Black Tie Party Etiquette

To make the black tie affair a success, everyone must feel at ease and render their roles well. Often, the occasion's formality serves only as a recall of older norms: these days, wearing black tie is all about looking one's best, but the same old rules of civility and good manners in any situation applies. Read more about black tie ettiquette below.

It all starts with the attire: contemporary black tie takes off from dinner jacket and a black bow tie for men, and a floor-length evening ball dress or gown for women. The more conservative black attire affairs will stipulate the allowable cuts and styles in the dinner jacket or gown's details.

Get to know people: chances are you'll be meeting perfect strangers at the black tie affair if you're the guest. If you're the host, keep an eye out for people you'll want to be talking together. Introduce yourself at the right times to fellow guests you're meeting for the first time. Eye contact is the way to handle introductions and conversations with tact; it's the fastest way to demonstrate attention and respect.

Be ready: if you're having a drink or a canape, use your left hand so you're ready to shake hands with people throughout the event. Conversation topics are best led away from religion and politics, particularly if you haven't been talking before. Risque jokes can backfire, and are better left for a more appropriate time.

Drink moderately: black tie events are the last places you would want to be seen soused or led tottering away, unless you're a master at discreet embriation. Alcohol is a great social lubricant in small amounts, meaning two glasses, tops. Black Tie Party Ideas

Black and White: theme and decors reflect the dominant colours of the evening, seting the right tone for a mature, elegant occasion.

Anniversaries: highlight special milestones in life with a celebration a notch up from previous years. Black tie attire, a live band, dancing and a formal dinner.

School Formal: hold the after-party at someone's house, or gather up after a night of dancing and go around town before crashing in, designated drivers for everyone required.

Black tie with a twist: everyone comes in formal wear, but once you step in, it's barefoot, or everyone wears thongs, pumps, or silly footwear.

Good for two: opera night is a good excuse to dress up in black tie. Cap the romantic night with wine and a promenade.

Black tie for a cause: hold a dinner for cancer research, or garner support for local charities.