tone your look down.
Let me know if you have any other questions related to Black-tie weddings, or are in need of any other fashion inspiration in the comments section below!
Xo,
Jo
