Black Tie Optional, decoded
Formal, with a little mercy. Black tie is welcomed but not required; just stay firmly in the evening register.
Black tie optional is the host being gracious. A tuxedo or a floor-length gown is absolutely right, but so is a dark suit with a tie or a sophisticated cocktail dress. What is not on the table is reading the word 'optional' as 'casual.' This is still a formal evening; you are simply given a choice of how formal.
The safest read is to dress one notch below full black tie and no further. Think dark suit and elegant tie rather than tuxedo, or a refined cocktail dress and midi rather than a full gown. All of it in evening fabrics, all of it considered.
If you are ever unsure at this code, dress up rather than down. Nobody has regretted being the slightly-more-elegant person in the room.
A formal evening that respects your wardrobe and your travel. Take the latitude; don't abuse it.
The quick reference
Yes
- A tuxedo or floor-length gown if you love them
- A dark, well-cut suit with an elegant tie
- A sophisticated cocktail dress or evening midi
- Evening fabrics and a polished shoe throughout
Skip
- Daytime suits in light or casual cloth
- Sundresses, separates, or anything resort-y
- Bold casual footwear or open sandals
- Reading 'optional' as permission to dress down
Questions
What does black tie optional mean?
Formal, with a little mercy. Black tie is welcomed but not required; just stay firmly in the evening register. Black tie optional is the host being gracious. A tuxedo or a floor-length gown is absolutely right, but so is a dark suit with a tie or a sophisticated cocktail dress. What is not on the table is reading the word 'optional' as 'casual.' This is still a formal evening; you are simply given a choice of how formal.
What should I wear for black tie optional?
Yes to: A tuxedo or floor-length gown if you love them; A dark, well-cut suit with an elegant tie; A sophisticated cocktail dress or evening midi; Evening fabrics and a polished shoe throughout.
What should I avoid?
Hearing 'optional' and arriving in business-casual. The optional part refers to the tuxedo, not to the formality. Skip: Daytime suits in light or casual cloth; Sundresses, separates, or anything resort-y; Bold casual footwear or open sandals; Reading 'optional' as permission to dress down.