Key Takeaways
- Women should wear floor-length gowns or fancy cocktail dresses that are elegant and not too revealing.
- Men can opt for a tuxedo or a dark suit, but avoid anything too casual or flashy.
- Select colors appropriate for the season, avoiding white and overly bright shades to maintain formality.
You’ve just received a wedding invitation with a “black-tie optional” dress code, and you have no idea how to dress. Since events with black-tie attire are fairly common in the wedding space, you’ve probably attended an affair or two that specified this dress code, which asks that women wear floor-length gowns and men wear tuxedos. Or, at the very least, you’ve likely heard of the term. But, adding the word “optional” to the end of this standard attire choice can be the cause of confusion for many invitees.
If you’re unsure what this wedding guest dress code actually means, we’re here to help. Like the name suggests, black-tie optional is a bit less formal than black-tie weddings—meaning tuxedos aren’t required but can still be worn. For women, however, black-tie optional weddings look a lot like black-tie events, which often fuels the perplexity surrounding this particular dress code. In both cases, women are instructed to wear a floor-length gown, but it’s generally more acceptable to wear dresses that show the ankles at a black-tie optional wedding (unlike black-tie nuptials).
This dress code might also be mistaken for semi-formal affairs, which are actually a step down from black-tie optional events. At semi-formal functions, men can forgo a tie or bow tie, which isn't the case at a black-tie optional wedding. As for women, above-the-knee dresses replace long gowns at semi-formal events.
Meet the Expert
Adriana Gonzalez-Ramirez is a personal stylist at Wishi, an online styling service founded by acclaimed celebrity stylist Karla Welch.
Since black-tie optional weddings are becoming increasingly more common, you might snag a few more invitations to this type of affair. Because some couples want to encourage their guests to get dressed up without pressuring anyone to buy or rent a tuxedo, this dress code has risen in popularity. More specifically, this level of formality acknowledges that not everyone has the means to afford what's typically required of a black-tie celebration, while still asking guests to wear their most elevated ensembles.
Still wondering what a black-tie optional dress code entails? You're in luck. We put together a guide that helps break down the different facets of this wedding guest attire guideline. With the help of personal stylist Adriana Gonzalez-Ramirez, here are the dos and don'ts of adhering to this somewhat ambiguous style of dress.
The Meaning of "Black-Tie Optional" Wedding Attire
Black-tie optional weddings are slightly less formal than nuptials with black-tie attire, so they allow for a little more flexibility in the formality of guests' ensembles. With this dress code, tuxedos aren't required, but men can still wear a tux if desirable. Otherwise, they can select a formal suit and tie. For women, floor-length gowns are still encouraged, but cocktail dresses are completely acceptable, Gonzalez-Ramirez notes.
For those who choose this dress code, the couple usually wants to throw a formal affair, but at the same time, they acknowledge that black-tie attire can be a financial burden for guests. As a consideration for everyone's budgets and as a way to maintain their own aesthetic preference, they compromise by opting for black-tie optional attire. This level of formality guarantees that loved ones will show up in their best outfit, but in one that they feel comfortable spending their money on. So, if you don't mind investing in a tuxedo or purchasing a long dress, feel free to treat this dress code like a black-tie wedding.
Photo by Franklyn K Photography
Black-Tie Optional Wedding Attire for Women
When it comes to black-tie optional attire for women, guests should pay close attention to the season and venue of the event before they shop for their getups. In most cases, these types of weddings take place in the evening (after 6 p.m.), so anything that's acceptable for a daytime celebration likely won't work in this situation. “I like to see the wedding venue prior to [the wedding] to match the ambiance of the setting.” Gonzalez-Ramirez notes. To give you an indication of what's appropriate, we're unpacking the best colors and styles for black-tie optional wedding attire for women below.
Color
As far as colors go, any hue is appropriate for a black-tie optional wedding except white, pastels, neon hues, and the color of dress that the bridesmaids are wearing (if applicable). As a general rule of thumb, choose a solid-colored or printed outfit in a luxe-looking fabric that you can jazz up or down with accessories. If you do decide on a printed ensemble, make sure the pattern falls more on the muted side in order to adhere to the formal vibe. When in doubt, stick with shades that pair well with the season of the event. Attending a summer affair? Look for attire in blue, pink, orange, and yellow. Invited to a winter wedding? Black, navy, and jewel tones are suitable for this time of year.
Style
While floor-length gowns should be the priority when searching for a black-tie optional look, women can also opt to wear a fancy cocktail dress or a dressy pantsuit. What's absolutely not allowed, however, are short and mini dresses, as those types of styles lean more casual than formal. While this dress code encourages upscale looks, steer clear of anything too revealing or attention-grabbing, like overly sequined looks or dramatic ball gowns. Lastly, if you’re petite and worried that a long gown might swallow your short frame, look for something with a slit to elongate your body.
Photo by Jana Williams
Black-Tie Optional Wedding Attire for Men
Like women, black-tie optional attire for men is based on the color and style of the look. The two main options include a tuxedo or a suit. Anything that falls outside of these two selections would be too casual for this level of formality.
Color
For this style of attire, black, navy, and other dark colors are preferable, no matter the season. Since white is reserved for the couple of honor, shades of white, ivory, or cream aren't acceptable for black-tie optional events. "Unless the couple has requested guests to wear all white, steer clear of wearing colors that are too light," Gonzalez-Ramirez says. An accent, on the other hand, is completely fine. Outfits with bold or flashy hues will also stand in opposition to this high level of formality.
Style
Black-tie optional attire doesn't offer much leeway in terms of the style, so a suit or tuxedo are the only acceptable choices. The fabric, however, is up to you. That said, it's best to consider the season when picking out your outfit. Gonzalez-Ramirez notes that wool and velvet are more appropriate for an evening affair in the fall or winter, whereas a silk ivory jacket and black trousers will work well for a spring or summer soirée.
Additional Black-Tie Optional Wedding Fashion Tips
While we covered the bases above, here are some more fashion tips for black-tie optional wedding guest dress codes:
Get Dressed Up
Because black-tie optional weddings are formal affairs, be sure to choose an outfit that follows this level of formality. To-be-weds who select this dress code want their guests to show up in their best attire, so Gonzalez-Ramirez encourages you to go for it. If money is a concern, choose an ankle-length dress or a suit and tie, instead.
Avoid Flashy Styles and Colors
That said, bold hues and attention-grabbing silhouettes aren't appropriate for this dress code. "It's important to remember that this is still the couple’s big day, so you want to avoid wearing anything too flashy or over-the-top that would cause any attention to be taken away from the couple," Gonzalez-Ramirez shares. "Show off your personal style, but do so with respect to the newlyweds and their families who spent so much time, energy, and money planning this black-tie optional affair."
Accessorize Accordingly
If you want to add a bit of personality to your outfit, black-tie optional weddings invite you to experiment with your accessories and big-day glam. Since this dress code asks that you elevate your outfit, the same goes for your jewelry, hair, and makeup. “I think black-tie optional is the antithesis of daily life, so if you wear your hair in a bun in your everyday life, perhaps get a beautiful half-up half-down hairstyle that will make you feel and look different,” the stylist recommends. “When it comes to jewelry, leave the Apple Watch at home, and wear jewelry that draws attention to you. Go bold with makeup, as well."
