What to Wear to a Black Tie Event: Gowns and Accessories

What to Wear to a Black Tie Event: Gowns and Accessories

Black tie is back on the calendar, with galas, weddings and formal holiday dinners returning in force. The gowns leading this season are sculpted, embellished and surprisingly easy to move in, with velvet and sequins outnumbering heavy tulle. This edit covers everything a formal evening asks for, from the gown to the jewels.

Gowns That Command the Room

The black-tie gown has gone sculptural, with bustier bodices, open backs and capes doing the dramatic work that volume once did. Silk charmeuse and velvet move beautifully and photograph even better. Each of these feels like an occasion on its own.

More Gowns, More Drama

Chainmail, devoré and printed satin give the second wave of gowns a little more personality. These are the dresses for anyone who wants to be remembered without wearing a train. A simple earring is all they need.

Sequins Take the Floor

Sequins have shed their disco reputation and become the most elegant way to catch the light at a formal dinner. Halternecks and strapless bodices keep the silhouettes clean. Feathered hems add movement on the dance floor.

The Last of the Gowns

Pleats, corsetry and off-shoulder necklines round out the formal story this season. The best of them feel classic enough to wear again next year. Pick the neckline that suits you and keep the rest simple.

Pumps and Mules for the Gala

Formal shoes have settled on two shapes, the pointed pump and the embellished mule. Mesh, satin and crystal give them a quiet sparkle under a long hem. A comfortable mid heel is the smart choice for a long evening.

More Heels Under the Hem

Slingbacks are the most practical black-tie heel because they stay put through dinner and dancing. Velvet and metallic leather add a festive finish. Choose a color that echoes your jewelry.

Strappy Sandals for Long Dresses

A barely-there sandal lets a gown fall cleanly to the floor. Crystal and metallic straps catch the light with every step. Platforms add height without the pain of a needle heel.

Clutches for the Formal Table

The black-tie bag is small, hard-sided and often covered in crystals. Novelty clutches have become collectible, and the good ones feel like jewelry. Choose one that can hold a phone and a lipstick, nothing more.

More Evening Bags

Velvet top handles and embroidered satin envelopes offer a softer alternative to the crystal minaudière. A metallic leather clutch works with every color of gown. These are the bags that come out year after year.

Jewels for the Occasion

Formal dressing is the one place where real jewelry has room to shine, and drop earrings are leading the way. Diamonds, pearls and gold fringe work equally well with a strapless neckline. Choose one focal point and let it speak.

More Fine Jewelry

Tennis bracelets, chokers and cocktail rings have returned as the formal staples. Colored stones add warmth to an all-black look. Layer a bracelet or two for movement.

Even More Jewels

Brooches are back, pinned to a gown strap or a velvet jacket. Charm bracelets and pendant necklaces give a formal look a personal touch. These are pieces with a life well beyond the gala.

Beyond the Gown

Not every formal invitation calls for a long dress. A velvet top with a maxi skirt, an embroidered coat or sharp tailoring can be just as correct. These pieces offer another way into black tie.

Dressing for the Big Night

The best black-tie looks this season feel personal rather than prescribed. Start with the gown, let one accessory carry the shine and keep the rest restrained. Comfort matters more than anyone admits at the end of a long night.