What does that REALLY mean nowadays? We are attending a political function for our company. It is black tie optional, there will be a cocktail hour and then dinner, and then a silent and a live auction. So how dressy should my husband and I be? I would think we would dress as if we were going to a formal wedding, yes? This is the first year for this event so I can't ask others what it has been like before, and I don't know anyone else going.
What about something like this? http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/marina-dress-cap-sleev...
If I wore this dress, hubby would wear a formal charcoal or black suit and tie. Thoughts?
the dress is "Marina Dress, Cap Sleeve Lace Cocktail Dress" at macys. It is a gunmetal color. And thanks for your input!
OK, so I ordered that dress and this one....
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/lauren-ralph-lauren-dr... Ralph Lauren%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D107%26ruleId%3D65%26slotId%3D90
Hopefully one will work!!! Thanks all!
The dress you have chosen is fine.
Hubby in a well cut, dark suit, will be fine.
I always hated the ambiguity of black tie optional. LOL
I attend a lot of Black Tie Optional events. Very few men wear Tuxedos anymore. Just a dark suit and tie works, for the most part. If it's a new event for us, then I call someone organizing it to find out if men are really wearing tuxes that night. For the gals, specifically for evening events, both long and short dresses are both common. I tend to see black hose in the evening.
Your link did not work for me, so I can't vote on the dress specifically. Honestly, 90% of the women will wear black :( So if you like to stand out or be noticed a little, wear color. If you want to hang out with the artists of the evening, then go even wilder.
But most importantly, wear a smile!!!
Black Tie Optional, to me, means a VERY NICE business suit for men and a gown for women.
Although now "trends" have changed. So the dress in your link and a nice suit should suffice.
A nice, dark suit and tie for your husband is appropriate. I think "black tie optional" was created because many men simply don't own a tux , but they still want guests to dress very formally.
The same is true with a formal gown, most women don't own these either, so the dress you've picked (or something similar) would be just fine!
Love the dress! Perfect for a black-tie optional event.
That is an adorable dress....
I think that black tie optional means a dark extremely nice suit. Not a sports-coat and khaki's. A matching suit with a jacket and pant of the same material. A white button down shirt or one of a coordinating color to their companions outfit then a nice non obtrusive tie.
A tea length or floor length dress is not so much the fashion nowadays but when I was younger and it was black tie optional it meant no dresses to the knee for women. It had to be below the knee or floor length, hose and heels required.
The fashions have changed and so many garments are blinged out and above the knees. They are still quite formal too.
I think that you and hubby will look very nice but if you are in any doubt call some of the other wives that you'll be in the same group as. If your company has different levels of employees like a mail room up to an executive suite then there are probably going to be people there in pressed jeans and flannel shirts alongside a tuxedo. I think it's up to the wives to chat about what they're wearing and no one be too over dressed or underdressed so they don't stand out. The people planning this party may have the idea that most will be in tux's. It could be what they simply expect. Some of you ladies need to be on the phone about this to the ones in charge and asking them exactly what that means. They might not even have any idea. BUT they might also know exactly what it means and expect higher management to be in formal attire since it's a political event.
I would be on the phone asking then visiting with the other wives comparing notes...
Looks & sounds spot on. Have a great time! :)
The dress is great and a charcoal or black suit for hubby would be perfect.
Enjoy the event!
The dress is fine except as one of the other gals stated - it looks a little low cut for a company function so I would make sure there is no cleavage - you might have to pin it in that area. You need to be careful whenever it's work/company business related. Have fun.
Your dress is perfect. At political events when it is optional most women don't wear the traditional gown...a knee length cocktail dress is the norm. Just make sure that you are not spilling out of the top becaue it looks a tad lowcut. Your DH can wear the suit but if he is somehow and honored guest or speaker he should probably wear a tux.
It means you better be wearing a suit but tux is optional. You better be wearing an evening dress but full length is optional.
That would work. :)
Yep, perfect dress. Wear big jewelry (even if it's not real, people will assume it is at events like this). For black tie optional, a dark suit or tux would work fine for your husband.
That dress is gorgeous!
This means essentially that men need to wear a dark suit and tie, not a dinner jacket. You will have women there in everything from an evening gown to a LBD. I think what you have picked would be considered "cocktail attire" more than "black tie optional". If I was the attendee, I would look for something long.
Just avoid bright colors if you are going with a cocktail dress and wear hose. Have fun!
