What to wear to a gala is an ever-evolving question—as is the quest to find the perfect gala gown.

Is your summer social calendar suddenly blossoming with glamorous events? Black-tie affairs, over-the-top birthdays, a grand night at the ballet, or a glitzy charity function? Getting inspired for evening wear that turns heads as much as it sticks to sometimes strict fête dress codes can feel quite overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be all about the ball gown or a salary-slashing investment dress this side of the century—these days, short and midi dresses can also fly in certain circumstances too, and there’s plenty of ways to go glam that don’t break the bank. Gala attire, too, has gotten with the times.

Whether you are on the hunt for a dress to wear to that next grand charity function or deducing what the dress code even means—we’ve called upon some of the most well-dressed gala attendees Vogue knows to give their glitz-busting advice. Below, the the Vogue guide for what to wear to a gala, to keep you feeling chic, timeless, and comfortable while fêting whatever the night calls for. A toast!

Know your gala

Heading to a charity ball, an art gallery dinner, or the opening season of the New York ballet? It’s important to consider the cultural landscape of the room you’re dressing for.

“Like all things in life, galas require context,” advises Vogue’s Lilah Ramzi-Goettemann, who knows her way around attending and dressing for a gala event. “A black-tie fundraiser at the Whitney Museum of American Art? One might dabble in the artful and avant-garde. A medical benefit for breast cancer research? Save the fashion stunts—this is a night for reverence and restraint.”

“There is no shame in looking up a dress code,” says Elle McPherson-Yoon, an expert in dressing timelessly and chicly for a night gala-ing. She points to iconic etiquette and social behavior resources like Emily Post and Debrett’s for some further reading. “Then, I’d say read and understand your invitation well!” she adds. “The style of the actual invitation should reflect the tone of the event, and tell you about the host, purpose of the event, and season. I would also look up the venue and images from years past if possible.”

How to dress for dress codes

In need of gala dress code tips? What exactly is gala attire? Well, it can vary. But most broadly and commonly:

Black tie

Simply, it’s a step above cocktail attire and one below “white tie.” (More on that later). When it comes to “black tie,” you can generally assume, most simply, that means a long dress for women. But make sure yours comes in an evening-worthy fabric, like lace, chiffon, tulle, or velvet. If the event feels a bit more relaxed, a short dress could cut it if it feels formal and elevated enough, but for peace of mind, we suggest a floor-hitting look. For men (or anyone who wants to wear the more masculine style, really), consider a tuxedo and white dress shirt, and a black bow tie with your dinner jacket.

White tie

While black tie has overwhelmingly replaced the white tie dress code, it can crop up—just like it did for the 2022 Costume Institute Gala, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.”