Weddings are official and formal occasions where everyone’s appearance is expected to be on point. Finding the right outfit might be challenging for many because to dress appropriately you need to know some things connected to the wedding. One thing that will never change is that you need to dress up for a wedding. The most basic formal outfit is the man’s suit. So, there is no miss when it comes to that. But, not every wedding is the same. A tuxedo is not a normal suit: Check the differences between a tuxedo and a suit.
| Black Tie | White Tie |
To make the right choice, the first and most important thing to decide is what type of wedding are you attending. According to the venue and the wedding agenda, most invitations suggest the dress code. It is written on the invitation itself and it can be black tie, black tie optional or white tie. To better understand the difference and meaning of each of the outfit suggestion, here is a short explanation that will come in handy for your next wedding.
Black Tie Explained
Black tie is considered as the regular formal or semi-formal wear. This is a usual formal look for men attending important and formal events, that require a certain dress code. As a quest to a black tie wedding event, you are required to present a suitable formal look. This look consists of a formal jacket and pants, that come as a suit. The formal suit can also be a tuxedo. The cut and the tailoring of this suit are sharp and defined lines, with proper buttoning and length of the sleeves and legs. The formal suit must be paired with a dressy and elegant shirt. The white long sleeved shirt is the unique option that you can wear and don't try anything else. Since it is a black-tie look, wearing a bow tie is highly required and important. It should be color-coordinated with the suit and not to stand out from the outfit.
Summing up, the ensemble should feature:- A black dinner jacket: Traditionally single-breasted with one button and peaked lapels or a shawl collar.
- Trousers: The trousers should match the jacket and feature a single silk or satin braid covering the outer seams.
- A white dress shirt: This shirt should have a stiff front and a turndown collar, not a button-down.
- A black bow tie: This is essential and should be silk to match the lapel’s facing.
- Leather dress shoes: Typically, patent leather or polished oxford shoes.
- Accessorizing with a cummerbund or a low-cut waistcoat can add an additional layer of polish to the black tie attire. Remember, the focus is on understated elegance—everything should be well-fitted and meticulously tailored.
The whole tone of the look should be formal and appropriate. The shoes should be formal and dressy. Oxfords, loafers, or derbies make a great combo. Check out our tuxedo shoes and discover a dazzling and suitable collection of dress shoes, perfectly suitable for your black tie event. When it comes to color choices, the safest option for the suit are black shoes. Paired with a crisp white dress shirt, black bow tie, and shiny black shoes, you will look extra elegant yet not too dressy in comparison to the groom. Another colors of a suit that are appropriate are the navy blue, dark brown or dark grey.
Black Tie Optional
Black tie optional means that, as a wedding guest you are required to dress not too formally, but still appropriately for the occasion. The choice of this type of wedding is left to the guest, which means that he is the one to decide how formal and elegant his look should be. The optional black tie means that you are allowed to leave out the tie or the bow tie, but still, wear a suit or at least a jacket with contrasting pants. When choosing the color of the suit, keep it to the well-known color options like black, navy blue or dark grey. The shirt should be a dressy one, unbuttoned in the collar. Go for a white or light blue shirt. The suit can be worn unbuttoned. If you are deciding to go without a tie or bow tie, add a pocket scarf that will make you look more interesting. The shoes should be formal, without an exception, take a look at all tuxedo shoes options. Sneakers or any informal footwear is strictly forbidden.
White Tie Explained
White tie is the most formal outfit and that is rarely seen these days. The white tie suggests an extremely clean, elegant and sharp outfit that can be seen only on some royal affairs, presidential galas, university events, and similar occasions. This look is preferred when there are some diplomatic galas at the embassies or foreign state dinners. The balls or opera visits can also suggest a white tie outfit. All of these events are suggesting that the visitors should be dressed in high elegance, following strict pattern and manners. Some weddings require white tie outfit, especially if they are held between important officials. As a guest to this type of wedding, it is important to dress accordingly because you might face being returned at the door due to your improper outfit even though you have an invitation.
The best and commonly suggested white tie look is the tuxedo. Men do not feel very comfortable wearing a tuxedo, but as the occasion requires it, it is a must. The tuxedo is a super elegant men's suit. Its cut, tailoring, and shape is very different than the usual and regular suit that we are used to seeing on men. Everything is different about the tuxedo suit: the lapels are more elegant and long, the buttoning is different, the length is usually longer than the regular jacket length and the pants are ironed with a sharp front line. The tuxedo suit must be worn with a proper tuxedo shirt and a bow tie. The footwear should be highly elegant so formal shiny shoes will complement the look perfectly. With black tuxedo, white shirt, and black shiny shoes you will look more than dapper and appropriate for the occasion.
In bulletpoints, the components of a white tie outfit include:- A tailcoat: Backless and cut to just the waist at the front, it should have sharply pointed tails at the back.
- Formal trousers: These should have a natural taper and feature double satin stripes down the side.
- A white piqué shirt: This shirt must have a stiff front and a high standing collar.
- A white bow tie: Must be silk piqué to match the shirt front.
- A white waistcoat: Should be backless with a low front, fitting snugly over the shirt.
- Patent leather shoes: Black and highly polished.
Additional accessories might include a top hat, white gloves, and a pocket watch with a fob, although these are less commonly seen today.
Etiquette and Additional Tips
Understanding the nuances of black tie and white tie can ensure you are appropriately dressed, not just adequately. For black tie, although alternatives like midnight blue are acceptable, sticking to black is safest. With white tie, precision is key—every element must conform strictly to tradition.
It's also essential to consider the time of the event. Black tie is typically worn for events that begin after 6 PM. In contrast, white tie attire might be specified for ultra-formal events regardless of the time.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can confidently attend any wedding, knowing you are appropriately dressed for an unforgettable day of celebration.
