Best black tie dresses 2024: formal frocks for wedding receptions, cocktail parties and big bashes
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Men’s black tie is easy and instantly pleasing. There’s something about a pristine cut, a sleek lapel and a bow tie that brings the phwoar-factor.
But women in black tie attire? Now that’s a different ball(gown) game.
Black tie dress codes for women are more open to interpretation than men’s. While there are some obvious boxes to tick such as a floor-skimming silhouette and opulent fabrics such as velvet, silk, satin and lace, women’s black tie attire is a golden opportunity to bring out the big guns.
Crystals, heirloom jewels and cascades of pearls are all part and parcel of traditional black tie dressing. Outfits can range from demure and minimalist to dramatic and voluminous. Evening bags make for a dazzling arm candy comrade. Makeup can be applied daringly. There are many pieces to the jigsaw puzzle of formal dressing.
That said, there’s no greater hurdle to clear than selecting the right dress for the occasion. Conventionally, black tie dresses adopt a longline form in rich colourways, but the odd short style isn’t unwelcome - especially in our book.
Brands such as Ghost, Reiss and Karen Millen supply consumers with an array of formal gowns to consider, spanning figure-sculpting strapless numbers to sequinned midis.
It’s important to note that black tie gowns rarely dip under the £100. Unless you’re a veteran sales sifter, expect to splash out to source your dream dress. But considering high-quality occasionwear will see you through many years, we’d say it’s a sound investment.
Plus, if there’s any scope at all for us to mirror iconic black tie dress moments of the silver screen, we’re down for the gown. Think Keira Knightly’s emerald dress in Atonement, Kate Hudson’s buttery yellow satin number in How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days and any Bond Girl to ever exist. An exquisite black tie dress is worthy of any Hollywood red carpet.
Scroll on for our curation of the best dresses for swanky dos, evening receptions and black tie galas.
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Reiss Spencer Halston Sequin Strapless Maxi Dress
Ghost Florence Halter Neck Satin Dress
Ghost’s Florence dress is a sophisticated piece to roll out time and again. Perfect for all occasions from prom to black tie galas, operas and balls, the backless garment is an instant sartorial success.
Shushu/Tong Corset Velvet Mini Dress
Posh dining dates require a traffic-stopping look with a dash of timelessness. Shushu/Tong's corseted dress comes complete with a romantic sweetheart halter neck in a sumptuous ebony velvet.
Faithfull The Brand + NET SUSTAIN Santiana Dress
Model height: 5’10
Omnes Iris Maxi Dress
Rixo Doutzen Embellished Gown
Showcasing a traditional black hue topped off with glistening jewel-embellishments, Rixo’s Doutzen gown is a one-shoulder show-stopper inspired by the cult brand’s hand-painted Waterblossom Floral print.
Arket Satin Maxi Dress
Marrying clean-cut elegance and an inky black colourway, Arket’s satin maxi dress is textbook black tie elegance. Spaghetti straps and a romantic cowl neckline create an evergreen occasionwear piece.
Sir Aries Lace-Trimmed Silk Slip Dress
Take the floor in a stunning lemon-yellow slip dress. Sir’s serene yet sunny Aries number features a lustrous layer of silk trimmed with a froth of delicate black lace, adding a Gothic dimension to the radiant garment.
Karen Millen Floral Strapless Premium Satin Panelled Woven Midaxi Dress
An ethereal blend of ivory satin and web-like black florals, Karen Milen’s strapless number is a sensual yet sophisticated choice for spring-into-summer dos.
Hutch Bow Halter Slim Mini Dress
Ooze elegance in an Eighties-inspired mini dress. This pastel-hued garment comes complete with a sweet halterneck and petite bow detailing. Pair with a delicate evening bag and kitten heels.
River Island Black Satin Corsage Bodycon Midi Dress
Tap into the ongoing penchant for corsage detailing with River Island’s affordable slip number. The piece bares the shoulders and skims the ankles, so it's worth cracking out the hydrating body oil to ensure the skin on show is perfection.
Nicholas Ana Satin Halterneck Maxi Dress
Rixo Cerise Midi Dress Plus
Navy is a failsafe tone to take you into the early hours. Shimmer under the lights in Rixo’s Cerise gown, available to buy in sizes 6-26 in a range of prints and colourways.
French Connection Echo Organza Mix Frill Strapless Midi Dress
Emerge from a plume of organza ruffles in French Connection’s Echo Midi Dress. A hip-hugging number with a splash of frilled drama, the operatic piece will never fail out of fashion.
Abadia Yara Paneled Hammered-Satin Gown
