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

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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. Full Dress Vest – White Tie Waistcoat
  3. White Tie Marcella Piqué Bib Shirt
  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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