Dress Code Guide: What Does Black Tie Mean?

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Have an invitation to a black-tie event in hand and want to be sure you’re properly attired? We’re here to help.

Black tie may be the second-most formal of evening dress codes, but for many people, it’s the most formal they’ll ever need to dress. White-tie invitations are rare unless you’re wealthy, famous, or in politics. But the chances are high that you’ll be invited to a black-tie event at some point in your life.

RELATED: Dress Code Guide: What Does Dressy Casual Mean?

Never fear! Formal dress codes are often easier to navigate than casual ones, although the clothes are usually more expensive. While terms like “dressy casual” leave room for interpretation, black tie gives you straightforward limitations regarding what you can wear. Keep this guide as a reference, so you can impress everyone the next time you attend a black-tie function.

Black Tie: A Definition

Black tie is sometimes called the “tux” or “tuxedo” dress code because that is what men are expected to wear.

Tuxedos appeared in the mid-19th century, offering a casual alternative to tailcoats. (At the time, even casual wear was much fancier than it is today.) But post-World War I, the Autumn Ball in New York’s Tuxedo Park gave the garment both its name and its fame. The ball had historically been a formal white-tie affair, but the dress code changed to the less-formal tuxedo after the war.

Tuxedos were initially designed to strike a balance between informal lounge suits and highly formal tailcoats. They were first called “dinner jackets,” as they were perfect for informal evening events (the term is still used today).

These days, tuxedos and other black-tie attire are reserved for very formal events, as dress codes overall have shifted toward the casual. You may not need this knowledge often, but it’s valuable to know how to dress to impress at a black-tie function.