evening dress
Black-tie garment
Evening dress is formal attire worn to elegant social occasions—galas, balls, opera openings.
For women, this typically means a floor-length gown; for men, a tuxedo or tailcoat.
The term can refer to the category of clothing or a specific garment: She bought a new evening dress for the charity auction.
Also called evening wear or formal wear.
Formal evening dress code
- white-tieStrictest evening dress code
- ball gownFormal full-length dress
- tuxedoMen's formal evening attire
- tailcoatCutaway evening jacket
floor-length · train · bodice · sweetheart neckline · strapless · halterneck · backless · empire waist
Small reflective fabric ornaments
- beadingOrnamental small-sphere work
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- crystalsSolids with ordered structure
- rhinestonesImitation diamond crystals
pearls · appliqué · ruching · pleating · draping · ruffles · tiered · flounce
Cultured elegance and complexity
- glamourFascinating, elegant attractiveness
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- refinementElegance of manner
chic · style · panache · grandeur · opulence · luxury · exclusivity · haute couture
Fine woven insect fiber
- satinGlossy-surfaced woven cloth
- velvetThick-pile textile
- chiffonDelicate transparent textile
- taffetaSmooth, lustrous woven cloth
tulle · lace · brocade · organza · crepe · charmeuse · duchesse · mikado
Festive formal occasion
- operaTheatrical art combining song
- premiereFirst public performance
- banquetFormal celebratory meal
- receptionAct of receiving guests
fundraiser · charity ball · soiree · red carpet · ceremony · debutante ball · cotillion · awards show
black-tie
Formal evening dress code
- white-tieStrictest evening dress code
- ball gownFormal full-length dress
- tuxedoMen's formal evening attire
tailcoat · floor-length · train · bodice · sweetheart neckline · strapless · halterneck · backless · empire waist · A-line
sequins
Small reflective fabric ornaments
- beadingOrnamental small-sphere work
- embroideryDecorative stitching on fabric
- crystalsSolids with ordered structure
rhinestones · pearls · appliqué · ruching · pleating · draping · ruffles · tiered · flounce · bow
sophistication
Cultured elegance and complexity
- glamourFascinating, elegant attractiveness
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
refinement · chic · style · panache · grandeur · opulence · luxury · exclusivity · haute couture · designer
silk
Fine woven insect fiber
taffeta · tulle · lace · brocade · organza · crepe · charmeuse · duchesse · mikado · jacquard
gala
Festive formal occasion
reception · fundraiser · charity ball · soiree · red carpet · ceremony · debutante ball · cotillion · awards show · state dinner
ballroom
Venue for formal dances
samba · rumba · quickstep · minuet · polonaise · mazurka · twirl · swirl · movement · flow
- formalwearball gown, tuxedo, formal gown, tux, dinner jacket
- Couturehaute couture, couturier, bespoke, made-to-measure, atelier
- hostess clubshostess, bottle service, champagne tower, hourly rate, regulars
- nighttimemidnight, nightfall, night sky, nighttime, starry sky
- ballroomschandelier, parquet floor, dance floor, orchestra, band
- Celtic attiresporran, tartan, balmoral, ghillies, trews
evening dresscasual wear
Informal, comfortable clothing
sweatpants · streetwear · loungewear · athleisure · sportswear
evening dressdaywear
Clothing for daytime hours
day dress · morning dress · work clothes · office wear · sundress
evening dressplain clothes
Non-uniform civilian dress
workwear · athletic wear · gym clothes · activewear · work clothes