Welcome to the Black Tie Guide

The Ultimate Resource for all things Tuxedo, Black Tie & Formal Evening Wear. The Trusted Tuxedo Knowledgebase since 2006.

Black Bow Tie in Silk Satin Sized Butterfly Self Tie with Red Carnation Boutonniere and Classic White Irish Linen Pocket square
Black Tie Guide Intro Bow Tie in Silk Satin Sized Butterfly Self Tie with Red Carnation Boutonniere and Classic White Irish Linen Pocket square

Explore the Guide

Chapter One: Introduction To The Black Tie Guide

  1. How To Get The Most Out Of The Black Tie Guide
  2. Tuxedo, Dinner Jacket, Smoking & Black Tie -What's the Difference?
  3. Story of the Black Tie Guide

Chapter Two: Black Tie & Tuxedo Etiquette

  1. Definition: What Is Black Tie, Tux or Tuxedo
  2. What is White Tie? The Bigger Brother of Black Tie
  3. When & Where Can You Wear Black Tie?
  4. Why Black Tie & Formal Dress Codes Matter
  5. Black Tie Dress Code Explained
  6. Black Tie Optional Dress Code, Explained

Chapter Three: Black Tie & Tuxedo History

  1. Regency Origins of Black Tie – 1800s
  2. Regency Evolution (1800 – '30s) – Colorful Tailcoat & Cravat
  3. Early Victorian Men's Clothing: Black Dominates 1840s – 1880s
  4. Late Victorian Dinner Jacket Debut – 1880s
  5. Full & Informal Evening Dress 1890s
  6. Edwardian Tuxedos & Black Tie – 1900s – 1910s
  7. Jazz Age Tuxedo -1920s
  8. Depression Era Black Tie – 1930s Golden Age of Tuxedos
  9. Postwar Tuxedos & Black Tie – Late 1940s – Early 1950s
  10. Jet Age Tuxedos – Late 1950s – 1960s
  11. Counterculture Black Tie Tuxedo 1960s – 1970s
  12. Tuxedo Rebirth – The Yuppie Years – 1970s
  13. Tuxedo Redux – The 1980s & 1990s
  14. Millennial Era Black Tie – 1990s – 2000s
  15. Tuxedos in 2010s
  16. Future of Tuxedos & Black Tie

Chapter Four: Classic Black Tie – The Gold Standard

  1. Classic Tuxedo – Dinner Suits
  2. Classic Evening Waistcoats, Vests, & Cummerbunds
  3. Classic Tuxedo Shirts
  4. Classic Neckwear – The Black Bow Tie
  5. Classic Tuxedo Shoes – Patent Leather Oxfords & Pumps
  6. How To Find The Right Black Bow Tie For Your Tux and Face
  7. Classic Accessories – Cufflinks, Studs & Co
  8. Classic Black Tie Outerwear
  9. Warm-Weather Black Tie – The (Off) White Dinner Jacket
  10. Classic Tuxedo Alternatives – How To Stand Out in Black Tie
  11. Non-Traditional Dinner Jacket Guide

Chapter Five: Contemporary Black Tie Tuxedo – Amending Perfection?

  1. Style Over Fashion – Lessons From The Past
  2. Contemporary Tuxedo
  3. Black-Tie Waist: Contemporary Evening Vests
  4. Contemporary Black-Tie Tuxedo Shirts
  5. Contemporary Neckwear – The Black Necktie et al
  6. Contemporary Tuxedo Shoes, Black Tie Accessories, and Outerwear
  7. Contemporary Alternatives and Personalization

Chapter Six: Tuxedo Fit & Style Basics 101

  1. Tuxedo Style Basics
  2. How A Tuxedo Should Fit
  3. Tuxedo Maintenance & Care
  4. How To Tie A Bow Tie
  5. How To Fold A Pocket Square

Chapter Seven: Black Tie & Tuxedo Buying Guide

  1. Tuxedos & Dinner Jacket Buying Guide
  2. Tuxedo Accessories Shopping Guide
  3. Custom, MTM & Bespoke Tuxedos
  4. The Black Tie Watch Primer
  5. Tuxedo Buying Basics

Chapter Eight: Vintage Evening Wear

  1. Vintage Black Tie Etiquette & Dress Codes
  2. Vintage Tailcoats & Tuxedos
  3. Vintage Evening Waistcoats & Cummerbunds
  4. Vintage Evening Shirts
  5. Vintage Evening Neckwear
  6. Vintage Evening Footwear
  7. Vintage Evening Accessories
  8. Vintage Evening Outerwear
  9. Vintage Warm-Weather Evening Wear
  10. Vintage Evening Weddings
  11. Retro Evening Wear

Chapter Nine: Advanced Black Tie & Tux Coverage

  1. Black Tie, Tuxedo & White Tie Evening Wear Glossary
  2. Black Tie Dress Code for Women – Ladies' Evening Wear
  3. Tuxedo Black Tie Myths & Merits Debunked
  4. Orders Decorations & Medals with Black Tie & White Tie
  5. Clerical Formal Wear
  6. Military Formal Attire – Mess Dress
  7. Scottish Highland Dress, Irish, and Welsh Formal Black Tie & White Tie Attire
  8. Women's Tuxedos and Tailcoats
  9. Smoking Jacket Guide
  10. Formal Evening Wedding Attire & Etiquette
  11. How To Wear A Tuxedo Like James Bond

Chapter Ten: White Tie Guide

  1. White Tie Evening Tailcoat & Trousers (Dress Suit)
  2. White Tie Marcella Piqué Bib Shirt
  3. Full Dress Vest – White Tie Waistcoat
  4. White Tie Marcella Piqué Bow Tie
  5. White Tie Accessories & Shoes
  6. White Tie DOs and DON'Ts
  7. White Tie Shopping & Buying Guide

Chapter Eleven: Morning Wear Guide


    Additional Resources

    1. Glossary
    2. Blog
    3. Pocket Guide
    4. Shop

    “This guide has everything you need to know about dressing for Black Tie events. There’s a lot that I did not know and have been making mistakes. It really is the perfect guide!”

    Nicholas K.

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