New collection
Evening gown coloring pages (and what black tie means)
Nine full-length gowns drawn for coloring: a black mermaid with an ivory tulle train, chartreuse sequins, scarlet ruffles, liquid silver, oxblood velvet. And, because gowns come with invitations, a plain guide to evening dress codes.
Gowns have the largest zones of any coloring page, so they color fast and show fabric better than anything else: the same red reads completely differently as satin, velvet or sequins. Evening Atelier in Color the Look is a collection of them, drawn with real construction — boning, draping, trains, gloves.
Mermaid and column gowns
Draped and full-skirted gowns
Evening dress codes, explained
- White tie: the most formal. A floor-length ball gown; gloves are traditional.
- Black tie: a floor-length evening gown is the safe choice; an elegant, very dressy cocktail or midi dress is often accepted.
- Black tie optional: a gown, a dressy midi or an elegant cocktail dress all work.
- Cocktail: knee to midi length, dressy fabrics; a full gown is usually too much.
- Evening / formal on a wedding invitation: treat it as black tie optional unless the couple says more.
How to color an evening gown
- One color for the gown, one metal for jewellery and beading.
- Change the fabric, not the color. Fill the gown, then compare satin, velvet and sequin textures and save each.
- Use a darker shade in the folds of a draped or ruffled skirt if you shade by hand.
Oxblood hour
- Burgundy
- Plum
- Gold
- Ink
Deep red velvet with gold jewellery.
Liquid silver
- Silver
- Charcoal
- White
- Ink
Silver and charcoal with a white highlight.
Chartreuse shimmer
- Pistachio
- Olive
- Gold
- Ink
Acid green sequins against black.
Color Evening Atelier in the app
Frequently asked
Are there evening gown coloring pages for adults?
Yes. Evening Atelier in the Color the Look app has nine evening gown coloring pages for adults — mermaid, column and full-skirted gowns in satin, sequins, velvet and lace — for iPhone and iPad.
What should a woman wear to a black tie event?
A floor-length evening gown is the classic choice. Many black tie events also accept a very elegant cocktail or midi dress in a dressy fabric, worn with heels and refined jewellery.
What is the difference between black tie and black tie optional?
Black tie expects formal evening wear — a long gown for women. Black tie optional means formal wear is welcome but an elegant cocktail or midi dress is also fine.
What colors are best for an evening gown?
Deep jewel tones such as burgundy, emerald and sapphire, classic black, metallic silver or gold, and bold red all read as evening. Choose one color for the gown and one metal for accessories.
