Black Tie, Gala, and Business Formal — a guest's guide to dress codes

Six codes you'll meet in Moscow

White Tie — tailcoat, white bow tie, gloves. Embassy balls and closed charitable galas. For the lady: a full-length evening gown plus opera-length gloves.

Black Tie — tuxedo, black bow tie, silk lapels. Theatre premieres and formal dinners. The lady: a floor-length gown or an elegant midi with covered shoulders.

Black Tie Optional / Creative — a dark suit is acceptable, provided it carries no print. Room for interpretation, but not the everyday "office plus".

Cocktail — for men, a tailored suit; for the lady, a cocktail dress to the knee. Often at business receptions after 6 p.m.

Business Formal — a business suit with closed shoes. Conferences, B2B dinners, negotiations with foreign partners. The lady: a sober dress or suit in a minimal palette.

Smart Casual — no torn jeans, but also no full jacket. Chinos, shirt, loafers. The lady: a midi dress or trousers with a silk blouse.

Where guests most often miss

— Treating Black Tie as "any dark suit will do". At the reception it is immediately clear who arrived in a tuxedo and who didn't. — Ladies wearing accessories that rattle — charm bracelets at dinner disturb other guests. — Wrong shoes for the code: loafers at White Tie, platform heels at Cocktail.

Matching the companion to the code

In the Moscowskiy catalogue, the editors note which formats each companion has worked. If you have Black Tie this evening, look for the gala-experience tag. At booking the manager will confirm the code and brief on what to bring along.