You have received an invitation to a black tie event – it could be a black tie dinner party, a black tie work event or maybe a black tie wedding. Whichever one it is, you know this event will be fancy and you need to get the black tie dress code right. So, what attire do you wear? What kind of dresses are appropriate for a black tie occasion?

For men its much easier, all they have to throw on is a tux and a black tie. For women however, there is not one set rule when it comes to outfit choice. Traditionally, black tie calls for a floor-length dress or gown, however the modern black tie dress code isn’t quite as simple. If you decide to go with a floor-length gown, choose a dress with a simple and feminine silhouette that lightly accentuates your curves. Since formal dresses can be pricey, it makes much more sense to rent a dress instead, especially as black tie isn’t your everyday occasion and you are unlikely to be wearing it more than once. By renting a gown, you can pick from the best designers and ensure your dress is made of the highest quality. This will help you avoid tacky and head straight for elegant.

While you can’t go wrong with hiring a black or red dress for black tie, 2019/20 dress trends are showing that you can experiment a lot more with colours! Embellished and sparkly dresses as well as strapless and one shoulder dresses are also constantly gracing the red carpets as we enter 2020 awards season.

The Liberty Maxi Red

Cleo Dress

Panne Velvet Dress

Strawberry Aria Gown

Renting a cocktail dress is another great option for black tie if a full length gown isn’t your thing, or you know your event is black tie optional. We suggest hiring a cocktail dress that sits just on or below the knee and is slightly structured or cinched at the waist to ensure your look remains feminine. Check out our favourite cocktail dresses to rent for black tie:

Isabella Red Cocktail Dress

https://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/black-tie-dresses/products/susara-papaya-dress#

https://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/black-tie-dresses/products/mima-green-dress#

https://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/black-tie-dresses/products/the-lucianna-midi-dress

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Can you wear a short dress for a black tie event?

A modern black tie dress code definitely allows you to choose a short dress rental if you’d prefer. However our top tip would be to keep it classy – avoid anything too tight and anything that falls more than an inch or two above the knee. Check out our favourite picks for 2020:

Dress with Draping

Isalena Sequined Dress

Plumerias Print Dress

Millie Green Cocktail Dress

Can a women wear trousers or a tuxedo to a black tie event?

Absolutely! If you ladies want to make a fashion statement as well as look amazing in your rented outfit, why not hire a jumpsuit or throw on blazer & pant suit? This is a perfect way dress up for a black tie party or wedding, as it shows off your womanly figure in a beautifully flattering way, narrowing slightly at the waist and streamlining the leg. A sexy, yet classy look. Click the links below to see our top picks!

Daylight Blazer

Daylight Trousers

Kanda Jumpsuit

Black Lace Jumpsuit

Can you wear black to a black tie wedding?

You can absolutely hire a black dress to wear to a black tie wedding! However we’d advise to keep the black dresses to a winter wedding or evening wedding. Also make sure your accessories break up your rented black look, whether its a pop of colour from a designer clutch or heel, or sparkling diamond jewellery (which you can also rent from us!). Check out some more great black dress options below!

The Bailey Maxi Black

Silky Black Cowl Gown

Niara Scuba Gown Black

Girl Meets Dress has a large range of formal black tie dresses for hire, whether long, short or cocktail, so whatever your preference, we can help find you the perfect look for your big night! (even if you’d prefer no dress at all, and opt for a pantsuit!).

Rent your black tie outfit and look a million dollars without spending a fortune. What’s not to like?

Wedding guests should be appropriately dressed for a wedding. It is important to remember that weddings are usually quite a formal affair and people take the time to dress up and look their best. We at Girl Meets Dress have gathered tips for all wedding guests this summer – The do’s and dont’s, what to wear to a daytime church wedding and evening reception and explain the most common wedding-guest dress codes.

Wedding etiquette dictates that any dress code should be explained in the extra information that goes out with the wedding invitations.  Between “black tie optional” and “semiformal,” the language can be tricky to decipher. But we’ve got you covered. Here are the most common wedding-guest dress codes explained;

“White Tie”. This the most formal of all dress codes (think: White House state dinners). White Tie dresses to wear for weddings are usually formal floor-length evening gowns.

Elliot Claire –

Jewelled Silver Gown

“Black Tie”. This is the next most formal wedding dress code, and usually means the wedding is an evening event.  You can go a bit dressier and wear a formal floor-length gown, or choose a short, dressy cocktail dress as a Black Tie wedding attire.

Adrianna Papell –

Dusty Orchid Gown

“Formal” or “Black Tie Optional”. The wording here indicates something slightly less formal than black tie is acceptable. But the event is still formal enough for one to be appropriate. A long dress, dressy separates, or a formal cocktail dress.

Ariella –

Andrea Dress

 “Semiformal” or “Dressy Casual”. Take your cues from the time of the event – Wear darker, more formal colours for an evening wedding; opt for light colours and fabrics for a daytime event. A cocktail dress or a long, dressy skirt and top works fine.

Stella McCartney –

Ridley Woven Dress

 “Festive Attire”. This one can leave many guests confused. In general, guests are given the permission to have fun and play with their outfits. Opt for cocktail-party attire featuring bolder colours and accessories.

ChiChi London –

Blue White Flower Dress

 “Casual”. This indicates the wedding will likely be held outdoors or on the beach, meaning the event will be much more laid-back, especially when it comes to attire. That said, jeans, shorts, and tank tops are probably not appropriate unless they’re specifically noted as acceptable. A summer sundress is appropriate (just make sure the fabric isn’t overly formal). Appropriate shoes should be chosen if the wedding is outside or on grass.

Self-Portrait –

Azaelea Pink Lace Dress

Not every invitation has a dress code outlined. You can take on clues by looking whether the invitation itself is formal or casual. After six usually means to dress more formally than during the day. Churches, synagogues and even hotel ballrooms tend to be more formal than a park, garden or a beach. If you absolutely cannot figure out how to dress by looking at the invitation, don’t be shy. It’s better to ask the bride, groom or their families!

Hats are traditional, but by no means compulsory, at weddings. Just remember to choose your hat carefully making sure it compliments your height, body and outfit. Keep in mind that traditionally ladies decorate hats on the right hand side and be careful when greeting/kissing others when wearing a bigger headpiece.

Bundle  Maclaren –

Hadley

Wedding dress code – What not to wear!:

– Avoid wearing white – Unless you are invited to a white-themed wedding, don’t take attention away from the bride. Head-to-toe outfits in white or cream should never be worn and all black, unless cleverly accessorised, may look too sombre. Some consider Red to be unsuitable for guests to wear as it might draw to much attention.

– Don’t wear anything too short or too low-cut. Even worse, don’t wear something that is both too short and too low-cut. Consider wearing appropriate underwear or Spanx! The main point is to be careful to not show off too much.

– Many churches and synagogues require that women’s shoulders be covered, so if you want to wear somehing a little sexy for the reception, make sure to bring along a scarf or jacket so that you can cover up for the ceremony or change attire in between

– Don’t dress formal to a casual wedding and vice versa! Being overdressed for a wedding is just as uncomfortable as being underdressed.

Browse for more wedding guest dresses to rent at Girlmeetsdress.com ! We have a wide variety of evening wedding dresses, cocktail dresses for weddings, black tie wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses for weddings available online.