10 Black Tie Rules To ALWAYS Follow | Black Tie Event Dress Code Guide

The black tie dress code is one of the most prescriptive dress codes in menswear. It's a formal dress code, but not quite at the formality level of white tie. When you're wearing a tuxedo for a black tie affair, there are certain rules you should follow. So next time you're wondering how to dress for a black tie event, refer to this video for a quick and simple black tie guide with all the rules for wearing a tuxedo properly.

0:00 - Black Tie Rules
0:13 - Match Lapel & Bow Tie Fabrics
1:01 - No Clip-On or Self-Tied Bow Ties
1:23 - Wear A Cummerbund
1:56 - No "Regular" Suits With Bow Ties
2:09 - Don't Be Creative
2:41 - Wear The Correct Tuxedo Shirt
3:12 - Don't Rent A Tuxedo
3:31 - Details Matter!
3:52 - Wear The Correct Shoes
4:22 - Black Silk Socks ONLY

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#blacktie #dress #code

[georgelush]

I agree wholeheartedly with Brian’s “don’t get creative” advice. The essence of elegance is its simplicity.

[believer]

" When things look too perfect, they look wrong" Well said 😂

[yah]

Love this one. I haven't been a black tie event yet so I need to come back to this video when its time.

[brunokooij]

A wing collar is perfectly acceptable with a black tie ansamble I think, you saw it more often in the 1920’s and 30’s. So if you want to ad a more vintage touch go for a wing collar. And if you are st it ad a nice low-cut single-Breasted waistcoat.

[loarbmhs]

Very nice review of the essential rules of the black tie uniform. Well done! My minor additions: #3a: A scooped, u-shaped vest is a more bespoke alternative to the cummerbund. #3b: Keep your jacket buttoned when standing—you're not supposed to see the vest or cummerbund. #8a: Make sure the fabric for the stripe down the side of your trousers matches the fabric of your lapel/tie—meaning, grosgrain with grosgrain lapels, not satin with grosgrain lapels. #8b: While plenty of guys wear double vents on a tux as the "modern take" you cite, the absolute classic look is ventless. #9a: Patent leather is far preferable to just a well-shined pair of ordinary dress shoes. The whole point of a black tie outfit is to be different from "regular" dressy clothes, and that literally means from top to bottom.

[rripley]

Note to self after watching this video: start seeking out black tie events to attend in 2021! lol. Like you, I LOVE dressing in a tux. Well done, once again.

[greggschofield]

Getting tips on black tie event wear whilst in pyjamas is a rather strange feeling!!

[aPixelcoffee]

That was the most compact yet exhaustive take on Black Tie I've ever seen. Thanks, Brian.
I always do Black Tie wrong, but purposely so. I'm in my early 20s and really, there isn't any occasion unless I make it one. I don't even own a complete Black Tie set. But the tux blazers I do own fit me so well that I can easily work around the missing links. There's only one prerequisite: Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively. Your video certainly helps in that regard!

[dhanushka]

Absolutely marvelous and to the point, thank you for not wasting viewers time.

[peppersantiago]

For those venturing into the realm of Black tie events for the first time, this video is a well done primer on the basics. Whilst I understand Brian's endeavor to educate and equip new wearers of formal attire with all that they need, we must take into account that in 2022, even at holiday gatherings and weddings, athleisure has become the de facto order of the day. Despite what an invitation may read, one should always expect that there will be those who want to display their originality. We now live in an Instagram / Pinterest/facebook world where most people fancy themselves internet influencers, of some kind or another. Said reality now dictates that few will follow the rules set out in this primer. It's important to note, by the way, that there is no governing board or fashion police officer that will be enforcing said rules. If someone is rude enough to attempt etiquette shaming someone, then that person deserves the tongue lashing of ones choosing. Having said that, most, if not all, of the rules that are being espoused here were put in place at the height of America's gilded age and were filtered versions of antiquated Victorian era classicism. The gilded age, by it's very definition, was designed to expressly exclude those deemed undesirable by Mrs. Astor and social ladder climber, Ward McAllister. The question becomes, then, is it time to relax the practice of passing judgment on those who choose their own sartorial path, especially in a society where fashion trends democratize and lead our social experiences?

[colinrenfrew]

Very informative on the details. Calling for a video on how to tie a bow tie. Agree it looks better, but it takes a lot of practice.

[bkfabs]

Brian, I enjoyed your video. I would add that nowadays there are high end slim fit rental tuxedos made of high quality worsted wools that are appropriate for black tie events. It’s a smart and less expensive alternative to purchasing a tuxedo for someone that rarely needs one.

[nicegurl]

Tuxedo stories!!
1. My mom thinks that the satin strip down the pants, make them look rented. I don’t know where she got that idea…
2. My husband bought a $600 tuxedo the day before my sister’s party. It checked all the boxes except for the lapel being notched. But worth it. More on that below.
3. After extensive research on suits, it’s interesting to see people make fun of what they don’t know. I have a cousin that got married in a tuxedo. At my sister’s party, a formal event, my husband wore his tuxedo (I wore an evening gown with long satin gloves). My cousin was making fun of the bow tie. Like… it’s a formal event. How does he not know that a bow tie goes with a tuxedo if he got married in one…?
4. People say it’s not worth it because you only wear it once. Not true. A friend (70?) lives on a street with a lot of older people. They do this monthly “progressive driveway” where the home owner has a dinner party for the block, and every month it’s at a different neighbor’s house. Because everyone has that “one time use tuxedo” all their dinners are now black tie. How cool is that!?!? You can always make or find a reason to wear one.
5. Gatsby Roaring 20s theme party. He wore it to my mom’s 60th. I’ll probably use that theme more often, just to see him in his tux 😍
6. At a company masquerade Christmas party, he wore his tux and everyone was complimenting him for it. From male co-workers to his boss’s boss’s boss. 🥰
7. The following year, the company party was also a Gatsby Roaring 20s theme. He wore the same tuxedo and also got many compliments from everyone he spoke to. He’s MY arm candy 😊

[alirizvi]

What I love about black tie and formalwear in general is that from silhouette and overall appearance, there is a uniform look but more personal details are just that. If you wear red enamel cufflinks, that's going to be the people close to you (physically and figuratively) notice. It's not screaming out to the world.

[paladinclothiers]

Nicely done. Yes, the rules for winged collars changed seemingly in the 1950's and so now you'd be correct. However, they are not only acceptable but preferred for some period events. Wherein their usage would indicate a better grasp of the period style trends.

[pianomanhere]

Excellent video, Brian. I find it very straightforward and detailed enough so that I don't screw up my look again at a black tie event. Hopefully someday I'll get it "just right" (finally).. Many thanks.

[sukakawenkawen]

I'm going for my cousin wedding, thanks for this. Especially about the watch. You're very detail. 👍

[faridmahnad]

Appreciate the video, question though: does the bottom half of what you‘re wearing match the top half of what you‘re wearing?

[danielduggan]

Thanks for the video as always. Very timely, actually. I prefer a formal waistcoat over a cummerbund, personally, but otherwise spot on.

[quadre]

Dressing up in black tie for my prom (if it happens). Thanks for the insight Brian!