Outfit guides · Wedding guests · women and men
What to wear to a black-tie wedding
A black-tie invitation is the most formal dress code most of us will ever see. It means evening wear: a tuxedo for men and a floor-length gown for women. When a couple, or a whole family, is going together, it helps to agree on a few colors so everyone looks like they belong in the same photo.
An evening palette that works for a whole family
- Navy
- Burgundy
- Emerald
- Champagne
- Black
- Gold
For women
- A floor-length evening gown is the safe choice. A very elegant cocktail dress can work at some weddings, but if the invitation says “black tie”, long is right.
- Fabrics with a little structure or shine look most formal: satin, crepe, chiffon, velvet in winter.
- Shoes: heeled sandals or pumps in a metallic or a color from the gown. Block heels are kinder on grass or long nights of dancing.
- Add a small clutch and one statement piece of jewelry rather than several.
For men
- A black or midnight-navy tuxedo with a white dress shirt and a black bow tie.
- Black patent or highly polished oxford shoes, and black dress socks.
- If you don’t own a tuxedo, renting one is common. A very dark, perfectly fitted suit is the fallback only when the couple says “black tie optional”.
Colors and etiquette
- Don’t wear white, ivory or anything that could read as bridal. Many couples also ask guests to avoid the bridesmaids’ color.
- Deep jewel tones, navy, black and metallics all feel right at night.
- Going as a family? Pick two or three colors that work together, and let each person choose their own piece in one of them.
What to shop for
- Floor-length evening gowns
- Tuxedos and dinner jackets
- Formal dress shirts and bow ties
- Heeled sandals and evening pumps
- Patent and polished dress shoes
- Clutches and statement jewelry
How Kune helps
In Kune, the organizer sets the dress code to Black Tie and marks white, ivory and the bridesmaids’ color as colors to avoid. Each guest adds the people they’re shopping for with their sizes, and Kune suggests gowns, tuxedos, shoes and accessories that follow the rules and look good next to each other.
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