It really just depends on the context of the event. A 'black tie' formal event i.e a posh corporate awards celebration is not quite the same context as 'black tie' for a friend's wedding evening or a NYE Great Gatsby themed part. So there's a degree to which you'll need to 'read the room' as to how strict the 'black tie' element really is, for this event specifically. That said, unless it is a genuinely very posh / high-society event, the reality is that in 2023, very, very few people are going to genuinely care/be fussed if you go to black tie wearing some other form of formal, dark suiting with black shoes. Example - I was at a friend's wedding last weekend. Black tie was the dress code. I wore a tux because I have a nice tux already that fits be fantastically. But there were several men there in non-tux outfits (3-piece suits, and tweed suits, for instance). Answer from JakeArcher39 on reddit.com
House of Cavani
cavani.co.uk › home › what to wear to a black tie event if you don’t have a tux
What To Wear To A Black Tie Event If You Don’T Have A Tux
If your invite says ‘black tie is optional’, you can expect the rules to be more relaxed when it comes to the dress code. With a more relaxed dress code, you can expect fewer people to be wearing tuxedos at the event. A top tip that you should follow here is to opt for a darker suit to ensure that you don’t get mistaken for a waiter.
OTAA
otaa.com › blogs › journal › what-to-wear-for-a-black-tie-event
Men's Dress Code for a Black Tie Event: What to Wear | OTAA | OTAA
May 29, 2018 - Do not wear casual attire such as jeans, t-shirts, or sneakers to a black tie event; these are considered inappropriate for the formal dress code. Generally, no. A normal business suit is unsuitable for a black-tie event.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/askuk › does black tie means strictly tuxedo for men these days?
r/AskUK on Reddit: Does black tie means strictly tuxedo for men these days?
October 9, 2023 -
I've been invited to a black tie event. Not optional black tie, just says dress code black tie (in capitals).
I've been thinking of getting a nice black suit for a while anyway, but I really don't want to buy a tux as it will be way too formal for my use. It would fit this event but then I'd be overdressed everywhere else.
I found a nice suit that I really like. It's a bit fancier than a business suit but not quite a classic dinner jacket. Single button, peak lapels (not satin though), a contrast strip down the trousers. It's basically like a dinner suit without the satin lapels. Happy to get a wing collar shirt and a bow tie to go with it.
How out of place am I going to feel if I went with that? Part of me thinks that surely people won't care or maybe not even notice, but then I've been reading comments online that if it says black tie, people expect you to turn up in a tux full stop.
Update:
Thanks all, I've gone ahead and ordered a dinner suit/tux.
Top answer 1 of 22
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It really just depends on the context of the event. A 'black tie' formal event i.e a posh corporate awards celebration is not quite the same context as 'black tie' for a friend's wedding evening or a NYE Great Gatsby themed part. So there's a degree to which you'll need to 'read the room' as to how strict the 'black tie' element really is, for this event specifically. That said, unless it is a genuinely very posh / high-society event, the reality is that in 2023, very, very few people are going to genuinely care/be fussed if you go to black tie wearing some other form of formal, dark suiting with black shoes. Example - I was at a friend's wedding last weekend. Black tie was the dress code. I wore a tux because I have a nice tux already that fits be fantastically. But there were several men there in non-tux outfits (3-piece suits, and tweed suits, for instance).
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Personally I would interpret back tie as being a tux and bow tie. That's always what I've known it to mean, and what I and most people have worn on the handful of occasions I've been to such events.
What makes a black-tie event different from other formal events?
Black-tie events are the epitome of formal occasions. They are characterised by their grandeur and significance, often including milestone celebrations, prestigious award ceremonies, and extravagant weddings. The black-tie ensemble is considered the most formal in men's fashion, requiring specific garments and styles to ensure the attendee exudes elegance and sophistication.
hidalgobrothers.com
hidalgobrothers.com › home › news › black-tie dress code – dos and don’ts
Black-Tie Dress Code: Dos And Don’ts | Hidalgo Brothers
Are there any colour restrictions for a black-tie ensemble?
Yes, there are certain colour conventions associated with this dress code. The tuxedo or dinner jacket, along with the trousers, should ideally be black. Lighter shades such as grey, tan or light blue may be acceptable for summer events. The dress shirt is traditionally white, while the tie should be black or a dark, rich colour. Remember, a white tie is strictly reserved for white-tie events
hidalgobrothers.com
hidalgobrothers.com › home › news › black-tie dress code – dos and don’ts
Black-Tie Dress Code: Dos And Don’ts | Hidalgo Brothers
Generation Tux
generationtux.com › blog › event-guides › what-to-wear-instead-tuxedo-to-black-tie-events
What to Wear Instead of a Tuxedo to Black-Tie Events
February 26, 2024 - When combined with a white dress shirt, a black suit looks like a tuxedo at a glance, with only a closer inspection revealing that it’s different. Still, you might want to dress it up a bit to make it more fitting for the occasion. For instance, there’s nothing stopping you from wearing a bow tie with a classic black suit.
Charles Tyrwhitt
charlestyrwhitt.com › uk › editorial-style-tips › black-tie-dress-code.html
Black Tie Dress Code Explained | Charles Tyrwhitt
You may get away with a sharp black suit, but it’s better to go with a tux. The key is that sleek and snazzy black tie at your collar. You’ll also need a white dress shirt, a cummerbund, black shoes and socks, and some well-chosen accessories. Let’s dive into more detail about each part ...
Beau Ties of Vermont
beautiesltd.com › blogs › beau-ties-blog › black-tie-event-dress-code
Black Tie Attire Explained: The Do’s And Don’ts Of Formal Wear
Generally, a regular suit is not considered acceptable for a black tie event.
Hidalgo Brothers
hidalgobrothers.com › home › news › black-tie dress code – dos and don’ts
Black-Tie Dress Code: Dos And Don’ts | Hidalgo Brothers
September 12, 2025 - No, a regular suit does not meet the black-tie dress code. The key to successfully dressing for a black-tie event is to wear a dinner jacket or tuxedo. This should be perfectly tailored to fit your body, allowing you to move comfortably while ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/weddingattireapproval › regular suit for "black tie"
r/Weddingattireapproval on Reddit: regular suit for "Black Tie"
October 20, 2023 -
I have a wedding coming up and the invitation says "Black Tie". Can I wear a regular black suit with a tuxedo shirt and bow tie or would that look stupid?
Savile Row Company
savilerowco.com › home
Black Tie Dress Code Explained | Savile Row Company
From your dinner jacket to the shirt and cufflinks, here's everything you should wear to a black tie event. The tuxedo – otherwise known as the dinner suit – is the most traditional and arguably the smartest black tie option.
Primer
primermagazine.com › home › tux vs suit explained + can you wear a suit to black tie (hot take)
Tux vs Suit Explained + Can You Wear a Suit to Black Tie (Hot Take) · Primer
April 11, 2023 - For my friend's wedding I mentioned earlier, unsure of whether to wear a tuxedo or a suit, I decided to wear a dark suit, and to my relief, I blended in perfectly with the other guests. The lesson here is that you can never be entirely sure about the formality of an event, but you can make an educated guess based on your relationship with the host, their personal style, the venue, and other factors. Sid Mashburn, founder of the eponymous men's clothing brand, offers advice for those unsure of how to dress for a Black Tie Optional wedding, “You basically want to look like the dressiest guy there, without putting a tuxedo on.
Generation Tux
generationtux.com › blog › style-guides › mens-black-tie-dress-code-made-simple
A Comprehensive Guide to Black-Tie Dress Code | Generation Tux
December 27, 2023 - Although black tie became almost synonymous with tuxedoes, it’s worth noting that a tux isn’t the only choice of apparel for this type of event. For instance, you can rock a suit at a black-tie event, although you’d need to dress it up a bit.
FlexSuits
flexsuits.com › blogs › blog › learn-what-to-wear-to-a-black-tie-event
Dress Code: What To Wear To A Black Tie Event – FlexSuits
If you are not wearing a tuxedo or formal dinner jacket, you should not attend a black-tie event. This means that you should avoid wearing a suit, even if it is black.
Quora
quora.com › Is-a-black-suit-as-opposed-to-a-tuxedo-adequate-for-a-black-tie-event
Is a black suit (as opposed to a tuxedo) adequate for a black tie event? - Quora
Answer (1 of 17): A black tie event requires a black tie, and an even more elevated event requesting a white tie requires a white tie. A black suit, even though similar in color, is not an acceptable alternative to a black tie. Hierarchy: Whenever: ...
Rathbones Tailor
rathbonestailor.com › blogs › news › what-not-to-wear-to-a-black-tie-event
What not to wear to a Black Tie event – Rathbones Tailor
September 27, 2023 - Tuxedos elevate with satin lapels, ... scream 'special occasion'. Donning a regular suit to a black tie event is akin to bringing a knife to a gunfight—out of place and noticeably underdressed....
Hockerty
hockerty.com › en-us › blog › what-does-black-tie-mean
What Does Black Tie Mean? A Complete Guide - Hockerty
December 3, 2024 - No, a regular suit is not appropriate for a black tie event. You should wear a tuxedo to meet the formal dress code requirements.
Phillipalexander
phillipalexander.co.uk › phillip alexander tailors › style guide › what to wear to a black tie event for men
What To Wear To A Black Tie Event For Men
March 21, 2025 - If you’ve been invited to a black tie optional event, you have the freedom to choose between a dinner jacket or a formal dark suit. Although wearing a dinner jacket is still preferable so you can show off your sense of formal style, it’s ...
Serafinesilk
serafinesilk.com › blogs › silky-talk › sera-fine-silks-complete-guide-to-the-black-tie-style
The Complete Guide to the Black-Tie Dress Code – Serà Fine Silk
November 7, 2024 - However, in today’s world, a perfectly tailored dark suit can work for some modern black-tie occasions—just make sure it’s accessorized with a black or dark tie or even a bow tie for a more formal touch!
Nunify
nunify.com › blogs › black-tie-event-guide
Black tie event 101: How to dress, what to avoid, and more
Black-tie events have a strict dress code that doesn’t leave room for improvisation: 🚫 No casual attire: Say goodbye to jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. They simply don’t belong here. 🚫 No regular suits: While a regular suit is formal, ...
IsuiT
isuit.it › home › the isuit journal
Black Tie Dress Code For Men Explained | IsuiT
August 16, 2023 - Follow the tips we’ve already talked about in this article, and find your perfect black tie affair clothes today! As mentioned previously in this article, as long as you follow certain rules, you can wear a normal black suit.
The Tie Bar
thetiebar.com › black-tie-dress-code
How to Dress for a Black Tie Event
The dress code for a Black Tie ... Optional or White Tie event. This popular dress code for formal events means you must wear a full tuxedo (also sometimes called a dinner suit) and bow tie....