Events that impose a ‘black tie’ dress code might seem a little daunting to the uninitiated. If you're the type of person who lives in and (we don't blame you - comfort ultimately king), being asked to stare down the barrel of a super formal occasion is unnerving. It could be a or a gala that calls for black tie, or, when winter rolls in, which, after all, 'tis the season for all-out events, getting your head around a formal dress code is well worth doing.
For , Balenciaga presented a riff on classic black gowns. Known for his expert drapery, Creative Director Demna Gvasalia played with asymmetry and caplet details. There were also printed gowns with trains and white lace one-shoulder looks to find inspiration.
Schiaparelli brought the drama also for its spring ready-to-wear collection, and while the styling might be a little on the extreme side, voluminous one-shoulder satin gowns and ruched bustier dresses are a great reference point. That being said, there is a lot of confusion around what black tie means, specifically black tie for women. Do you have to wear a floor length dress? Does it have to actually be black? Do you have to cover your shoulders? That sort of thing.
Let us help you decipher the dress code with our easy-breezy guide: lthough, historically, people have interpreted black tie to mean a floor-length evening gown, the pavement-grazing nature of your dress is not a pre-requisite for the dress code. Black tie was invented in the Edwardian era and entailed.