Black tie, explained

Black tie means a dinner jacket and a black bow tie, the standard for evening weddings, galas and awards after six.

Black tie is evening formality with a fixed uniform. It suits weddings after six, galas, award ceremonies, opening nights and formal dinners.

Men wear a black dinner jacket with satin or grosgrain lapels, matching trousers with a braid, a white dress shirt, a black bow tie and patent or highly polished shoes. A cummerbund or waistcoat is optional and traditional.

Women wear a floor-length gown or a very polished cocktail dress, in a dark or rich colour, with refined jewellery. It is a step below white tie and far more common, so read the invitation: black tie is not the same as black tie optional.

The lever · A jacket that fits at the waist beats any upgrade in fabric; the silhouette is the whole point of evening dress.

Also for this code: For men · For women