The best tuxedos for women are one of the most powerful wardrobe pieces you can own. Offering a polished alternative to your favourite party dresses, whilst still feeling timeless and elegant. Whether you're planning for a special occasion, winter nuptials or simply a festive party, a great tux is a winning choice.
An excellently tailored tux will ensure you exude confidence at any big event. Helping you to stand a little taller 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 Christmas party outfits, 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 with a silky cami and heels for a special occasion, or wear your tuxedo jacket as part of your jeans and a blazer outfit with trainers for a more directional feel. We do, however, even if you wear your two-piece suit 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.
This satin-trimmed tuxedo jacket has a classic appeal with its double-breasted design and soft black finish. To create a flawless, tailored look, team this sleek blazer with the matching wide-leg suit trousers. For an off-duty look, style with your favourite denim jeans.
Add dimension to your tailored look with these wool-blend trousers from the coveted M&S x 16Arlington collection. They have a fluid, wide-leg shape and longer length that’s designed to drape beautifully. This collection offers a chance to shop 16Arlington's design expertise for high-street prices.
The backbone of every good winter capsule wardrobe, black court heels will never fail to elevate an outfit, especially when worn alongside smart tailoring. This pair from Mint Velvet feature a soft material finish and striking stiletto heels.
From a chic wedding dress alternative to a stylish answer for what to wear to a christening, this burgundy tuxedo jacket works for almost every special occasion. It has a deep berry shade, a fitted silhouette and features tuxedo peak lapels. Now discounted in the sale, we reccomend shopping it right now.
These tux trousers offer a modern take on black tie occasionwear, and they feature a smart satin waistband and front seam detailing. They are designed to fall to a wide leg silhouette, which works perfectly when styled with either stiletto or wedge heels.
This beautifully camisole is made from 100% soft silk. It features feminine lace detailing along the V-neckline making a great staple to layer underneath a tailored tuxedo jacket.
ME+EM are no strangers to the power suit, and this exceptional tuxedo jacket has all the classic hallmarks of a black tie design. The satin collar creates a striking statement that will pair well with camisoles or blouses and the front closure allows for a neat front finish.
These suit trousers are the ultimate investment pieces that can be styled with almost anything from your wardrobe. They feature long front pleats and a draped, wide-leg silhouette that elongates your legs. Plus, the wool-blend fabric makes them a warmer choice in the winter season.
Finish off your elegant partywear with this glitzy clutch bag. Suitable for wearing alongside a range of shades and patterns, this silver clutch will see you through the festive season in style.
This tux features light-catching, satin-style lapels, making it reminiscent of classic smoking jackets, giving it a particularly glamorous feel. You can wear this tuxedo jacket paired with the matching suit trousers, or layer it over your favourite little black dress for an event-ready look.
These mid-waist trousers feature a flattering cropped length that makes them perfect for showing off a pair of strappy stilettos or some pointy slingbacks. The curved silhouette and front seam make them feel far more expensive than they actually are. For a special occasion, pair with the matching tux jacket and add glitzy statement earrings.
Dressing for special occasions is easy with these satin heeled sandals. They feature a high stiletto heel and a flattering peep toe design that we've seen resurfacing this year. Finish off your favourite tailoring, dresses or even a jumpsuit with these heels.
Nadine Merabi is known for crafting some of the best evening attire. This punchy red velvet blazer, with satin lapels and matching trousers, £245, 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.
These red trousers are made from luxurious red velvet fabric, making them a festive choice. They have a flattering flared-leg design and a red velvet seam to the front of each leg that adds a dose of extra glamour. We've spotted several A-listers donning red velvet suits recently, from Celia Imrie to Rebel Wilson.
Finish off your tuxedo with these sparkly earrings from M&S. Their statement design and large shape make them a standout choice for elevating your partywear. Wear them with your hair in an up-do to really make them pop.
Made from a soft wool-blend twill, this blazer offers an updated take on the classic tuxedo. It features softly shaped shoulders and a smart single-breasted design that makes it a sophisticated pick. White tailoring is always a great choice if you want to make a lasting impression.
Style the Reiss tux jacket with these tailored white flared trousers that are made from a smooth, midweight twill. They have a long floor-length design that elongates the legs, and a front seam which adds an elegant finishing touch to their design. For a more smart-casual dress code, style these with a lace blouse or lightweight jumper.
This camisole is a versatile staple that can be worn numerous ways. Notably, it will work to elevate a tailored blazer and structured trousers, although you could also tuck it into jeans on off-duty days too.
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 the best trouser suits 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 VMAs, 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 autumn/winter fashion trends 2025, and as tuxedos for women are 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 in a 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.
