With Christmas party season just around the corner, chances are that your diary is brimming with black tie events. The key to successfully dressing for a black tie event is to keep it simple and classic. There are many elements involved in men’s eveningwear and common questions include: Do I need a cummerbund, what colour socks should I wear? How do I tie a bow tie? Our men’s eveningwear guide will ensure you make an entrance for all the right reasons.

What does black tie dress code mean?

A black tie dress code denotes formal eveningwear and is the highest level of dress, besides white tie. More sophisticated than regular social gatherings and business functions, a black tie event requires a highly polished style of dress. Typical black tie occasions include balls, galas, and formal weddings. This dress code requires that you wear a dinner suit and an evening shirt. Your dinner suit should be tailored to perfection so that it never dates and can be worn for countless occasions. Here's everything you need for a black tie dress code...

 

 

The Dinner Jacket

Opt for a well-tailored, timeless evening jacket that will withstand the test of time. Evening jackets tend to be black, but midnight blue will add a subtle twist to a classic look. Alternatively, a chic velvet evening jacket will add air flair to traditional evening attire. Typically, evening jackets have satin lapels and there are three lapel styles to choose from: the notch lapel, the peak lapel and the shawl lapel.

The Pants

Dinner suit pants should match your jacket unless the jacket is velvet, which should be paired with black pants. Dinner suit pants tend to be finished with a satin or silk side strip that runs down the outside seam of each leg. Always make sure your pants are hemmed perfectly. Slim fit dinner suits are flattering for most body shapes whilst looking contemporary.

The Evening Shirt

Always wear an evening shirt with a dinner suit. Evening shirts are designed with traditional waffle pleats and french cuffs. Evening shirts traditionally have winged collars but they are also available with Windsor collars and semi-cutaway collars. If you are wearing a cummerbund, choose an evening shirt with coordinating black buttons and if you’re wearing a vest, white buttons are sufficient.

 

The Cummerbund

A cummerbund is a piece of material that is worn around your waist. It is worn with an evening suit and is traditionally made from silk. It’s not an obligatory accessory, but it does show you respect the dress code and have done your research. To wear one, simply place it around the lower half of your waist and fasten it securely at the back. If your bow tie is a colour other than black, your cummerbund should match.

 

The Bow Tie

Black tie attire requires a bow tie. Black bow ties are the obvious choice but you can diversify your look by experimenting with different colours, textures or patterns. Bow ties always look better when they are hand-tied and at the end of the evening, it’s typical practice to untie it. Allow yourself an extra half hour to perfect the bow – here’s how to tie one… There are also plenty of self-tied options available which are also acceptable.

 

 

The Shoes

Don’t wear your everyday dress shoes to a black tie event. A special occasion calls for sophisticated black patent shoes. Velvet slippers are also acceptable, but they must be black. Always wear black socks with an evening suit.

 

The Vest

If you’re not wearing a cummerbund, a vest is a suave addition to a black tie ensemble. Keep it simple and sophisticated and match your vest to your evening jacket.

 

The Finishing Touches 

Complete your look with classic accessories. Keep your cufflinks and pocket square simple. Silver or gold cufflinks are appropriate. Pocket squares are optional but if decide to wear one, opt for white silk.  A silk evening scarf will add the final touch to your black tie attire at winter occasions.