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When your invitation reads "Black Tie Optional" "Black Tie Preferred" "Black Tie Invited" or simply "Black Tie" how should one dress?
Although the clothing industry is trendy, there are some definite rules. If an invitation reads "black tie invited" or "black tie optional," you can expect a nice affair and there will be people attending in tuxedos. Your host is leaving it up to you to dress in a tuxedo or dark business suit.
If your invitations reads "black tie preferred, " your host is suggesting that you dress formal and hoping you do, but you can make that decision and they won't be offended if you don't wear a tuxedo. However, a dark business is appropriate.
Any invitation that has the words "black tie," requires you to dress formal in a tuxedo. "White tie" requires you to dress in evening tails. White tie is the ultimate in formal dress for men
In warmer temperatures or during the summer months, a white dinner jacket can be another option for black tie affairs. White dinner jackets should only be worn from May through September with the exception of warm resort locations or in hot-weather states where it is appropriate all year round
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View Contemporary Etiquette Chart
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Ultra Formal Evening |
Semi-Formal Evening |
Very Formal Daytime |
Formal Daytime |
Second and Later Weddings |
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Groom |
Black full dress (tailcoat), white, or other color tailcoat acceptable.Neckwear and vest match tailcoat in color, except if wearing black full-dress, then a white, wing-collar pique shirt with white pique vest and bowtie.
Formal Shoes:
Patent finish. |
Tuxedo or tailcoat, in range of colors - dark for fall and winter, pastels for spring and summer, white for any time of year. Formal shirt white or coordinate with tuxedo in color, may be pleated or flat.
Formal Shoes: Patent finish. |
Contemporary Cutaway, in black or classic gray, with striped or matching trousers, white shirt, striped tie or ascot; or tuxedo in conservative colors, dark for winter or all gray Cutaway with wing or laydown collar formal shirt and striped gray ascot or four-in-hand tie. |
Tuxedo or tailcoat, in range of colors, dark for winter, white and pastels for spring and summer or tropical climate. Contemporary Stroller coat, with solid or striped trousers. |
Formalwear appropriate to time of year, time of day, and style of the bride and her attendants. |
Ushers and Junior Groomsmen |
Similar to groom in style. Most formal: identical tailcoat tuxedos. |
Formalwear similar to groom in style, however, if groom chooses a tailcoat, ushers can wear similar color tuxedos. Shirts white or coordinate with tuxedos in color, ties and vests match tuxedos. |
Similar to groom in style, or can wear matching Stroller coats with striped or matching trousers. Usually same color as groom. |
Similar to groom, coordinated in color. |
Similar to groom coordinated in color. |
Fathers |
Same as groom, or same as ushers, or in classic tuxedo. |
Similar to ushers, or in classic black tuxedo. |
Same as groom, or same as ushers, or in classic tuxedo. |
Either similar to the male attendants or formalwear of own choice. |
Same as groom or same as ushers. |
Guests |
Formalwear similar to groom. For an elegant mood, specify "Black Tie" on invitation; guests will wear black tuxedos. |
Formalwear optional. For an elegant evening, specify "Black Tie" on invitations. |
Formalwear optional. |
Formalwear optional |
Similar to groom. Specify on invitations if you want your guests to dress formally. |
Ring Bearer |
Same as groom or groomsmen |
Same as groom or groomsmen |
Same as groom or groomsmen |
Same as groom or groomsmen |
Same as groom or groomsmen |
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View Traditional Etiquette Chart
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Ultra Formal Evening |
Formal Evening |
Very Formal Daytime |
Semi-Formal Daytime |
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Groom |
Black full dress (tailcoat) with white, wing-collar pique formal shirt, white pique vest and bowtie. Formal Shoes: Patent. May wear a sprig from the bride's bouquet as boutonniere. |
Black tuxedo, white pleated formal shirt, bow tie, vest or cummerbund to match tuxedo. White tuxedo with formal trousers for summer or tropical climate. |
Cutaway jacket, gray striped trousers, gray vest, ascot, or striped four-in-hand tie.
Optional top hat, spats, gray gloves. Formal Shoes: Patent finish. |
Grey Stroller, with striped trousers, pearl gray vest, four-in-hand tie with white pleated formal shirt. Optional:
homburg gloves. |
Ushers and Junior Groomsmen |
Identical to groom, with different boutonniere. |
Same as groom, perhaps with different boutonniere. |
Similar to groom in style, with possible variation in tie or shirt. |
Identical to groom perhaps with different boutonniere |
Fathers |
Identical to groom, with different boutonniere. |
Same as ushers |
Same as groom or same as ushers. |
Same as groom, or same as ushers. |
Guests |
May wear tuxedos, or if you specify "White Tie" on invitations guest should wear full dress identical to groom. |
Should be formally dressed. Specify "Black Tie" on invitations. |
You may suggest "Traditional Morning Attire" on invitations, if you would like your guests to be formally dressed. They would then choose formalwear similar to the groom's. |
Formalwear optional |
Ring Bearer |
Identical to groom/groomsmen |
Identical to groom/groomsmen |
Identical to groom/groomsmen |
Identical to groom/groomsmen |
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