Black Tie Optional Attire

One of the most difficult decisions that people have to make, when they have to attend a party or may be an event is the dress that they should wear. This is because each party has a dress etiquette which has to be followed by the guests. Usually most formal events like weddings, business meetings, etc. are said to be black tie events. The black tie attire is where the men are expected to wear a tuxedo complete with pants, white dress shirt, silk bow tie and silk jacket. On the other hand, women are expected to wear a long, preferably floor length gown for the black tie event. Receiving an invitation for a black tie event may become a little problematic for the guests, especially men as not everyone owes a tuxedo. This has caused the introduction of the black tie optional attire for formal events. However, this term has actually caused confusion among people. So, if you have been invited for a black tie optional event, here are some important things that you have to know about black tie optional dress code.

Black Tie Optional - What to Wear

Many people think that black tie optional attire means that they have the freedom to wear anything that they like. However, this is completely untrue and though your host may not ask you to leave the party, wearing casual or informal attire can be considered to be an insult by the hosts. So, it is important for you to learn as to exactly what does black tie optional mean. Here, we will take a look at the appropriate black tie optional etiquette for both men as well as women.

Black Tie Optional for Men
When invited for a black tie event, a person who does not have a tuxedo, either has to buy a new one or rent one for a day. However, with black tie optional attire, the men are given a chance to not wear the tuxedo, if they do not have one or do not want to. However, this does mean that they can wear casual dress or may be a light colored suit. This has to be completely avoided. On the other hand, the black tie optional means that the person should either wear a tuxedo or a very dark suit in colors like black, navy blue or may be gray. The suit should be matched with a bow or a standard tie and appropriate shoes. Though it is absolutely fine to wear a dark suit for a black tie optional event, it has been observed that most people wear a tuxedo. Nevertheless, one gets an option to choose between both the dresses when it comes to such an event. This is also applicable as the appropriate black tie optional wedding attire.

Black Tie Optional for Women
As I said earlier, the black tie event requires a woman to wear a long floor length dress. However, when it comes to black tie optional dress for women, just like men, they are not required to wear the long formal gown. However, unlike men, women have a lot of options for dressing at a black tie optional wedding or any such event. Many women prefer to wear a short, dressy cocktail dress for such events. Other than the cocktail dress, it is also fine to opt for an evening suit. Also, it is a good idea to dress in a nice fitting slacks paired with a glamorous top for a black tie optional party. The color of the dress should be a dark one, preferably black. It is also important to wear the appropriate accessories like high-heeled shoes, jewelry, etc. with the dress to look perfect. More on black tie attire for women.

I hope this article on black tie optional attire has been helpful for you in choosing the correct attire. An important thing that you have to remember is that it is necessary to match your attire with your partner's when you attend a black tie optional event. In other words, if your partner is wearing a long, formal gown, it is important that you wear a tuxedo and vice versa. Now, as you know what you are expected to wear for a black tie optional event, dress accordingly so that you do not feel out of place at the event.