Black tie is a men's and women's dress code for evening events (after 6 p.m.) dating back from the 19th century. It is semi-formal - in the middle between white tie (the most formal) and business dress (less formal).
For this reason, the black-tie ensembles can display more variation in comparison to White tie. In general its components are:
- a jacket with silk facings on a shawl collar, peaked lapel or notched lapel;
- uncuffed trousers with a single silk or satin braid covering the outer seams;
- a black cummerbund or a low-cut waistcoat;
- a white dress shirt with a turndown or winged standing collar;
- French cuffs and cufflinks;
- a black silk bow tie;
- black dress silk or fine wool stockings;
- black shoes - patent leather court shoes, highly polished or patent leather Oxfords