Stylist Tells Us 5 Things You Shouldn't Wear To A Black-Tie Event

Fashion is often about pushing boundaries, and some black-tie affairs specifically celebrate the avant-garde. That's how we end up with memorable ensembles like some of the Met Gala's most unforgettable looks. However, breaking fashion rules is a double-edged sword — when it works, it really works, but when it fails, whoo boy.

That's why it's often better to toe the line of tradition when attending something with a strict dress code, such as a black-tie event. Whether it's a wedding, a fundraiser, or a New Year's Eve gala, you want to make sure you're turning heads for all the right reasons. In other words, there are certain staples to lean on, and certain style landmines to assiduously avoid.

To find out which styling mishaps are most likely to ruin a formalwear look, Glam spoke exclusively to celebrity fashion stylist Melvin Styles. As showcased on his Instagram account, Styles has a lot of experience dressing famous names like Nicki Minaj and Wyclef Jean — including for black-tie (or red-carpet) events. Best of all, his fashion tricks don't just work for the rich and fabulous. If you need help assembling a look for your next formal occasion, Styles clues us in on which pieces to avoid and what to wear instead.

When it comes to black-tie events, color is already right there in the name. And while you don't have to show up in monochrome black to stay on theme, stylist Melvin Styles believes that choosing the wrong hue is a definite faux pas. "I have to say, spring/summer bright colors — like neons, bright orange, bright yellow, bright pinks — definitely don't land for me at a black-tie [event]," Styles says. "And I don't care if it is a spring/summer black-tie affair. Those brights are a hard no for me." Fair enough. Neons may be great eye-catchers, but we can't think of a color scheme more antithetical to the clean lines of a tux.

If poppy colors are out, though, what shades should we be wearing? For uncertain fashionistas, Styles urges a return to classic and reliable palettes: " ... you can never go wrong with choosing black — especially if you are pressed for time, low on coins, or not the best at putting your look together. It's easier to just go classic!" After all, there are reasons we all love wearing black: It's versatile and universal, and makes many people feel powerful.

The one downside is that opting for black might seem boring or expected. However, Styles puts this into perspective. "Your personality should be your color, honestly. Your smile, your aura," the stylist exclusively tells Glam. Still, he concedes that certain tasteful hues can still work in a black-tie environment. "If you do decide you want to play with color, keep it minimal — like splashes of color maybe in your jewelry or your makeup. But absolutely no brights! Keep it moody. Dark greens, navy blue, midnight blue, [or] dark reds like wine red, cherry red, [and] burgundy."

Black-tie looks demand precision, and even when an outfit's concept and design are above reproach, poor fitting has landed many a star on the worst-dressed list. We're reminded of Dua Lipa's droopy silver gown, which earned her place among the worst-dressed celebs at the 2024 Grammy Awards, or the alternately straining and gaping fit of Katy Perry's dreadfully tailored lavender skirt suit, which we counted in the 10 worst looks at King Charles' coronation. As fashion expert Melvin Styles succinctly puts it, a black-tie event is "a sexy, chic, elegant, and classy affair, so clothes should fit."

What does that look like in practice? Speaking exclusively to Glam, Styles goes into further detail. "I love a body-conscious gown with a plunging neckline or a very low back, or even a ball gown with a corset top that flares out with a high slit. And you can never go wrong with a European-cut tuxedo that fits to the T."

Personal styling and aesthetics aside, the fit can truly make or break any outfit. "I see so many people in designer tuxedos and gowns that don't hit the mark completely because they didn't invest in tailoring," Styles laments. "Listen, I am all about designer clothing, but if it doesn't come with a tailor, you should probably go in a different direction." Or, at the very least, find your own skilled and reliable tailor to make the necessary alterations to complement your unique form. Your body deserves to be celebrated, so if there's one takeaway from Styles' expertise, let it be this: "Nothing at a black-tie affair should be ill-fitting; spend a little extra on a tailor!"

We won't deny that some hats can be downright fancy, but unless your next black-tie event is a royal wedding, headwear like hats, veils, and fascinators probably aren't in demand. "Hats at a black-tie affair may seem like a cool idea as an accessory to your look," says fashion expert Melvin Styles, but he argues that the rule should be, "Hats off at a black-tie affair!" Why? In simple terms, they distract from a chic ensemble and cover up guests' perfectly coiffed hair — which should be a key component of the total look.

On the subject of hair, Styles offers further opinions about the best black-tie styling. "This event is about men cleaning up, whether they have long hair, braids (that should be straight to the back), Caesar cuts, [or] exfoliated bald heads," he exclusively outlines for Glam. As for women, Styles suggests hat-free options such as "sleek volume, romance curls, snatched ponies, and structured cuts."

If you're facing inclement weather on your way to the event, you may be inclined to don a matching formal hat for warmth or to protect your makeup. We'd argue that a scarf or an umbrella might be a better choice, but even if you absolutely must wear hats coming and going, Styles at least insists that you doff them for the event itself. "No hats!" he says. "Leave them in the coat room!" Otherwise, you may end up looking better suited to the Kentucky Derby than whatever event you're actually attending.

When the weather turns chilly, it may seem totally natural to add an extra layer of warmth to your event ensemble. After all, classic knits like cable-knit sweaters are always in style. You may even go the extra mile by choosing a premium finish to go with your black-tie look, such as cashmere or merino wool. Unfortunately, celebrity stylist Melvin Styles doesn't think that's good enough to justify sneaking a sweater into your formalwear.

"There's nothing worse than coming to a black tie in a sweater!" Styles avers, explaining that they just don't bring the right gravity and sophistication for an upscale event. "Sweaters, for me, are for layering an everyday look," he says, suggesting that they're a perfect fit for lounging by a fire or cuddling up on the sofa for some Netflix. In other words, sweaters are for casual or semi-formal use only.

Even if you disagree with this sartorial opinion, sweaters still may not gel with your black-tie event. As Styles exclusively points out to Glam, there's a practical concern to wearing a sweater layered into your tuxedo or pulled on over your gown. "Sweaters can also be hot," Styles says. "Imagine sweating all night at the black-tie affair. Awkward!" That's why he instead recommends, "Keep your sweaters at home for warmth and for your fall/winter ready-to-wear looks."

The pressure of a black-tie dress code can make it hard to see the line between simple elegance and a look that's too basic, luring us to overdo it. But if you're feeling tempted to start adding to your outfit, Styles cautions against going overboard. In his book, chic layers are all you need — especially "light layers, sleek layers, and layers with texture."

This can manifest through outerwear or accessories. "I love when women add a bolero or a shawl to their gowns, and I love to see when a man adds a silk or cashmere scarf," Styles admits exclusively to Glam. He adds that gloves can be a quick way to elevate any black-tie look, particularly "a leather glove on a man or any appropriate opera glove on a woman."

Still not sure if you've done enough? For a final, make-or-break accessory that anyone can afford, Styles suggests knocking 'em out with your smile. "Turn that frown upside down when you get to the black-tie affair," the stylist recommends. "Your outfit alone should make you feel good and have you smiling. There's nothing better than a good look with a good smile!"