Black Tie Optional: Wedding Attire Explained

Black tie optional is a dress code often used for formal events such as weddings, which gives guests the option to wear black tie and formal attire or something slightly less formal. For men, this means they can choose to wear either a tuxedo or a dark-coloured suit and tie. For women, this means they can wear a formal evening gown, a cocktail dress or a formal suit.

Women's attire: floor-length gowns or cocktail dresses

When it comes to black-tie-optional attire for women, guests should pay attention to the season and venue of the event. Black-tie-optional weddings usually take place in the evening, after 6 pm, so daytime attire is generally not suitable.

The attire can be assessed based on two common categories: the colour of the gown and the style of the dress. Any hue is appropriate except whites, pastels, and neon colours. Luxe-looking fabrics, patterns, and textures can be dressed up or down with accessories, but it's best to keep patterns more muted to adhere to the formal vibes. When in doubt, stick with hues that pair well with the season. For a summer wedding, look for blue, pink, orange, and yellow gowns. For a winter wedding, black, navy, and jewel-tone looks are perfect.

While floor-length gowns should be prioritised, women can also wear a fancy cocktail dress or a dressy pantsuit. Short and mini dresses, however, are not allowed, as these styles are more casual than formal. It's also important to avoid anything too revealing or that might take the attention away from the bride, like overly sequined looks and dramatic ball gown silhouettes. If you're worried about being overwhelmed by fabric, look for a dress with a slit. This can help elongate a short frame and make it easier to get down on the dance floor.

Men's attire: tuxedos or dark suits

For men, a black-tie-optional wedding means you have the option to wear a tuxedo or a dark suit. If you opt for a tuxedo, you can choose between a classic black tux or a "tropical black tie", which includes an ivory dinner jacket, a crisp white dress shirt, subtle cufflinks, black tuxedo trousers, and formal black leather shoes.

If you decide to wear a dark suit, it should be well-tailored and in a dark colour such as charcoal, navy, or dark grey. You can pair it with a white dress shirt, a conservative tie, black dress shoes, and dark socks. It's important to pay attention to the fit of your suit and ensure it is well-accessorised with items such as cufflinks, a pocket square, and polished shoes.

When it comes to shoes, black leather dress shoes are the best option. If you want to wear brown shoes, they should be a dark shade of brown, such as oxblood, and well-polished.

In terms of accessories, a black bow tie is a classic choice for a tuxedo, while a slim-fit tie is more appropriate for a dark-coloured suit. A pocket square can add a pop of colour and personality to your outfit, and cufflinks can subtly enhance your look. A dress watch is another accessory you may want to consider.

Dress code meaning: less formal than black tie, but still elevated

When it comes to black-tie-optional weddings, the dress code is fairly straightforward. It means that guests have the option to wear their most formal attire (an evening gown or tuxedo) but can also opt for a formal suit or cocktail dress instead. This dress code gives guests some flexibility to play with their outfits.

If you're a man, you can swap out the tuxedo jacket for a structured suit jacket and wear an understated tie. It's best to stick with black, navy, or dark-colored suits, no matter the season. For women, a midi-length dress is acceptable, but avoid anything above the knee as it will be too casual. A fancy cocktail dress or a dressy pantsuit is also a good option.

• For men, dark colors such as black, navy, charcoal, and deeper jewel tones like emerald and burgundy are a safe bet.
• For women, any hue is appropriate except whites, pastels, and neon colors. Embrace luxe-looking fabrics, patterns, and textures that can be dressed up or down with accessories, but keep patterns a bit more muted to adhere to the formal vibes.
• Avoid anything too revealing or that might take attention away from the bride, like overly sequined looks and dramatic ball gown silhouettes.
• Black-tie-optional invites you to experiment with your hair, makeup, and jewelry to become a more elevated version of yourself.

In conclusion, black-tie-optional weddings are a beautiful sight when everyone goes all out, so take the opportunity to dress up and feel your best.

Colours: dark, jewel tones, metallics

When it comes to colours, a black-tie-optional wedding is your chance to experiment with dark, jewel tones and metallics.

For women, this means you can opt for a classic floor-length gown or a luxe cocktail dress. Dark colours like black, navy, charcoal, and deeper jewel tones like emerald and burgundy are all excellent choices. You can also experiment with metallics like silver, rose gold, and gold. If you're attending a daytime or summer wedding, you can add some lighter colours to your outfit, such as blue, pink, orange, or yellow. However, avoid anything too light or bright, like pastels and neon hues, as well as busy patterns that may be too casual.

For men, a black-tie-optional dress code means you can choose between a tuxedo and a dark suit. You can experiment with different colours like black, navy, charcoal, and dark-coloured suits. You can also add a touch of luxury with materials like wool and velvet. If it's a summer wedding, you could opt for an ivory jacket with black trousers.

Accessories: cufflinks, pocket squares, statement jewellery

Accessories are an important part of a black-tie optional wedding outfit, allowing you to showcase your personal style while adhering to the formal dress code. Here are some tips for choosing the right accessories for this special occasion:

Cufflinks

Cufflinks are a classic accessory for black-tie events and can add a touch of elegance to your outfit. Opt for timeless designs in gold, rose gold, white gold, or platinum. If you want to incorporate some colour, consider cufflinks with semi-precious stones such as onyx, hematite, or dark mother-of-pearl. For a more contemporary look, copper cufflinks can add a touch of warmth to your ensemble. Remember to coordinate your cufflinks with other accessories, such as shirt studs and lapel pins, for a cohesive and refined appearance.

Pocket Squares

A pocket square is another essential accessory for a black-tie optional wedding. The classic choice is a white, hand-rolled linen handkerchief, which adds a touch of elegance to your suit jacket. You can either stuff it casually into your pocket or go for a more formal square-folded look. If you want to add a pop of colour, consider a silk pocket square in a complementary hue. Just remember to avoid overly flashy patterns or colours that might detract from the overall formality of your outfit.

Statement Jewellery

Statement jewellery can be a great way to showcase your personality and elevate your black-tie optional wedding outfit. For women, a statement necklace, reversible earrings, or a geometric ring can add a unique touch to a floor-length gown. Men can also accessorise with jewellery, such as a pinky ring or a signet ring, adding a subtle yet sophisticated detail to their ensemble. Remember, the key is to strike a balance between elegance and personal style, ensuring your accessories enhance your outfit without taking away from the overall formality of the occasion.

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