BLACK TIE NOT OPTIONAL

Gala Season 2017: Let These Gowns Be Your Black Tie Inspiration


Yes, it’s that time of year again: gala season, the stretch of February to May where the social calendar fills up night after night with black tie affairs. It can be daunting, to say the least, to find a different extravagant gown for each evening. Should you go with something streamlined and body-hugging, romantic and flowing, or full-on can’t-fit-though-the-door tulle ballgown? Luckily, there are plenty of options to go around. For the most fashion-forward formalwear, look no further than the Fall 2017 runways, which had a gorgeous, gala-ready gown for every cool shearling jacket or deconstructed shirt. At Valentino, Pierpaolo Piccioli embraced his love for the color pink in feminine gowns in several shades of the hue, while at Oscar de la Renta, Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia made a case for the tea-length gown, decking out their version in rainbow sequins. For more of the best gowns to find inspiration from this gala season—or whatever your black-tie event—click through.

1
Oscar de la Renta

A model walks at the Oscar de la Renta Fall 2017 runway show.

2
Zuhair Murad

A model walks at the Zuhair Murad Fall 2017 runway show.

3
Gucci

A model walks at the Gucci Fall 2017 runway show.

4
Erdem

A model walks at the Erdem Fall 2017 runway show.

5
Chanel

A model walks at the Chanel Fall 2017 runway show.

6
Brandon Maxwell

A model walks at the Brandon Maxwell Fall 2017 runway show.

7
Giorgio Armani

A model walks at the Giorgio Armani Fall 2017 runway show.

8
Carolina Herrera

A model walks at the Carolina Herrera Fall 2017 runway show.

9
Dior

A model walks at the Dior Fall 2017 runway show.

10
Loewe

A model walks at the Loewe Fall 2017 runway show.

11
Naeem Khan

A model walks at the Naeem Khan Fall 2017 runway show.

12
Balenciaga

A model walks at the Balenciaga Fall 2017 runway show.

13
Jason Wu

A model walks at the Jason Wu Fall 2017 runway show.

14
Altuzarra

A model walks at the Altuzarra Fall 2017 runway show.

15
Valentino

A model walks at the Valentino Fall 2017 runway show.

16
Alberta Ferretti

A model walks at the Alberta Ferretti Fall 2017 runway show.

17
Alexander McQueen

A model walks at the Alexander McQueen Fall 2017 runway show.

18
Marchesa

A model walks at the Marchesa Fall 2017 runway show.

19
Alexis Mabille

A model walks at the Alexis Mabille Fall 2017 runway show.