Black Tie Affair Attire

Do you have a wedding or extremely important social or business event coming up soon? The words "black tie" need not terrify you. Here are some guidelines for both men and women to demystify black tie affair attire.

Required for a black tie event

Black tie can have some preconceived notions, but the term often refers to events where you need to look your best. Formal wear can now mean not only a tuxedo, but also a suit or even a simple coat and tie teamed with a good pair of pants and sharp formal shoes. Women can potentially wear cocktail dresses of varying lengths, although shorter dresses should be saved for daytime events. When in doubt, it is perfectly acceptable to ask your host for clarification of the intended level of formality.

Dressing children for black tie events

For black tie affairs, children should dress in formal wear with dress shoes, although they do not necessarily need to look as dressed up as adults. Make sure hair is clean and neatly combed, and try to keep children's clothing as stain-free as possible. Many black tie events are for adults only, so you should plan for a babysitter unless your invitation specifically includes children or family.

Identifying black tie occasions

Black tie events include, but are not limited to, weddings, bar or bat mitzvahs, proms, milestone anniversaries and sometimes even milestone birthdays. Some social circles also include debutante balls and quinceaneras as black tie events.

Your black tie invitation is an opportunity to look your best when honoring an extremely special occasion. Dressing up for these celebrated events is a terrific way to pay respect to your host and fellow guests.