woman in a long black dress Velvi - Miriam Tiered Maxi - a romantic satin dress crafted from flowy satin fabric Belladonna Maxi Dress in Black

While a floor-length dress is generally preferred, you can absolutely wear a midi-dress to a black-tie, as long as you follow a few key guidelines

To nail the boho-chic aesthetic that is an enduring go-to favorite at these events, pair cowboy or western boots with flowy floral dresses or tiered ruffle dresses

Sheath dresses are a more modern take on the traditional black tie dress and are suitable for events with a contemporary feel

For inexpensive dressers and nightstands that don't sacrifice quality, look no further than Plank+Beam

Gold short suit Rihanna rocks an all-gold short suit style at the 2015 BET Awards