The perfect alternative to party dresses, the best tuxedos for women offer a power dressing moment for those who love tailoring but need to up the ante when it comes to occasion ensembles. If you dread dresses, preferring a sharp two-piece, a tuxedo for women is the answer to your black tie dress code prayers.
With instant luxe factor, an excellently tailored tux will ensure you exude confidence at any big event. Helping you to stand a little taller and straighter as you enter any room, and it can't be beaten when it comes to upping the cool factor on cocktail hour. As classic as an LBD (little black dress), the best tuxedos for women, especially a timeless black iteration, will never go out of style, from what to wear to a wedding, to big work events, a tuxedo can be reinvented for multiple occasions simply by refreshing accessories. Try colour blocking your shoes, bag and jewellery to give your outfit a whole new feel.
A great investment piece, tuxedos can be dressed up or down and work as an alternative to the best cocktail dresses - add a silky cami and heels for a special occasion, or wear your tuxedo jacket with skinny jeans, a tee and trainers for a more directional feel when heading out to dinner. We do, however, even if you wear your two-piece separately, recommend you always dry clean your jacket and trousers together to ensure the colour of the fabric remains even.
Best tuxedos for women to shop this season
A great alternative to the best dresses a tuxedo is ideal for evening wear, and while gowns are most common amongst celebrities for big red carpet events, we do occasionally see a sharp tux making an appearance. A truly timeless design, these are our favourite tuxedos to slot into your wardrobe for this season and beyond.
Classic with a twist, this sleek two-piece from Spanish clothing brand Mango comprises of a pretty traditional tuxedo jacket with a more directional pair of flared tailored trousers. Sold as separates, you could team this elegant, satin collared design with an existing pair of tailored trousers, or with a pair of jeans for a smart-casual outfit idea.
Add a pop of colour to your evening wear rotation this summer, with this gorgeous bubblegum pink tuxedo jacket with matching trousers. Partway between a suit and a tuxedo, this two-piece can be worn as separates for added cost-per-wear, dressed up with sequins, or dressed down with a white t-shirt and trainers.
This flattering jumpsuit evokes a more directional feel on the classic tuxedo. The satin lapels stay true to the aesthetic, while the waist highlighting belt gives a universally flattering fit. The wrap-front is ideal for a fuller bust, while the slightly cropped trousers will elongate your legs. Refresh your tuxedo by switching up your accessories, addinga trending colour or new season bag.
VB, the catwalk queen is no stranger to a power suit, and this exceptional tuxedo jacket has all the classic hallmarks of a timeless black tie design. The deep satin, shawl collar creates a striking statement that will pair well over camisoles or blouses. The edge-to-edge front closure allows for a flat front finish, unobstructed by buttons. Matching trousers, £650,available.
Ideal for a wedding this summer, this striking mink-hued design has a delightfully warm weather look that will work from the ceremony into the evening party. The tux, despite being in a light-catching, satin-style fabric, is reminiscent of classic smoking jackets, giving this look a particularly glamorous, feel. The matching trousers, £35.99, make this a show-stopping duo.
Love the look of tailoring but still want a dress? This tuxedo dress in white is ideal for those looking for a rehearsal dinner dress, or debating what to wear to an engagement (as the bride-to-be). If you love the style but don't tick any of those boxes, it comes in black and navy, but sizes are selling fast. The tie waist makes it flattering across a midriff, with the satin belt, narrowing your silhouette. The classic collar and long sleeves add elegance.
Nadine Merabi is known for crafting some of the best evening attire and this punchy red velvet blazer, with satin lapels and matching trousers, £235 will certainly get you noticed at any event. A bold two-piece, the jacket can easily be separated and worn with black jeans or wide-leg pants on another occasion, making the jacket, despite its delicate fabrication, work harder in your wardrobe.
From a chic wedding dress alternative to a stylish answer for what to wear to a christening, a white tuxedo is slightly trickier to make work, as wearing it to a wedding is largely considered a faux pas (unless the bride has instructed guests otherwise). This elegantly cut suit, however, would work as the answer to what to wear to the races, or as a clever twist on Wimbledon outfits come June.
Italian fashion brand Max Mara makes some of the best outerwear, so it stands to reason that its jacket cuts are pretty sought after too. This exceptionally chic tuxedo jacket comes in a midnight blue body, with a black satin collar, a style combo that can't be beat. The dark blue is much less harsh than black but works equally well in all seasons.
Is a woman's tuxedo a good investment?
Wearable together or as separates, tuxedos can be worn in so many different ways, and as they are sold as individual items, you can get the perfect top and bottom fit.
If you're looking to learn how to style a blazer for added luxe factor, regardless of how much your tuxedo jacket costs, the most important thing is fit. A jacket that sits neatly across your shoulder (oversized or not), will immediately look more expensive. If you're buying a tuxedo off the peg, consider taking it to a good local tailor to get the trousers and jacket fitted to your shape. It's an easy way of creating a more bespoke finish to pieces and a fraction of the cost of made-to-measure.
Suits vs tuxedos: What is a tuxedo?
If you're wondering about the difference between a suit and a tuxedo, the answer is all in the fabric. A tuxedo features satin lapels (although some more modern iterations do not have this hallmark), often (but not always) in black, regardless of the colour of the jacket, the material also tends to have a slight sheen to it. Occasionally, the coordinating trousers will also feature a satin side stripe to add polish to the look. This has become slightly looser in recent years, particularly when looking at high street brand designs.
Introduced to the world by Edward VII when he had a bespoke blue silk tailless smoking jacket made by Savile Row tailors Henry Poole & Co. The jacket style then made its way to America and was worn by millionaire American financier James Brown Potter at the infamous Autumn Ball in Tuxedo Park, New York, and the rest, as they say, is history…
Thanks to their fancier aesthetic, tuxedos are a stylish choice for upping the ante on your partywear. Whether you’re after an alternative to party dresses or the best wedding guest dresses, a tuxedo looks achingly cool and does all the hard work for you, with minimal styling needed. A tuxedo always looks exquisite thanks to the satin details.
While the most timeless of tuxedos for women will be in black, we do occasionally see brightly coloured designs, which offer a hit of dopamine dressing, but have the potential to date more quickly than black or white counterparts.
When it comes to fabric, a regular suit will often be in wool or a wool mix in the winter, with linen a popular choice in the summer. For tuxedos, look for the most luxe fabric you can afford. From silk to velvet, it's the finer details that make this look stand out.
While traditionally it's all about a two piece, the popularity of the tuxedo has seen an explosion of tuxedo inspired dresses and jumpsuits which offer a softer and more contemporary take on the trend.
What shoes to wear with a tuxedo
Tuxedos look best teamed with a pair of barely-there heeled sandals, especially if it’s a show-stopping party look you’re going for. Tuxedo suits are predominantly black, so stick to the minimalist look and team with black sandals or courts - both are just as sleek. If you want to up the ante, you can also try a pair of metallic heeled sandals for a touch of sparkle.
If you're looking for comfortable flats, then opt for a pair with embellishment for a more dressed-up feel. This style works particularly well teamed with wide-leg trousers.
Alternatively, for a more dressed-down look, you can team your tux with a pair of the best white trainers. Much like the best blazer, a tuxedo jacket can be dressed down with footwear, just make sure the trainers are sparkly clean - try our guide on how to clean white shoes - to keep it looking smart and fresh.
Are tuxedos still in fashion?
Want proof that a good tuxedo for women won't date? They've made several appearances on the red carpet over the decades. Victoria Beckham donned a sleek black tuxedo and simple courts to a charity event back in 2010. Actress Dakota Johnson also wore a black double-breasted design to the InStyle Awards in 2015. And more recently, Gwyneth Paltrow brought the tuxedo back into the spotlight when she re-wore her iconic Gucci red velvet suit to the designer's Love Parade fashion show in Los Angeles in November 2021. She originally donned the two-piece in 1996 to that year's VMA's, proving just how well the tuxedo has stood the test of time. And we don't expect that to change anytime soon.
In addition to this, tailoring made a big impact on the spring/summer fashion trends 2025, and while tuxedos for women might be seen to be more aligned with winter party wear, they're a fantastic alternative to the best wedding guest dresses too, whatever the season. Most appropriate for evening occasions, this timeless cocktail into black tie look is one that you can wear year after year - think of it as the trouser wearer's alternative to the little black dress.
If you want catwalk inspiration, look to the likes of Saint Laurent, who is known for its 'smoking jacket' and is one of the big names most associated with the tuxedo for women aesthetic.
