Black Tie Etiquette

Long dresses tend to be a more elevated choice, therefore I always recommend full length gowns, especially if one is attending a high level event.

My past week was quite busy, exhausting, but also very successful. The picture above was taken at Saturday's gala dinner, which reminded me that ball season has just started, so it is the perfect time to share a few lines about “Black Tie Attire.” 

Apart from “White Tie Attire,” “Black Tie” is the most formal of all dress codes. It requires a sophisticated level of dressing. For women, the code typically calls for a floor-length dress or gown. While cocktail dresses can be an appropriate option for Black Tie (when the dress is stipulated as “Black Tie optional”), long dresses tend to be a more elevated choice, therefore I always recommend full length gowns, especially if one is attending a high level event. 

Cary Grant was the epitome of elegance in traditional “black tie” — “No matter what extremes Hollywood people go to in making black tie garish and tieless, the real thing retains its unassailable verve, élan and sheer swankiness.” —
Glenn O’Brien, GQ’s Original ‘Style Guy’ - Photo source, Pinterest 

For men, a traditional tuxedo and accompaniments is called for when the dress code is “Black Tie.” A traditional tuxedo consists of a black dinner jacket and matching trousers, a white formal shirt, a black bowtie, an optional black formal waistcoat, black socks and black formal shoes. It is so easy for men, right?

Contributor, Gabriella Kanyok, is a diplomatic protocol, etiquette and communication expert with more than 10 years' experience in working with EU institutes, NGOs, international organisations, and supporting professionals. She not only advises and trains government and EU officials, and businessmen in the field of diplomatic protocol and business etiquette, but she leads the communication department of an international organisation. Gabriella holds a Master’s degree in International Studies, and a Master’s in Protocol, Diplomacy and Cross Cultural Relations. She speaks Hungarian, English and French, and is currently learning Mandarin Chinese

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