A Guide to Black-Tie Optional Wedding Attire

Black-tie optional weddings are becoming more common, with couples encouraging their guests to get dressed up without the pressure of buying or renting a tux. More specifically, this level of formality acknowledges that not everyone has the means to afford what's typically required of a black-tie dress code, while still asking guests to wear their most elevated ensembles.

If you're somewhat confused about what black-tie optional clothing entails, however, we put together a guide to help break down the different facets of this particular dress code. With the help of personal stylist Adriana Gonzalez-Ramirez, here are the dos and don'ts of adhering to this somewhat ambiguous style of attire.

What Is Black-Tie Optional Attire?

Black-tie optional is slightly less formal than black-tie attire, and as a result, it allows for a little more flexibility when it comes to your ensemble. “Men are not required to wear tuxes, but it's a plus if they do," shares Gonzalez-Ramirez. "Women should wear full-length dresses, but if someone is wearing a cocktail dress, it would be acceptable.”

Black-Tie Optional Wedding Attire for Women

When it comes to black-tie optional attire for women, guests should first pay close attention to the season and venue of the event. In most cases, these types of weddings typically take place in the evening, after 6 p.m., so anything you'd wear 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 adds. After that, what you wear can be assessed based on two common categories: the color of your gown and the style of your dress.

Color

As far as colors go, any hue is appropriate other than whites, pastels, and neon hues. Embrace luxe-looking fabrics, patterns, and textures that can be jazzed up or down with accessories, but keep patterns a bit more muted in order to adhere to the formal vibes. When in doubt, stick with hues that pair well with the season of the event. Attending a summer affair? Look for blue, pink, orange, and yellow gowns. Invited to a winter wedding? Black, navy, and jewel-tone looks would be perfect for this particular time of year.

Style

While floor-length gowns should be prioritized when searching for a 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. Also, stay away from anything too revealing and any ensemble that might take the attention away from the bride, like overly sequined looks and dramatic ball gown silhouettes. Lastly, if you’re worried about looking like you’ve been swallowed by fabric, look for something with a slit. This can help elongate a short frame, and as a bonus, it makes getting down on the dance floor a whole lot easier.

Black-Tie Optional Wedding Attire for Men

Similar to women, black-tie optional attire for men should be based on the color and style of a look, with the two main options being a suit or a tuxedo. Anything outside of that would veer past the scope of this dress code. Interested in learning more? Read on below.

Color

As you can expect, wearing white, ivory, or cream from head to toe is a definite no. "An accent is okay, for example, on a man's jacket," says Gonzalez-Ramirez. "Unless the couple has requested guests to wear all white, steer clear of wearing colors that are too light." What's more, for this style of attire, it's best to stick with black, navy, or dark-colored suits, no matter the season. Since a high level of formality is required, anything too bold and flashy will not work for this particular dress code.

Style

“Men can wear wool and even velvet on such occasions,” says Gonzalez-Ramirez. “For an evening affair in the summertime, an ivory jacket and black trousers are a great option as well.” Unfortunately, when it comes to black-tie optional attire for men, there isn't much room for interpretation, so choose a suit or tuxedo that fits you best.

According to Gonzalez-Ramirez, the best brands for black-tie optional attire include BOSS and Ermenegildo Zegna for that classic, timeless style. For a more contemporary vibe, she recommends Fear of God.

Additional Black-Tie Optional Wedding Fashion Tips

As previously mentioned, "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," shares Gonzalez-Ramirez. "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 affair."

As far as styling goes, black-tie optional invites you to really experiment with your hair, makeup, and jewelry to become a more elevated version of yourself. “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,” shares the stylist. “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!” 

At the end of the day, black-tie and black-tie optional weddings are a beautiful sight to see when everyone really goes for it, so Gonzalez-Ramirez encourages you to take the opportunity and dress up. The photos you get from that night will all be worth it!