What does black tie mean? A guide to nailing the dress code

In criminally casual Australia, so you’d be forgiven for getting confused by a black tie dress code.

Nowadays it’s rare for a pair of sneakers or sandals to be deemed inappropriate, but in the case of a black tie occasion (as opposed to say, a cocktail dress code), you’ll want to leave them at home. Black tie requires a level of formality that can be both exhilarating and baffling. So what, exactly, does one wear?

What does black tie actually mean?

Here’s the easiest way to understand it:

If you’re wearing a dress: a floor-length evening gown is the traditional choice (nothing shorter than ankle-length is usually appropriate).
Do you have to wear black? No! Rich colours, pastels, metallics and prints can all be appropriate.
If you’re wearing a suit: you should opt for a black tuxedo (also called a dinner suit) with a white shirt, black bow tie and formal black shoes. Coloured suits are usually not suited for a black-tie event.
When it comes to shoes: choose dressy heels, elegant flats or polished formal shoes rather than sneakers or everyday footwear.

The golden rule? Aim for formal eveningwear, not just a nice outfit. If you’re deciding between something casual and something more dressed up, it’s usually safer to lean toward formal. If you’re unsure, we’d suggest checking in with your host just to be sure.

What fabrics are appropriate for black tie?

If you do want to get a little bit more adventurous with your dress length, its best to still stick to black tie-appropriate fabrics. Keeping in mind that black tie events are almost exclusively held in the evening, it’s advised to keep to luxurious and opulent fabrics such as silks, velvets, satin, taffeta, tulle, lace and chiffon. Every day or ‘daytime’ fabrics such as jersey, knit, cotton, corduroy, flannel, linen and denim are not the norm – but as with most things, execution is everything.

Where did it originate?

The concept of black tie originated in the Edwardian era, relating to an event where guests would dress smartly for dinner and drinks functions with a start time later than 6pm. It presented an opportunity for royals and members of the upper class to still dress respectfully, without the formalities of a tailcoat or a heavy gown. It should be noted, that although at its core, black tie essentially means, ‘formal’, it is not actually the most formal of all the dress codes (white tie occupies that spot).

Shop our favourite black tie looks

To help you get into the black tie mood, we’ve scoured our favourite labels for a selection of black tie-ready looks you can wear now. See our picks below.