What do black-tie guests wear to weddings?
While there are so many different types of weddings – from laid-back beach weddings to a romantic countryside setting – a black tie wedding is by far the most formal you can attend. And with this very exciting invite comes the excuse to dust off that dress you always save for best, rent a statement designer wedding guest dress you may not usually go for or treat yourself to a new style that’s sure to impress. The rule of thumb is; this isn’t the occasion to wear a short dress. Instead, opt for a midi, maxi or floor-sweeping gown in a luxurious fabric – think silk or chiffon instead of jersey or linen. And when it comes to accessories, it’s all about chic heels, perfectly formed clutch and hand-held bags (leave the tote at home!) and premium jewellery to suit the black tie wedding. Not a fan of dresses? Some suits or jumpsuits could also work.
What are the best colours to wear to a black-tie wedding?
There are no real ‘rules’ to follow with colours for a black tie wedding, but of course, there are some hues that tend to be better-suited to a fancier affair. For example, rich jewel tones including emerald green, burgundy and navy will always be classic. A long gown in black is always going to look sophisticated (especially when paired with diamonds or refined gold jewellery) and metallic shades of silver, bronze and gold will look exceptional in the right fabrics. And if it’s a summer black tie event, a lot of lighter pastel dresses will also work if they fit well and have an expensive-looking cut. Like any wedding, though, avoid white, ivory and cream – unless the bride has requested this as the dress code, of course. If you’re still unsure which colour to go for, and you don’t want to risk making the faux pas of unintentionally matching with the bridesmaid, speak to the bride before the big day.
Is it okay to wear a knee-length dress to a black-tie wedding?
Unlike mini dresses, knee-length dresses are more acceptable at a black tie wedding. But there are some guidelines that may be worth taking note of before you find ‘the one’. It’s best to keep to a style that sits below your knee, or more of a midi. Instead of casual flowy silhouettes you may see at a summer brunch, go for a slinky cami style, one with structure or a style that looks so premium in way of detail. And to avoid a knee-length style looking dated, think wisely about your shoe choice – a heeled mule, sandal or slingback should elevate (quite literally) the shorter dress style worn among the gowns and tuxedos.
Why you can trust me
I’ve been a fashion editor for over 12 years, so when it comes to knowing dress trends, brands worth shopping and certain styles that suit different people (I’m also a stylist) then I’m pretty clued up. I also get to work with the very talented team at Glamour, so together we came up with all the best wedding guest dress brands we truly rate. Some of the team have also been to quite a few black tie events, so we’re in the know when it comes to knowing what to wear, and what not to wear to the more formal wedding ceremony. The outcome? This very chic edit of 19 black tie-ready guest dresses that’ll suit everyone.
How we tested
When it comes to testing, team Glamour wore a lot of the dresses featured. Some of the styles (the Whistles lilac dress, for example) are so good, they get bought out in new colours each and every season. So we know they’re worth getting for an upcoming wedding. We also looked at the quality of the dresses (they have to look premium to be a plus one at a black tie event), is the cut suitable for a black tie ceremony and is the colour one that’ll work for both summer (long sleeves usually aren’t best), and the event type. There’s a lot to consider, but we believe we’ve put together an edit of strong contenders for upcoming black tie events.