How to Dress for Black Tie, Special Occasions and Big Evenings

For New Year’s Eve and wedding season, you might wonder what to wear.  Black tie is often the order of the evening for weddings, galas and a number of other special events as specified in the outfit ideas below. This post offers guidelines and outfit ideas for black tie, special occasions and big evenings chosen in a way to let you know that age doesn’t matter.

The ideas I present to you here are basic guidelines, but today’s rules are constantly being broken to allow for more creativity.  If you’re going to a wedding, consider the expectations of the wedding party as well as selecting what you love and what looks good on you!

This post has been updated to provide you with the highest-quality content.

What Is Black Tie?

“So what exactly is black tie?” you may ask.  It’s formal dressing, only second to white tie.  Typically it calls for a floor-length gown, but you may also opt for a shorter fancy cocktail dress.  Bring out your best jewels and heels, and jazz it up!

How to Create Your Own Black Tie Look

To create your own Black tie look, simply pair a bare top (such as strapless, cold-shoulder, camisole, or even a lacy tank) with a long skirt.  If you don’t want bare arms, you can add a lace top with sleeves under the bare top.  Nicole Molders of High Latitude Style has a great review of these tops in her post “Cami Confidential Review.”  You can also find lace, mesh and even fishnet tops to add elegant sleeves to your sleeveless gowns and bare tops at the following places:

Another black tie look you can create without having to buy an evening gown is a long skirt with a blouse.  This combination will work well for Black tie, formal, and conservative evening events.

Black or navy is the first color to choose when buying clothes for black tie evening looks.  These colors can go anywhere!  You can brighten it up with accessories.

If you already have something in black or navy and want to get something new, choose a skin-flattering pale color or jewel tone.  Winter is a good time for jewel tones, especially in velvet.

Since the Black tie look is often bare, when it’s cold outside you can add warmth and cover up with faux fur or a cashmere shawl.  If you’re wearing something fancy, it’s also perfectly okay to wear a black leather jacket as a cover-up…as long as you take off the iron crosses and the club medallions! Lol.

Outfit Ideas for Black Tie, Special Occasions & Big Evenings

Many of the following outfit ideas suggest the same color top and skirt.  This creates the look of a dress!  Keep in mind that you can substitute navy for black, or you can choose a pale or jewel-color ensemble.

• Formal:  A long black dress + heels + jewelry.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money on this, though.  I have three black maxi dresses, and I could wear any one of them to a Black tie event just by adding statement jewelry, heels and a fancy cover-up!
• Major Black tie evening:  A black bare camisole + a long black velvet skirt. Add gold evening sandals + a gold & black satin belt + gold & rhinestone jewels.
• Covered Black tie dinner dress:  (Ideal for convention/business dinners, Black tie dinner at someone’s home, etc.)  A black silk blouse + a long black silk skirt.  Add a black satin & gold belt, black satin sandals (or red satin sandals and belt).  Add a red cashmere or silk shawl as an evening cover.

• Dance dress, Black tie, dinner at a restaurant:  A black velvet maxi-skirt + a black bare camisole.  Add gold sandals + gold belt + pretty jewels + a 54″ square of black & red silk chiffon as a shawl.
• Dance dress, Black tie, dinner at a restaurant:  A black lace-edged camisole or tank + a short black silk skirt.  You might like to add:  gold sandals + gold belt + pretty jewels + a black & red silk chiffon shawl.
• Big evening/Black tie:  A black lace-edged camisole or tank + a long black embellished or shimmering skirt.  Add gold and rhinestones.
• Big evening/Black tie:  A black lace-edged camisole or tank + a long black velvet, satin or silk skirt.  Add gold and rhinestones.

• Black tie evening – summer, winter, anywhere:  Pale peach silk camisole + long pale peach silk skirt.  (Or choose a pale color that looks best on you.)  For an extra-pretty delicate vibe, add gold sandals + gold belt + rose quartz jewelry (or pale gemstones that tone with the color of your outfit.)  Keep everything pale!
• An elegant event:  A little black dress + a scarf wrapped around your shoulders & secured with a pin.

I think it’s safe to say that if your skirt is long enough, you could probably wear any footwear you want!

• A black blazer + a sexy lace camisole + dressy bottoms.  Add red lipstick and put your hair up.
• A button-down shirt inside a long skirt with a nice shape to it.  Add a belt.

• A short-sleeve  or 3/4-sleeve black lace top (or other festive color) + a long black skirt.
• A long-sleeve black lace or sequined top inside a black velvet maxi-skirt.  You may add a necklace of crystal beads, silver beads, or something similar.

Let’s Connect!

Is this helpful to you?  What special events will you be going to in the near future?  Are you dressing up for a New Year’s Eve party? Do you have weddings to attend?  Let us know what you’ll be wearing! Please leave a reply in the comments below!

Like this post?  You might also like to read articles in my Evening Category, such as:

• “How to Sparkle and Shine in a Metallic Top”
• “How to Save Money by Embellishing with Accessories”
• “How to Use One Outfit for Unlimited Special Occasions”

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Angie

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