To be this clueless about “Black Tie” dress code? Help needed!!

[EmptyHouse0822]

I’ve been invited to some big fancy awards night, it’s work related and the dress code is “Black Tie”.

I don’t know anyone else who is going and for various reasons I don’t want to tell any of my colleagues I have been nominated. There would be accusations of “showing off” as being the main one.

I have never been to a Black Tie event and the awards ceremony is a really big deal and somewhere extremely swanky so I don’t want to get it wrong.

Anyhow, I understand what “Black Tie” means for the men…..but what about women?

Do we have to wear black too? And do the dresses have to be floor length?

Im looking for dresses online and there are some really beautiful ones, but I don’t want to be either under dressed or over dressed.

Im not usually one for wearing black as I like a bit of colour, but if that’s a big no-no then I will have to suck it up.

And what about handbags and shoes - do they have to be completely black?

The event is in less than two weeks and I really need to sort this.

Help!

you don’t need to wear black. It should be long, but there will be people in short too. Maybe post some screen shots of what you’re drawn to?

N ok need for black shoes , dress or handbags.
Long dress or v dressy cocktail dress .

I have been to loads of black tie awards (not as a winner) you don't need to wear black, it doesn't mean that. Can be floor length but not full on ball gown for an awards event, and can just as much be cocktail dress. I've worn trousers to black tie events before.
Can you look for pictures of previous events online and see what people were wearing? Just Google image search the event.

Full lengthy dress, heels, handbag.

Doesn't have to be black or expensive. M&S is fine.

Google 'occasion wear'

These are some of the black ones I was looking at…. I haven’t delved into coloured dresses as I wasn’t aware it was an option…

Here are some random pics of work awards but I bet you can find pics of the one you are going to:
www.thirdsector.co.uk/entries-open-years-third-sector-awards/communications/article/1459480
www.cubo.ac.uk/page/awards

I think any of those would be fine but the first is the nicest.

So many different ways to interpret it now for women. My fave was a young member of my team who wore dark indigo skinny jeans, white shirt, black satin tux, black bow tie and killer silver heels. With amazing hair and make up. She looked brilliant.

Each award ceremony has its own vibe too - some are super dressy, others really not. The tip to look at pics of previous awards is a good one.

Any of those dresses would work - 2 and 3 are fabulous in my opinion!

Black tie for women just means get yourself really dressed up (ideally in a proper long dress but at the last one I went to there were a few midi length dresses too). The point is that it should look like a full-on special evening occasion dress (not like going to a summery wedding), and you need heels, nice evening handbag etc. But any colour would be fine.

Technically, I believe black tie means floor length dresses (any colour) for women and tuxedo for men. However, in my experience, while the men all wear the tuxedos, at awards events women will usually just wear very dressy cocktail dresses rather than a full swirly evening dress ala Kate Middleton! I would check for your particular event/industry as I can easily imagine that some are a bit more "fashion forward" as it were than mine (banking) - so take a look at photos from previous awards ceremonies that you're attending.

As a rule, when we used to attend these events, we'd wear good cocktail dresses and then dress them up with sparkly/statement jewellery, high heels, statement handbags etc. Ironically, nowadays, I'd probably go with floor length but less elaborate accessories.

oh, and one point is that as a rule, (and I concede this was 10 years ago, and in banking) it was considered inappropriate to wear anything too "sexy" for a work-related awards event. Smart, pretty, elegant etc were all fine. Sexy not so much. I think the dresses you've shown pictures of would all be considered a bit too revealing/figure hugging for the events I used to attend. But I would take a "if in doubt, don't" approach.

The black tie refers to the black tie men wear (as opposed to white tie, which is next level up).
It's not red carpet glamour, but the dresses you have looked at would be absolutely fine - a lot of women do wear black for formal occasions, though any colour is fine.
Congratulations on being nominated!

Its "black" tie contrasting with "white" tie in reference to the fact that the gentlemen are expected to wear a black bow tie with their dinner jacket & don't need to wear a white one/white waistcoat etc.

In terms of formality, black tie is a rung below white.

For ladies, you should wear a formal dress, longer length, certainly below the knee imho.

My rule would be to maintain a certain level of coverage. So if going for something backless or with a lot of shoulder/decolletage bare, I would wear a longer dress.

It depends on the venue and the event as to how far you take it, but basically it's an evening dress, which is full length, or a little bit more informal is a cocktail dress which is basically a knee length evening dress. Handbag and shoes, don't have to be matching, but you want to be toning, considered jewellery and nails and hair done.

I'd do what someone else has suggested and try and find photos of similar events at the venue with a bit of googling, so you can make sure you're pitching it right. If you're still unsure, I'd go classic shapes in black, then you can't go wrong.

I go to our professional association conference and dinner/awards etc every few years and that is 'black tie'. Most women wear a calf length nice dress and heels with a minority in a full evening gown or shorter 'cocktail' dress.

I think as long as you are dressed up in something you feel comfortable in, you won't feel out of place. The 'Christmas Evening Do' dresses might be in the shops now, so it might be a good time to buy something - Monsoon is often a good place to look, but many places will have suitable dresses.

I may be against the norm, but if I find something I like, I wear it a few times, rather than always having something new - I wore the same dress to about a dozen weddings in my 30s, no-one ever said anything, and I don't care if I was judged for it if anyone noticed.

OP you don’t have to wear black! But would go with floor length. The dresses are too cut out and not elegant enough for a formal do at a posh location (assuming 5 star Hotel)?

Congratulations!

No - you do not have to wear black!

You are expected to dress up. This can be a frock, any length as long as it’s fabulous and flattering. Or you might choose a tuxedo. Or just a white shirt and a long black skirt if you have the chutzpah.

How much do you want to spend?

Thanks everyone for your comments they are very helpful.

What are your thoughts on these?

Are they too casual??

I like the last one, blue with glittery top. The beige one is a bit grandma-y 😬 Asos also have nice affordable elegant dresses or TK Maxx.

I'd search online for pictures from previous events to see what the general look is for women. DH goes to a lot of awards things through work and although the men wear black tie, at his events it seems like the women wear dresses/ suits just a notch above very formal workwear - def no cleavage, shoulders or sheer. But I've seen some where it is full on glitz

What are you willing/able to spend? My go to would be something like this…

Or you can rent a designer dress from places like hire.girlmeetsdress.com or the place Carrie Johnson uses.

Your second set of suggestions better. The first one MIGHT be too short although I wouldn't be concerned personally - but depends on "stuffiness" factor. The first blue one is possibly a bit whimsical and summery for an evening winter/autumn event. The third one is fine. The final one looks like a wedding guest dress rather than a black tie event but I guess with lots of sparkly silver accessories could work.

Are they too casual??

No, (apart from the black and white) but they do look rather cheap. Maybe try to find something more … sophisticated. Calmer.