How to Dress for a Black Tie Wedding

Fashion, ootd

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My mom’s side of the family is very wealthy, and anytime that I am around them, I feel an overwhelming need to look expensive to keep up appearances. When attending a wedding with them this year, the pressure is definitely on. Besides being around well to do people, I know that I will be eating in a restaurant fit for millionaires. If there is anything that I enjoy in life, that would be building outfits from scratch, and getting the look for less. This how to dress for a black tie wedding look book will inspire you to create an outfit that will make you look like a million bucks, but only you will know how inexpensive everything really is! I will take you piece by pice with my outfit and discuss why I am making the selections that I am. I will also talk about my makeup and hair. Finally, I have shoppable outfit pieces and makeup for you to start making your own outfit.

The Outfit

When I think about how to dress for a black tie wedding, I envision buying a dress that comes from the special occasion, evening, or even prom dress section of my favorite stores. My go-to is shopping from Dillard’s discount locations. If you are not familiar with those, they are Dillard’s stores that have been closed, gutted out, and filled entirely with clearance clothing. Let me just say, those stores are very overwhelming, so I typically only shop there when I am looking for something in particular. The dress in this post comes from a Dillard’s discount store. Other stores I also like include, but are not limited to, Macy’s and JCPenney. I start with a dress, then I build my outfit around it.

My dress most likely is a prom dress, but it is classy enough to pass for an evening look. I cannot believe the clearance price tag of $25! I bet the regular retail price of this dress is well over $100. The shawl is a nice, added bonus, as it will be my first time sporting one. The color of the dress is hard to describe, but it is darker than red, and lighter than burgundy (despite the fact that the tag says burgundy). I have a thing for reds, which drives my color choice. Shorter dresses are key for me due to my stature.

When it comes to outfits, I love my details, and this dress packs them on. The skirt portion is layered underneath with tulle and silky fabric to provide that ‘poof’ look. The top half is covered in lace-like mesh and studs that are almost jewel like, but I cannot put my finger on the color. Some look iridescent, while some look red. The back of the dress laces up. I also appreciate the deep-v neckline with the nude mesh. I do not feel like anything is hanging out, nor do I feel overexposed.

Dress: from Dillard’s
Shoes: Asos
Earrings and bracelet: INC from Macy’s
Rings: Lana from CVS
Clutch: No Boundaries from Walmart

For the accents, gold or rose gold are the best choices. Silver would not look good with this dress. I am sticking with gold, as it is the most prevalent when shopping. I am getting super lucky with the earrings and bracelet combo! The fabric flowers match the color of the dress perfectly. I am skipping a necklace with this look because there is enough going on at the top of the dress with the mesh and shiny jewel studs. Even though there is an open space on the collarbone where a necklace can go, I fear it might be too much.

When I am trying to look extra fancy, I make sure to accessorize with more than one piece of jewelry. Besides the matching bracelet and earrings, I am also adding on some stacked rings. Three distinct pieces are just enough.

I like to shop for special occasion jewelry from the same places I like to get dresses- Macy’s, Dillards, and JCPenney. Typically, their decent pieces range from $10-$25, and you can usually find something on sale. I definitely snagged a sale on my earrings and bracelet. However, I do urge you to check out your local CVS. Mine carries a costume jewelry brand called Lana, and it is only available in stores. I know you do not think about getting quality costume jewelry at a drugstore, but the Lana line is awesome! I have so many pieces from there, including the rings for this outfit.

black tie wedding outfit beading and tie back details

To continue with the gold accents, I have a pair of metallic gold heels. Shoes with multiple straps instantly add extra oomph to your outfit, so I always gravitate to those. The way the heels are cut on these shoes are very unique, which is why I picked them! Best of all, the chunkier the heel, the easier it is to walk in them, even if the heels are a bit higher than what you are comfortable with. The clutch handbag is totally a Walmart clearance steal. I already have this bag in other colors, so I know it is roomy enough to carry the extras that I need for the evening. The bag ties the metallic gold theme in nicely.

Related Post: Bridal Makeup Kit

I tend to control how many colors are present in an outfit, so the final ensemble features the burgundy red, gold, then the nude mesh and shiny studs on the top half of the dress. I will estimate that the entire outfit is costing me around $100 or a bit under, give or take, but it would be hundreds of dollars if I did not shop sale and clearance pieces. Without a doubt, this outfit appears to be expensive, but we all know the truth.

Shop my Black Tie Picks

Here are my picks to build your own black tie wedding outfit. Many of these pieces have multiple color options, so be sure to click the links to check those out! You can mix and match these choices to your heart’s content.

The Makeup

When it comes to how to dress for a black tie wedding, the makeup is just as important as the outfit itself. I am doing my powder foundation makeup routine, which is what I typically use for special events. It looks flawless on the skin, and is long lasting. Additionally, it supports wearing a face mask as a part of my newly discovered DIY mask hack to prevent my makeup from rubbing off. Here are the products I am using:

Related Post: How to Wear Makeup With a Face Mask

Hair

Honestly, I hate doing hair because it is my weakness, so this time I am turning to faux hair. But, when you consider how to dress for a black tie wedding, you cannot let hair fall by the wayside. My ponytail and headband are both from Insert Name Here. I do not have any affiliate links for them, but I am really obsessed with their products, so I am going to share them anyway. The ponytail is the Molly ponytail, and the headband is simply called the Braid Band. Both are in the shade champagne blonde. I wanted to go lighter than my natural hair color on purpose because I love being blonde. When it comes to special occasions, curly hair is something I cannot walk away from. I decided to brush my hair back and hide my part because I think that looks more natural with the braid.

Shop the Makeup

Related Post: Powder Foundation Makeup Routine

Conclusion

In summary of how to dress for a black tie wedding, the key to looking expensive is to shop sale and clearance finds. Start with your dress from an evening or special occasion department, then build your outfit around it. Consider a dress with plenty of fine details that draw the eyes in, but accessories are your best friend! I prefer costume jewelry that looks to be of higher quality, that also subtly adds shine and class. A strappy shoe can also aide you in appearing to be top of the line fabulous. I hope that my outfit, plus my shoppable recommendations, will steer you in the right direction. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

Do you enjoy getting all dressed up?